Delivery of phytochemicals by liposome cargos: recent progress, challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Bio-availability is a major concern in delivery of dietary phytochemicals for better bio-efficacy. The reduced bio-availability of food bioactive compounds is evident due to degradation during human digestion process which involves liberation, absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. The bio-efficacy of any nutrient can be increased by increasing bio-availability. Different technologies are available for engineered efficient delivery systems; still many challenges remain with advancement of delivery systems. The ease of preparedness and adaptability of liposomes has resulted in wide-range of applicability and acceptability in scientific field, especially as delivery vehicles. In view, of properties like biocompatibility and biodegradability, liposomes have been modified with different usable methodologies for delivery of phytochemicals. The aim of this review is to abridge liposomes, methods of preparation, their application as delivery cargo in dietary phytochemicals, result of using different preparation techniques on properties.

Keywords:

• Liposomes; delivery systems; encapsulation; phytochemicals; bioactive molecules

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Vivek Ahluwalia thanks Science and Engineering Research Board, New Delhi, India for providing financial support under Fast Track Young Scientist scheme (YSS/2014/000567).