https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:10445 ISSN: 2718-6040 Development of multifunctional natural bioactive systems with improved stability and biological activity is a key challenge in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. Sambucus nigra L. flowers are rich in polyphenols with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties; however, their application is limited by poor stability. Spray-drying microencapsulation represents an effective strategy to overcome this limitation. This study developed spray-dried elderflower extract microparticles using inulin and polydextrose as carriers, individually and in combination. The formulations were evaluated for antioxidant, antidiabetic (α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition), and antimicrobial activities. Microencapsulation successfully preserved biological activity. The free extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 0.27 mg/mL), while inulin-based formulations demonstrated improved α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50 3.66–3.74 mg/mL) compared to the non-encapsulated extract (IC50 4.18 mg/mL). Antimicrobial activity was also confirmed. Overall, the results indicate that inulin- and polydextrose-based microparticles represent promising multifunctional delivery systems for bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications. 2026 Mutavski, Zorana Radan, Milica Stasiłowicz-Krzemień, Anna Mudrić, Jelena Stević, Tatjana Alimpić Aradski, Ana Šavikin, Katarina Cielecka-Piontek, Judyta Ćujić Nikolić, Nada eng Preserving the bioactivity of elderflower through multifunctional microparticles info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceProceedings All rights reserved bioactive stabilization, functional carriers, spray-drying systems application/pdf 972513 bytes Book of abstracts startpage: 89 endpage: 89