Nanoencapsulation of unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids as protection against oxidation: A systematic review and data-mining

Abstract

The chemical structure of unsaturated fatty acids makes them highly prone to oxidation, which decreases their nutritional properties. Nanocarriers have the ability to protect unstable nutraceuticals and take them to their specific targets. Thus, the aim is to determine the effectiveness of nanoencapsulation of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids as protection against oxidation, as well as to apply data-mining approach to identify nanoencapsulation profiles. Three databases were used to search for studies focused on comparing omega-3 encapsulation to the active compound in its raw form. Studies without oxidation test or no use omega 3-rich oil as active ingredient in nanoformulations were excluded. Twenty-three studies were included in the systematic review. The qualitative analysis indicated that the main evaluated parameters were encapsulation efficiency (%), physical-chemical parameters and oxidation (analyzed at different storage temperatures), oil type, and whether the formulation was added to food. With regard to quantitative analysis, studies that did not perform oxidation tests focused on comparing free oil to the encapsulated one were excluded. Data-mining indicated that encapsulation efficiency and particle size were the main characteristic defining nanocarrier’s effectiveness in protecting the oil against oxidation. Nevertheless, it is important to note the main characteristics associated with oil protection in nanocarriers.

Keywords:

• Essential fatty acids
• n-3 oils
• nanotechnology
• systematic reviews as topic
• computer-assisted decision making

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledged the Universidade Franciscana (UFN). Writing assistance was provided by Good Deal Consultoria Linguística in the production of this manuscript and was paid for by the author MCV.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Research Career Fellowship of the CNPq/Brazil under Grant Proc: 311769/2019-5. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.