Utilization of diverse protein sources for the development of protein-based nanostructures as bioactive carrier systems: A review of recent research findings (2010–2021)

Abstract

Consumer awareness of the relationship between health and nutrition has caused a substantial increase in the demand for nutraceuticals and functional foods containing bioactive compounds (BACs) with potential health benefits. However, the direct incorporation of many BACs into commercial food and beverage products is challenging because of their poor matrix compatibility, chemical instability, low bioavailability, or adverse impact on food quality. Advanced encapsulation technologies are therefore being employed to overcome these problems. In this article, we focus on the utilization of plant and animal derived proteins to fabricate micro and nano-particles that can be used for the oral delivery of BACs such as omega-3 oils, vitamins and nutraceuticals. This review comprehensively discusses different methods being implemented for fabrications of protein-based delivery vehicles, types of proteins used, and their compatibility for the purpose. Finally, some of the challenges and limitations of different protein matrices for encapsulation of BACs are deliberated upon. Various approaches have been developed for the fabrication of protein-based microparticles and nanoparticles, including injection-gelation, controlled denaturation, and antisolvent precipitation methods. These methods can be used to construct particle-based delivery systems with different compositions, sizes, surface hydrophobicity, and electrical characteristics, thereby enabling them to be used in a wide range of applications.

Keywords:

• Bioactive compounds
• encapsulation
• proteins
• nanostructures
• nanotechnology

Acknowledgements

Corresponding author “Sajid Maqsood” would like to thank United Arab Emirates University for sponsoring the “manuscript editing” service for this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

Funding interms of grant number G00003514 (UAEU) is acknowledged.

Author’s contribution

AA: wrote original draft; researched prior studies and interpreted the results; SA: wrote the original draft and compiled the data; SK: drafted a part of the manuscript, compiled the data; DJM: reviewed and edited the original draft, and helped in preparing figures and schematic diagrams; NK: reviewed and edited the original draft, compiled the tables, interpreted the results; SM: designed the concept and prepared the content of the article, reviewed the manuscript, and prepared figures.