Nanostructured Lipid-Based Delivery Systems as a Strategy to Increase Functionality of Bioactive Compounds

Abstract

Acquisition of a healthy lifestyle through diet has driven the food manufacturing industry to produce new food products with high nutritional quality. In this sense, consumption of bioactive compounds has been associated with a decreased risk of suffering chronic diseases. Nonetheless, due to their low solubility in aqueous matrices, high instability in food products during processing and preparation as well as poor bioavailability, the use of such compounds is sometimes limited. Recent advancements in encapsulation and protection of bioactive compounds has opened new possibilities for the development of novel food products. In this direction, the present review is attempting to describe encapsulation achievements, with special attention to nanostructured lipid-based delivery systems, i.e., nanoemulsions, multi-layer emulsions and liposomes. Functionality of bioactive compounds is directly associated with their bioavailability, which in turn is governed by several complex processes, including the passage through the gastrointestinal tract and transport to epithelial cells. Therefore, an overview of recent research on the properties of these nanostructured lipid-based delivery systems with a strong impact on the functionality of bioactive compounds will be also provided. Nanostructured lipid-based delivery systems might be used as a potential option to enhance the solubility, stability, absorption and, ultimately, functionality of bioactive compounds. Several studies have been performed in this line, modifying the composition of the nanostructures, such as the lipid-type or surfactants. Overall, influencing factors and strategies to improve the efficacy of encapsulated bioactive compounds within nanostructures have been successfully identified. This knowledge can be used to design effective targeted nanostructured lipid-based delivery systems for bioactive compounds. However, there is still a lack of information on food interactions, toxicity and long-term consumption of such nanostructures.

Effect of Hesperidin on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: The Role of Intestinal Microbiota on Hesperidin Bioavailability

“…In recent years, several delivery nanocarrier-based formulations have been developed to modulate the release of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols such as catechins, quercetin, eugenol, epigallocatechin, curcumin, and tea polyphenols, demonstrating improvements in the solubility of these bioactive molecules, improving their bioavailability, absorption, and biological effects [155,156]. In this sense, in the past years, nanosuspensions, polymeric nanoparticles, nanocapsules, nanofibrous scaffolds, nanoemulsions, and nanoliposomes, among others, have been investigated to deliver polyphenols and improve its bioavailability and bioactivity [155,157]. However, concerns related to the nanoencapsulation of polyphenols have been reported, due to their varying structures, solubility, and fast oxidation under basic conditions [155].…”

Chitosan-Based Anti-Oxidation Delivery Nano-Platform: Applications in the Encapsulation of DHA-Enriched Fish Oil

“…Reducing exposure to oxygen is one way to avoid the oxidation of fish oils. The encapsulation of lipophilic compounds in biocompatible materials with a nano-technique is a feasible means for achieving this purpose [ 10 , 11 ]. As a result, the encapsulation of CBLO can improve its stability, helping to avoid irradiation, oxidation, and thermal degradation while reducing the fishy smell.…”

Delivery of β-carotene to the in vitro intestinal barrier using nanoemulsions with lecithin or sodium caseinate as emulsifiers

“…As a solution, recent studies have revealed the use of nanostructured delivery systems such as nanoemulsions to encapsulate and protect β-carotene after oral consumption and enhance its delivery to intestinal barrier (Chen, Li, Li, McClements, & Xiao, 2017;Gasa-Falcon et al, 2020;Yi, Zhong, Zhang, Yokoyama, & Zhao, 2015). Β-carotene enriched nanoemulsions stabilised with pectin, lecithin, sodium caseinate, Tween 20 or sucrose palmitate, have been subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) and the subsequent release of β-carotene has been determined (Gasa-Falcon et al, 2019;Salvia-Trujillo et al, 2013;Teixé-Roig et al, 2020).…”