Nano-encapsulation of catechin in starch nanoparticles: Characterization, release behavior and bioactivity retention during simulated in-vitro digestion

Characterization of acid hydrolysis based nano-converted mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) starch for morphological, rheological and thermal properties

Mung bean starch nanocrystals (SNC) were fabricated using acid hydrolysis. The resulting nanocrystals were studied for their morphological, thermal, and rheological properties. Irregular or round-shaped nano-scale crystals with average hydrodynamic diameter of 179 nm obtained after acid hydrolysis. The mung bean SNC revealed a C_B-type crystalline pattern with enhanced crystallinity as studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Lower negative zeta potential was obtained for mung bean SNC as compared to its native starch. Thermal peaks disappeared for nanocrystals, which indicated an increased thermal instability of mung bean SNC. A shear-thinning behavior, even at high concentrations of SNC in the suspension was noticed. The elastic behavior was observed at all studied concentrations and it was independent of the frequency change.

Encapsulation of Catechin into β-Glucan Matrix Using Wet Milling and Ultrasonication as a Coupled Approach: Characterization and Bioactivity Retention

In this study, the nanoencapsulation of catechin into the β-glucan matrix from oats [O-Glu (C)] and barley [B-Glu (C)] was performed using the coupled approach of ultrasonication and wet milling. The nanoencapsulated catechin was characterised by particle size distribution, surface charge, SEM, and FTIR. The particle size was found to be 200 nm and 500 nm while zeta potential was found −27.13 and −24 mV for O-Glu (C) and B-Glu (C), respectively. The encapsulation efficiency of O-Glu (C) and B-Glu (C) was found to be 86.5% and 88.2%. FTIR and SEM revealed successful entrapment of catechin in β-glucan. The encapsulated capsules showed sustainable release during simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Moreover, both O-Glu (C) and B-Glu (C) showed that biological activity such as lipase inhibition activity and antioxidant assay were retained after in vitro digestion. It was concluded that O-Glu (C) and B-Glu (C) can be used as functional ingredients effectively in food as well as in the pharmaceutical field.

Naturally-Sourced Antibacterial Polymeric Nanomaterials with Special Reference to Modified Polymer Variants

Despite the recent advancements in treating bacterial infections, antibiotic resistance (AR) is still an emerging issue. However, polymeric nanocarriers have offered unconventional solutions owing to their capability of exposing more functional groups, high encapsulation efficiency (EE) and having sustained delivery. Natural polymeric nanomaterials (NMs) are contemplated one of the most powerful strategies in drug delivery (DD) in terms of their safety, biodegradability with almost no side effects. Every nanostructure is tailored to enhance the system functionality. For example, cost-effective copper NPs could be generated in situ in cellulose sheets, demonstrating powerful antibacterial prospects for food safety sector. Dendrimers also have the capacity for peptide encapsulation, protecting them from proteolytic digestion for prolonged half life span. On the other hand, the demerits of naturally sourced polymers still stand against their capacities in DD. Hence, Post-synthetic modification of natural polymers could play a provital role in yielding new hybrids while retaining their biodegradability, which could be suitable for building novel super structures for DD platforms. This is the first review presenting the contribution of natural polymers in the fabrication of eight polymeric NMs including particulate nanodelivery and nanofabrics with antibacterial and antibiofilm prospects, referring to modified polymer derivatives to explore their full potential for obtaining sustainable DD products.

Preparation and characterization of quinoa starch nanoparticles as quercetin carriers

Quinoa starch nanoparticles (QSNPs) prepared by nanoprecipitation method under the optimal condition was developed as a carrier for quercetin. The QSNPs prepared under the optimal condition (90 DMSO/H₂O ratio, 10 ethanol/solvent ratio, and ultrasonic oscillation dispersion mode) had the smallest particle size and polymer dispersity index through full factorial design. Compared with maize starch nanoparticles (MSNPs), QSNPs exhibited a smaller particle size of 166.25 nm and a higher loading capacity of 26.62%. Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) interacted with quercetin through hydrogen bonding. V-type crystal structures of SNPs were disappeared and their crystallinity increased after loading with quercetin. QSNPs was more effective in protecting and prolonging quercetin bioactivity because of their small particle sizes and high loading capacities. This study will be useful for preparing starch-based carrier used to load sensitive bioactive compounds.

Effect of nano-conversion on morphological, rheological and thermal properties of barley starch

The aim of the present study was to synthesize biodegradable starch nanoparticles (SNP's) from a renewable source like barley starch and to characterize for morphological, crystalline, thermal, and rheological properties. Acid hydrolysis transformed A+V-type round or disc-shaped native starch (NS) granules with an average width of 10 µm and the average length of 22 µm into round or irregular shaped A-type SNP's with an average size of 64 nm with the crystallinity enhanced from 41.75 to 48.08%. The zeta potential of NS and SNP's was - 17.7 and - 21.4 nm, respectively, with the higher stability of SNP's. The gelatinization temperature increased while melting decreased after nano conversion of barley starch. The storage and loss moduli of 12 and 15% suspension of SNP's remained unchanged with a change in angular frequency (0.1-10 rad-s), which indicated a greater tendency to recover after deformation, while 20% SNP's suspension behaved like a viscous fluid. The flow behavior test demonstrated a shear-thinning behavior of SNP's suspension.

Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides self-assembled nanoparticles for delivery of quercetin and their anti-proliferative activities during gastrointestinal digestion in vitro

In this study, the self-assembled nanoparticles based on Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides (QC-HSP NPs) were fabricated to encapsulate quercetin for improving its bioavailability. The structural characteristics, physicochemical properties as well as the cytotoxicity activities of QC-HSP NPs during gastrointestinal digestion in vitro were respectively investigated. The results showed that QC-HSP NPs possessed the spherical and smooth surface morphology, with the average particle size of 360 nm and zeta potential of -38.8 mV. Moreover, QC-HSP NPs had excellent physiochemical stabilities, and presented sustained-release characteristics during gastrointestinal digestion in vitro. Compared with undigested ones, QC-HSP NPs after gastrointestinal digestion exhibited the more significant anti-proliferative activity on HeLa cells through accumulation of intracellular ROS, arrest of cell cycle at G2/M phase by regulation of cyclin B1, CDK1, p53 and p21 and induction of apoptosis by ER apoptosis pathway. This study provides a new strategy for designing quercetin-loaded nanoparticles based on natural polysaccharides to improve the bioavailability of quercetin.

Biocompatible Nanomaterials in Food Science, Technology, and Nutrient Drug Delivery: Recent Developments and Applications

Nanomaterials exist as potential biocompatible materials in nature and are being synthesized to provide extraordinary characteristics in various food industry sectors. Synthesis of biocompatible nanomaterials requires modification in the shape, density, and size of nanomaterials. Biocompatible nanomaterials are synthesized to reduce toxicity, decrease adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract, and enhance immune response. Nanomaterials can target organs and tissues. Nanomaterials are found to be effectively compatible by interacting with functional foods and nutraceuticals. Applications of these nanomaterials are novel strategies in food industries such as food safety, food processing, food quality, food packaging, and food labeling. Various functions like detection of toxins and pathogens; production of biocompatible packaging; enhancement in color, flavor, and aroma; processing edible film, and sensing authenticity of food product are being accomplished with no toxicity. This review provides a systematic study on the biocompatibility of nanomaterials. It highlights the synthesis of biocompatible nanomaterials and advanced functions of these nanomaterials in the production area, processing industry, safety improvement, quality control, edible packaging films, biocompatibility, current developments, legislations and regulations for Nano-products, health and safety concerns, toxicity and public perceptions for use of nanomaterials.

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

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.

Camel milk-derived probiotic strains encapsulated in camel casein and gelatin complex microcapsules: Stability against thermal challenge and simulated gastrointestinal digestion conditions

Probiotics have received increased attention due to their nutritional and health-promoting benefits. However, their viability is often impeded during food processing as well as during their gastrointestinal transit before reaching the colon. In this study, probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus MF00960, Pediococcus pentosaceus MF000967, and Lactobacillus paracasei DSM20258 were encapsulated within sodium alginate, camel casein (CC), camel skin gelatin (CSG) and CC:CSG (1:1 wt/wt) wall materials. All 3 strains in encapsulated form showed an enhanced survival rate upon simulated gastrointestinal digestion compared with free cells. Among the encapsulating matrices, probiotics embedded in CC showed higher viability and is attributed to less porous structure of CC that provided more protection to entrapped probiotics cells. Similarly, thermal tolerance at 50°C and 70°C of all 3 probiotic strains were significantly higher upon encapsulation in CC and CC:CSG. Scanning electron microscope micrographs showed probiotic strains embedded in the dense protein matrix of CC and CSG. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that CC- and CSG-encapsulated probiotic strains exhibited the amide bands with varying intensity with no significant change in the structural conformation. Probiotic strains encapsulated in CC and CC:CSG showed higher retention of inhibitory properties against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, pancreatic lipase, and cholesteryl esterase compared with free cells upon exposure to simulated gastrointestinal digestion conditions. Therefore, CC alone or in combination with CSG as wall materials provided effective protection to cells, retained their bioactive properties, which was comparable to sodium alginate as wall materials. Thus, CC and CC:CSG can be an efficient wall material for encapsulation of probiotics for food applications.

Nano-encapsulation of polyphenols in starch nanoparticles: fabrication, characterization and evaluation

Nanoparticles are more promising than microcapsules as drug carriers because they can be absorbed directly by intestinal epithelial cells, significantly increasing the uptake and bioaccessibility of polyphenols.

Nanoencapsulation of hydroxytyrosol in chitosan crosslinked with sodium bisulfate tandem ultrasonication: Techno-characterization, release and antiproliferative properties

This research includes production of chitosan nanocapsules through ionic gelation with sodium bisulfate for nanoencapsulation of hydroxytyrosol (HT) using ultrasonication in tandem. The resulting nanocapsules encapsulating HT were analyzed for particle size, ζ-potential, packaging characteristics, FESEM, ATR-FTIR, XRD, DSC, in vitro release, antioxidant potential and antiproliferative properties. The nanocapsules (size 119.50-365.21 nm) were spherical to irregular shaped with positive ζ-potential (17.50-18.09 mV). The encapsulation efficiency of 5 mg/g HT (HTS1) and 20 mg/g HT (HTS2) was 77.13% and 56.30%, respectively. The nanocapsules were amorphous in nature with 12.34% to 15.48% crystallinity and crystallite size between 20 nm and 27 nm. Formation of nanocapsules resulted in increasing the glass transition temperature. HTS2 delivered 67.12% HT (HTS1 58.89%) at the end of the simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The nanoencapsulated HT showed higher antioxidant and antiproliferative (against A549 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines) properties than the free HT.

Development and characterization of catechin-in-cyclodextrin-in-phospholipid liposome to eradicate MRSA-mediated surgical site infection: Investigation of their anti-infective efficacy through in vitro and in vivo studies

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the prime pathogens responsible for surgical site infection (SSI). Treatment of SSI remains challenging because of resistant nature of MRSA, which is a major threat in recent years. Our previous work revealed the antibacterial potential of catechin isolated from cashewnut shell against MRSA. However, the application of catechin to treat MRSA-mediated SSI is hampered because of its poor solubility and low trans-dermal delivery. Hence, the present study focused on developing catechin-in-cyclodextrin-in-phospholipid liposome (CCPL) and evaluating its physicochemical characteristics and anti-infective efficacy through in vitro and in vivo models. Encapsulation of catechin with β-cyclodextrin and soybean lecithin was confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, and XRD techniques, while TEM imaging revealed the size of CCPL (206 nm). The CCPL displayed a higher level of water solubility (25.13%) and in vitro permeability (42.14%) compared to pure catechin. A higher level of encapsulation efficiency (98.9%) and antibacterial activity (19.8 mm of ZOI and 31.25 μg/mL of MIC) were noted in CCPL compared to the catechin/cyclodextrin complex. CCPL recorded significant and dose-dependent healing of the incision, significant reduction of bacterial count, improved epithelization, and effective prevention of inflammation in skin samples of SSI-induced Balb/c mice. Data of the present work suggest that the CCPL could be considered as a novel and potential candidate to mitigate MRSA-mediated SSI after clinical trials.

Protection and Controlled Gastrointestinal Release of Bromelain by Encapsulating in Pectin-Resistant Starch Based Hydrogel Beads

Hybrid pectin and resistant starch–based hydrogel beads loaded with bromelain using the extrusion gelation method were prepared and evaluated to enhance the activity of bromelain during gastrointestinal passage and thermal processing. The solutions of pectin–resistant starch with bromelain were dropped into the gelation bath containing calcium chloride (0.2 M) solution to develop various types of hydrogel beads. The physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized hydrogel beads were evaluated. The ratio (4.5:1.5 w/w) of pectin and resistant starch concentration significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the encapsulation efficiency (80.53%). The presence of resistant starch resulted in increased entrapment of bromelain, improved swelling properties with sustained release behavior, and improved gastric stability than pectin hydrogels alone. The swelling of hydrogel beads was higher at pH 7.4 than pH 1.2. Optimized batch of hybrid pectin/resistant starch exhibited a spherical shape. Optical and scanning electron microscopy showed a more packed and spherical shape from the pectin/resistant starch hydrogel bead network. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy was also used to confirm the presence of bromelain in the hydrogel beads. The encapsulated bromelain in the pectin/hi-maize starch beads produced at a pectin/hi-maize ratio of 4.5:1.5 (percent w/w; formulation P4) obtained the highest relative bromelain activity in all heat treatments including at 95°C, whereas the highest activity of free bromelain was found only at 30°C. Bromelain encapsulated in hydrogels released at a faster rate at simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.4) than at simulated gastrointestinal fluid (SGF, pH 1.2).

Conjoint application of ultrasonication and redox pair mediated free radical method enhances the functional and bioactive properties of camel whey-quercetin conjugates

Ultrasonication, redox-pair generated free radical method and their combination (Ultrasonication/redox-pair method) was used for production of camel whey-quercetin conjugates. FTIR and SDS-PAGE confirmed successful production of whey-quercetin conjugates using ultrasonication and ultrasonication/redox-pair method. FTIR suggested existence of covalent (appearance of new peak at 3399 cm-1) and non-covalent linkages (shifting of peak at 3271 cm-1, 1655 cm-1 (amide I), 1534 cm-1 and 1422 cm-1 (Amide II)) in the whey-quercetin conjugates. Moreover, SDS-PAGE of conjugates produced by ultrasonication as well redox-pair method indicated shifting of protein bands slightly towards high molecular weight due to increase in the mass of proteins due to the binding of polyphenols. All conjugates showed improved techno-functional and bioactive properties in comparison to whey proteins. Conjugates produced through ultrasonication showed smaller particle size, improved solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties while conjugates produced through ultrasonication/redox-pair method depicted superior antioxidant properties in comparison to whey. Furthermore, conjugated samples showed higher inhibition of enzymatic markers involved in diabetes and obesity with highest potential recorded in conjugates produced using ultrasonication. Therefore, ultrasonication can be successfully used individually as well as in combination with redox-pair for production of whey-quercetin conjugates with enhanced bioactive and techno-functional properties.

Red Wine High-Molecular-Weight Polyphenolic Complex: An Emerging Modulator of Human Metabolic Disease Risk and Gut Microbiota

Moderate red wine consumption has been linked to reduced chronic disease risk. Thus far, little has been known about the physicochemical properties and potential biological effects of high-molecular-weight polyphenolic complexes (HPPCs), a major fraction of red wine polyphenols. In this work, the stability and biochemical properties of HPPCs under simulated gastrointestinal conditions in vitro were studied. The results showed that HPPCs were resistant to simulated gastric digestion (SGD) and simulated intestinal digestion (SID). They exhibited significant inhibitory activity against key metabolic syndrome-associated digestive enzymes, achieving 17.1-90.9% inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase, lipase, and cholesterol esterase at 0.02-0.45 mg/mL. HPPCs were metabolized by gut microbiota (GM), leading to significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity when compared with the original, SGD, and SID samples. Furthermore, they favorably modulated GM profiles, which was accompanied by significantly increased short-chain fatty acid generation during the early colonic fermentation phase. These findings suggest that HPPCs are a promising modulator of human metabolic disease risk.

Inhibitory properties of polyphenols in Malus "Winter Red" crabapple fruit on α-glucosidase and α-amylase using improved methods

To explore the inhibitory activity of polyphenols on α-glucosidase and α-amylase, 16 polyphenols were isolated, identified, and quantified in an edible Malus "Winter Red" crabapple fruit. The limitations of two traditional methods for α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity assay in vitro were assayed. An improved method based on an HPLC assay for α-glucosidase and a colorimetric method coupled with a custom-made mini-column for α-amylase were established. Compared with positive controls, acarbose and miglito, most polyphenols, especially the four aglycones (cyanidin, quercetin, phloretin, and 3-hydroxyphloretin) showed higher inhibition rates on α-glucosidase. None of the polyphenols showed higher inhibition rates on α-amylase than acarbose, but most, especially the four aglycones, showed higher inhibition rates on α-amylase than miglito. The Malus Winter Red fruit has great potential for postprandial blood glucose management as a potential diet therapy for diabetic patients.

Weak Binding of Epigallocatechin to α-Lactalbumin Greatly Improves Its Stability and Uptake by Caco-2 Cells

Improving the stability and bioavailability of catechins is of great importance. Epigallocatechin (EGC), the major catechin in green tea, is a potent antioxidant with numerous attributed health benefits. However, the low permeability and stability limit its enrichment in the diet for preventive medicine. In this study, we explored the interaction of EGC and α-lactalbumin by spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and crystallographic methods. The isothermal titration calorimetry experiments elucidated that α-lactalbumin binds to EGC at a ratio of 1:1 with a low affinity of (4.01 ± 0.11) × 10⁵ M^-1. A crystal structure solved at a high resolution (1.2 Å) provided direct evidence for the weak interaction between EGC and α-lactalbumin at an atomic level. The novel binding site was discovered at the exterior surface of α-lactalbumin for the first time, supporting a new binding behavior. Consequently, our results demonstrated that the binding of α-lactalbumin to EGC could protect EGC against light-induced, thermal-induced, and pH-induced damage. More importantly, the formed complex has better bioaccessibility than unbound EGC, which was approved by a cell absorption experiment. Such research is beneficial for designing protein-based nanocarriers for polyphenols.

Enhancement of bioavailability and bioactivity of diet-derived flavonoids by application of nanotechnology: a review

Flavonoids, which are a class of polyphenols widely existing in food and medicine, have enormous pharmacological effects. The functional properties of flavonoids are mainly distributed to their anti-oxidative, anticancer, and anti-inflammatoryeffects, etc. However, flavonoids' low bioavailability limits their clinical application, which is closely related to their intestinal absorption and metabolism. In addition, because of the short residence time of oral bioactive molecules in the stomach, low permeability and low solubility in the gastrointestinal tract, flavonoids are easy to be decomposed by the external environment and gastrointestinal tract after digestion. To tackle these obstacles, technological approaches like microencapsulation have been developed and applied for the formulation of flavonoid-enriched food products. In the light of these scientific advances, the objective of this review is to establish the structural requirements of flavonoids for appreciable anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, and elucidate a comprehensive mechanism that can explain their activity. Furthermore, the novelty in application of nanotechnology for the safe delivery of flavonoids in food matrices is discussed. After a literature on the flavonoids and their health attributes, the encapsulation methods and the coating materials are presented.

Starch Nanoparticles for Enhancement of Oral Bioavailability of a Newly Synthesized Thienopyrimidine Derivative with Anti-Proliferative Activity Against Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose

This research aimed to improve water solubility and oral bioavailability of a newly synthesized thienopyrimidine derivative (TPD) with anti-pancreatic cancer activity by loading on starch nanoparticles (SNPs).

Methods

TPD was synthesized, purified and its ADME behavior was predicted using Swiss ADME software. A UV spectroscopy method was developed and validated to measure TPD concentration at various dosage forms. SNPs loaded with TPD (SNPs-TPD) were prepared, characterized for particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), entrapment efficiency, in-vitro release, and in-vivo animal study.

Results

The Swiss ADME results showed that TPD can be administered orally; however, it has low oral bioavailability (0.55) and poor water solubility. The significant regression coefficient of the calibration curve (r² = 0.9995), the precision (%RSD < 0.5%) and the accuracy (99.46−101.72%) confirmed the efficacy of the developed UV method. SNPs-TPD had a spherical monodispersed (PDI= 0.12) shape, nanoparticle size (22.98 ± 4.23) and good stability (−21 ± 4.72 mV). Moreover, FT-IR and DSC revealed changes in the physicochemical structure of starch resulting in SNPs formation. The entrapment efficiency was 97% ± 0.45%, and the in-vitro release showed that the SNPs enhanced the solubility of the TPD. The in-vivo animal study and histopathology showed that SNPs enhanced the oral bioavailability of TPD against solid Ehrlich carcinoma.

Conclusion

SNPs-TPD were superior in drug solubility and oral bioavailability than those obtained from TPD suspension.

Natural Bioactive Compounds from Food Waste: Toxicity and Safety Concerns

Although synthetic bioactive compounds are approved in many countries for food applications, they are becoming less and less welcome by consumers. Therefore, there has been an increasing interest in replacing these synthetic compounds by natural bioactive compounds. These natural compounds can be used as food additives to maintain the food quality, food safety and appeal, and as food supplements or nutraceuticals to correct nutritional deficiencies, maintain a suitable intake of nutrients, or to support physiological functions, respectively. Recent studies reveal that numerous food wastes, particularly fruit and vegetables byproducts, are a good source of bioactive compounds that can be extracted and reintroduced into the food chain as natural food additives or in food matrices for obtaining nutraceuticals and functional foods. This review addresses general questions concerning the use of fruit and vegetables byproducts as new sources of natural bioactive compounds that are being addressed to foods as natural additives and supplements. Those bioactive compounds must follow the legal requirements and evaluations to assess the risks for human health and their toxicity must be considered before being launched into the market. To overcome the potential health risk while increasing the biological activity, stability and biodistribution of the supplements' technological alternatives have been studied such as encapsulation of bioactive compounds into micro or nanoparticles or nanoemulsions. This will allow enhancing the stability and release along the gastrointestinal tract in a controlled manner into the specific tissues. This review summarizes the valorization path that a bioactive compound recovered from an agro-food waste can face from the moment their potentialities are exhibited until it reaches the final consumer and the safety and toxicity challenges, they may overcome.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles: potential effects on soil properties, crop production, food processing, and food quality

The use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is expected to increase soil fertility, crop productivity, and food quality. However, the potential effects of ZnO NP utilization should be deeply understood. This review highlights the behavior of ZnO NPs in soil and their interactions with the soil components. The review discusses the potential effects of ZnO NPs on plants and their mechanisms of action on plants and how these mechanisms are related to their physicochemical properties. The impact of current applications of ZnO NPs in the food industry is also discussed. Based on the literature reviewed, soil properties play a vital role in dispersing, aggregation, stability, bioavailability, and transport of ZnO NPs and their release into the soil. The transfer of ZnO NPs into the soil can affect the soil components, and subsequently, the structure of plants. The toxic effects of ZnO NPs on plants and microbes are caused by various mechanisms, mainly through the generation of reactive oxygen species, lysosomal destabilization, DNA damage, and the reduction of oxidative stress through direct penetration/liberation of Zn2+ ions in plant/microbe cells. The integration of ZnO NPs in food processing improves the properties of the relative ZnO NP-based nano-sensing, active packing, and food/feed bioactive ingredients delivery systems, leading to better food quality and safety. The unregulated/unsafe discharge concentrations of ZnO NPs into the soil, edible plant tissues, and processed foods raise environmental/safety concerns and adverse effects. Therefore, the safety issues related to ZnO NP applications in the soil, plants, and food are also discussed.

Innovative Delivery Systems Loaded with Plant Bioactive Ingredients: Formulation Approaches and Applications

Plants constitute a rich source of diverse classes of valuable phytochemicals (e.g., phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids) with proven biological activity (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, etc.). However, factors such as low stability, poor solubility and bioavailability limit their food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. In this regard, a wide range of delivery systems have been developed to increase the stability of plant-derived bioactive compounds upon processing, storage or under gastrointestinal digestion conditions, to enhance their solubility, to mask undesirable flavors as well as to efficiently deliver them to the target tissues where they can exert their biological activity and promote human health. In the present review, the latest advances regarding the design of innovative delivery systems for pure plant bioactive compounds, extracts or essential oils, in order to overcome the above-mentioned challenges, are presented. Moreover, a broad spectrum of applications along with future trends are critically discussed.

Fabrication and characterization of zein-tea polyphenols-pectin ternary complex nanoparticles as an effective hyperoside delivery system: Formation mechanism, physicochemical stability, and in vitro release property

Hyperoside (HYP) has various potential benefits, however, its low water-solubility and poor bioavailability have restricted its application. Here, HYP-loaded zein-tea polyphenols (TP)-pectin ternary complex nanoparticles (Z/TP/P-HYP) were prepared by the antisolvent precipitation method for HYP delivery. The formed Z/TP/P-HYP are negatively charged spherical particles with a size of 246 nm, and have the highest HYP encapsulation efficiency (94.2%) at TP was 0.25 mg/mL. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic effects were major interactions to Z/TP/P-HYP formation. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that encapsulated HYP was in an amorphous state. Freeze-dried Z/TP/P-HYP displayed good water-redispersibility and high particle yield (95.2%). Z/TP/P-HYP exhibited improved pH (2.0-8.0) and ionic (0-500 mM) stability. Furthermore, Z/TP/P-HYP demonstrated stronger antioxidant properties than free HYP and provided HYP sustained release under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, Z/TP/P-HYP have great potential as an effective HYP delivery system for applications in foods.

Lipophilization and amylose inclusion complexation enhance the stability and release of catechin

Catechin is a natural phenolic compound with various bioactivities. However, it is unstable under light and heat environments. Amylose can form a single helical hydrophobic cavity to encapsulate and protect bioactive compounds. In this work, we applied amylose inclusion complexes (IC) to encapsulate a lipophilized catechin, i.e., hexadecyl catechin (HC), to improve its photostability and thermal stability. The formation of amylose-HC IC was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The photostability and thermal stability studies showed that the retention of guest molecules in IC was 86.1% ± 5.1% and 87.4% ± 0.6%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the catechin, HC, and amylose-HC physical mixture groups. Moreover, the in vitro release profile of IC demonstrated a steady and complete release of catechin. The findings show the amylose encapsulation of catechin is a promising technique to preserve bioactive compounds in food.

Synthesis of Starch Nanoparticles and Their Applications for Bioactive Compound Encapsulation

In recent years, starch nanoparticles (SNPs) have attracted growing attention due to their unique properties as a sustainable alternative to common nanomaterials since they are natural, renewable and biodegradable. SNPs can be obtained by the breakdown of starch granules through different techniques which include both physical and chemical methods. The final properties of the SNPs are strongly influenced by the synthesis method used as well as the operational conditions, where a controlled and monodispersed size is crucial for certain bioapplications. SNPs are considered to be a good vehicle to improve the controlled release of many bioactive compounds in different research fields due to their high biocompatibility, potential functionalization, and high surface/volume ratio. Their applications are frequently found in medicine, cosmetics, biotechnology, or the food industry, among others. Both the encapsulation properties as well as the releasing processes of the bioactive compounds are highly influenced by the size of the SNPs. In this review, a general description of the different types of SNPs (whole and hollow) synthesis methods is provided as well as on different techniques for encapsulating bioactive compounds, including direct and indirect methods, with application in several fields. Starches from different botanical sources and different bioactive compounds are compared with respect to the efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Applications and future research trends on SNPs synthesis have been included and discussed.

Impact of dietary polyphenols on neuroinflammation-associated disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and associated dementia typically originate with altered protein folding and aggregation of their β structures in the neurons. This self-aggregation leads to glial activation in the brain, causing neuroinflammation and leads to neuronal death. According to statistics provided by WHO, there are around 50 million people with dementia worldwide and every year, 10 million more cases are projected to increase. Also, around 5-8 percentage of people who are aged above 60 globally has dementia or associated disorders. Over 82 million in 2030 and 152 in 2050 are expected to have dementia. Most of these patients fall into low-middle-income countries which makes it even more essential to find an affordable and effective treatment method. Polyphenols of different origin are studied for their potential role as anti-neuro-inflammatory molecules. This review would summarize recent advances in three widely researched dietary polyphenols projected as potential therapeutic agents for disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc. They are Resveratrol, Catechins, and Tannins. The review would discuss the recent advances and challenges in using these polyphenols using specific examples as potential therapeutic agents against neuroinflammation associated disorders. An abstract of neuroinflammation-associated events and the effects by selected polyphenols.