Controlled bioactive compound delivery systems based on double polysaccharide film-coated microparticles for liquid products and their release behaviors

Preparation and evaluation of microencapsulated delivery system of recombinant interferon alpha protein from rainbow trout

Diseases caused by viruses pose a significant risk to the health of aquatic animals, for which there are presently no efficacious remedies. Interferon (IFN) serving as an antiviral agent, is frequently employed in clinical settings. Due to the unique living conditions of aquatic animals, traditional injection of interferon is cumbersome, time-consuming and labor-intensive. This study aimed to prepare IFN microcapsules through emulsion technique by using resistant starch (RS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). Optimization was achieved using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) response surface technique, followed by the creation of microcapsules through emulsification. With RS at a concentration of 1.27 %, a water‑oxygen ratio of 3.3:7.4, CaCl2 at 13.67 %, CMCS at 1.04 %, the rate of encapsulation can escalate to 80.92 %. Rainbow trout infected with Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and common carp infected with Spring vireemia (SVCV) exhibited a relative survival rate (RPS) of 65 % and 60 % after treated with IFN microcapsules, respectively. Moreover, the microcapsules effectively reduced the serum AST levels and enhanced the expression of IFNα, IRF3, ISG15, MX1, PKR and Viperin in IHNV-infected rainbow trout and SVCV-infected carp. In conclusion, this integrated IFN microcapsule showed potential as an antiviral agent for treatment of viral diseases in aquaculture.

Starch as a Matrix for Incorporation and Release of Bioactive Compounds: Fundamentals and Applications

Due to its abundance in nature and low cost, starch is one of the most relevant raw materials for replacing synthetic polymers in a number of applications. It is generally regarded as non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable and, therefore, a safe option for biomedical, food, and packaging applications. In this review, we focused on studies that report the use of starch as a matrix for stabilization, incorporation, or release of bioactive compounds, and explore a wide range of applications of starch-based materials. One of the key application areas for bioactive compounds incorporated in starch matrices is the pharmaceutical industry, especially in orally disintegrating films. The packaging industry has also shown great interest in using starch films, especially those with antioxidant activity. Regarding food technology, starch can be used as a stabilizer in nanoemulsions, thus allowing the incorporation of bioactive compounds in a variety of food types. Starch also presents potential in the cosmetic industry as a delivery system. However, there are still several types of industry that could benefit from the incorporation of starch matrices with bioactive compounds, which are described in this review. In addition, the use of microbial bioactive compounds in starch matrices represents an almost unexplored field still to be investigated.

Chitosan-based particles for protection of proteins during storage and oral administration

Crosslinked chitosan particles have been developed to improve the storage stability of bioactive proteins and to ensure adequate bioavailability by targeting release to the colon. The characteristics of these chitosan-based particles, formed using different molecular weight chitosans and different anion cross-linkers, were demonstrated using small angle X-ray scattering, ζ-potential, particle size, and morphology. An in vitro release study showed that protein release from the particles in the upper gastrointestinal tract was <30%, suggesting the possibility for target release to the colon. Some of the particles were shown to retain colon-targeted protein delivery after storage in PBS buffer. By controlling the structure of the chitosan-based particles, it was possible to both reduce protein leakage during short-term storage and achieve colon-targeted delivery.