Application of starch-based nanoparticles and cyclodextrin for prebiotics delivery and controlled glucose release in the human gut: a review

Abstract

Starches are a major constituent of staple foods and are the main source of energy in the human diet (55-70%). In the gastrointestinal tract, starches are hydrolyzed into glucose by α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which leads to a postprandial glucose elevation. High levels of blood glucose levels over sustained periods may promote type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Increasing consumption of starchy foods with a lower glycemic index may therefore contribute to improved health. In this paper, the preparation and properties of several starch-based nanoparticles (SNPs) and cyclodextrins (CDs) derivatives are reviewed. In particular, we focus on the various mechanisms responsible for the ability of these edible nanomaterials to modulate glucose release and the gut microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract. The probiotic functions are achieved through encapsulation and protection of prebiotics or bioactive components in foods or the human gut. This review therefore provides valuable information that could be used to design functional foods for improving human health and wellbeing.

Keywords:

• Nanoparticles
• diabetes
• probiotic function
• delivery
• blood glucose control

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20210458), The National Key Research and Development Program of China (2020YFC1606804), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (JUSRP121006), National First-class Discipline Program of Food Science and Technology (JUFSTR20180203) and Speical Support for Post-doc Creative Funding in Shangdong Province (2020003072)

Conflicts of interest

No conflicts of interest are declared for any of the authors.

Author contributions

Yuwan Liu and Chao Qiu are equal contributors.