Ultrafine particles derived from fruit pomace exhibit a digestion-triggered self-microencapsulation mechanism that protects polyphenols under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Exposure to salivary and gastric fluids induces the formation of multilamellar lamellae, enhancing antioxidant retention to ~70–75%. TEM analysis confirmed concentric encapsulating layers absent in controls. This spontaneous reorganization, driven by native fibers, polyphenols, and proteins, occurs without synthetic additives, yielding a clean-label encapsulation system. The results position fruit pomace–derived ultrafine particles as biomimetic carriers for stable and sustainable delivery of polyphenols in nutraceutical and functional food applications.
