Micronutrients encapsulation in enhanced nanoliposomal carriers by a novel preparative technology

Journey of dietary fiber along the gastrointestinal tract: role of physical interactions, mucus, and biochemical transformations

Dietary fiber-rich foods have been associated with numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Harnessing the potential to deliver positive health outcomes rests on our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that drive these associations. This review addresses data and concepts concerning plant-based food functionality by dissecting the cascade of physical and chemical digestive processes and interactions that underpin these physiological benefits. Functional transformations of dietary fiber along the gastrointestinal tract from the stages of oral processing and gastric emptying to intestinal digestion and colonic fermentation influence its capacity to modulate digestion, transit, and commensal microbiome. This analysis highlights the significance, limitations, and challenges in decoding the complex web of interactions to establish a coherent framework connecting specific fiber components' molecular and macroscale interactions across multiple length scales within the gastrointestinal tract. One critical area that requires closer examination is the interaction between fiber, mucus barrier, and the commensal microbiome when considering food structure design and personalized nutritional strategies for beneficial physiologic effects. Understanding the response of specific fibers, particularly concerning an individual's physiology, will offer the opportunity to exploit these functional characteristics to elicit specific, symptom-targeting effects or use fiber types as adjunctive therapies.

Natural Food Resource Valorization by Microwave Technology: Purslane Stabilization by Dielectric Heating

The application of microwave-assisted drying is a promising technique due to the features of process sustainability that are usable for responsible productions. It is largely applied for the stabilization of food products, especially in the agro-food sector. In this study, the weed Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane), with its richness in antioxidant components in addition to its recognized pharmacological properties, has been considered due to its potential to be a natural, well-accepted future food. Attention was focused on the role of the heat and mass transfer rates involved in the drying processes on the nutritional profile of the dried products. For this purpose, different drying protocols (convective, microwave irradiation, microwave-vacuum irradiation) were applied to different parts of purslane herb (apical, twigs, entire structures) and chemical characterizations were performed by a GC/MS analysis of the extracts of the dried products. The results show that microwave treatments can assure a better preservation of fatty acids such as SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs (which constitute over 90% of the total components in the apical part, 65% in twigs, and 85% in microwave-vacuum-dried entire purslane samples) and phytosterols (their highest preservation was found in microwave-dried twigs) compared with convective treatments. The chemical composition variability as well as treatment times depend on the drying rates (in microwave treatments, the times are on a minute scale and the rates are up to three orders of magnitude greater than convective ones), which in turn depend on the heating transport phenomena. This variability can lead towards products that are diversified by properties that transform a weed into a valorized food source.

Combination of Nanodelivery Systems and Constituents Derived from Novel Foods: A Comprehensive Review

Novel Food is a new category of food, regulated by the European Union Directive No. 2015/2283. This latter norm defines a food as "Novel" if it was not used "for human consumption to a significant degree within the Union before the date of entry into force of that regulation, namely 15 May 1997". Recently, Novel Foods have received increased interest from researchers worldwide. In this sense, the key areas of interest are the discovery of new benefits for human health and the exploitation of these novel sources of materials in new fields of application. An emerging area in the pharmaceutical and medicinal fields is nanotechnology, which deals with the development of new delivery systems at a nanometric scale. In this context, this review aims to summarize the recent advances on the design and characterization of nanodelivery systems based on materials belonging to the Novel Food list, as well as on nanoceutical products formulated for delivering compounds derived from Novel Foods. Additionally, the safety hazard of using nanoparticles in food products, i.e., food supplements, has been discussed in view of the current European regulation, which considers nanomaterials as Novel Foods.

Current Applications of Liposomes for the Delivery of Vitamins: A Systematic Review

Liposomes have been used for several decades for the encapsulation of drugs and bioactives in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals. On the other hand, the use of these phospholipid vesicles in food applications is more recent and is increasing significantly in the last ten years. Although in different stages of technological maturity-in the case of cosmetics, many products are on the market-processes to obtain liposomes suitable for the encapsulation and delivery of bioactives are highly expensive, especially those aiming at scaling up. Among the bioactives proposed for cosmetics and food applications, vitamins are the most frequently used. Despite the differences between the administration routes (oral for food and mainly dermal for cosmetics), some challenges are very similar (e.g., stability, bioactive load, average size, increase in drug bioaccessibility and bioavailability). In the present work, a systematic review of the technological advancements in the nanoencapsulation of vitamins using liposomes and related processes was performed; challenges and future perspectives were also discussed in order to underline the advantages of these drug-loaded biocompatible nanocarriers for cosmetics and food applications.

Recent advances in encapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins using polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids: A review on delivery systems, formulation, and industrial applications

Fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) offer a range of beneficial properties as important nutrients in human nutrition. However, the high susceptibility to environmental conditions such as high temperature, light, and oxygen leads to the degradation of these compounds. This review highlights the different formulations underlying the encapsulation of FSVs in biopolymer (polysaccharide and protein) and lipid-based micro or nanocarriers for potential applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. In particular, the function of these carrier systems in terms of encapsulation efficiency, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility is critically discussed. Recently, tremendous attention has been paid to encapsulating FSVs in commercial applications. According to the chemical nature of the active compound, the vigilant selection of delivery formulation, method of encapsulation, and final application (type of food) are the key important factors to be considered in the encapsulation of FSVs to ensure a high loading capacity, stability, bioavailability, and bio-accessibility. Future studies are recommended on the effect of different vitamin types and micro and nano encapsulate sizes on bioaccessibility and biocompatibility through in vitro/in vivo studies. Moreover, the toxicity and safety evaluation of encapsulated FSVs in human health should be evaluated before commercial application in food and pharmaceuticals.

A New Productive Approach and Formulative Optimization for Curcumin Nanoliposomal Delivery Systems

The use of natural resources and the enhancing of technologies are outlining the strategies of modern scientific-technological research for sustainable health products manufacturing. In this context, the novel simil-microfluidic technology, a mild production methodology, is exploited to produce liposomal curcumin as potential powerful dosage system for cancer therapies and for nutraceutical purposes. Through simil-microfluidic technology, based on interdiffusion phenomena of a lipid-ethanol phase in an aqueous flow, massive productions of liposomes at nanometric scale can be obtained. In this work, studies on liposomal production with useful curcumin loads were performed. In particular, process issues (curcumin aggregations) were elucidated and formulation optimization for curcumin load was performed. The main achieved result has been the definition of operative conditions for nanoliposomal curcumin production with interesting loads and encapsulation efficiencies.

Encapsulation of Vitamins Using Nanoliposome: Recent Advances and Perspectives

Nowadays the importance of vitamins is clear for everyone. However, many patients are suffering from insufficient intake of vitamins. Incomplete intake of different vitamins from food sources due to their destruction during food processing or decrease in their bioavailability when mixing with other food materials, are factors resulting in vitamin deficiency in the body. Therefore, various lipid based nanocarriers such as nanoliposomes were developed to increase the bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Since the function of nanoliposomes containing vitamins on the body has a direct relationship with the quality of produced nanoliposomes, this review study was planned to investigate the several aspects of liposomal characteristics such as size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency on the quality of synthesized vitamin-loaded nanoliposomes.

Development of Novel Lipid-Based Formulations for Water-Soluble Vitamin C versus Fat-Soluble Vitamin D3

The aim of this study was to develop a facile and novel lipid-based formulation of vitamin C and vitamin D3. Liposomes loaded with vitamin C and D3 were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential measurements for evaluating morphology, particle size and physical stability. HPLC was employed to quantify the content of vitamin C and vitamin D3 in their liposomal forms. The UHPLC analysis of the lipid-based vitamin formulation is an easy and rapid method for the characterization as well as the quantification of all components. In addition, encapsulation efficiency, vitamin loading and stability analysis were performed by the UHPLC method, in order to evaluate the reliability of the optimized lipid-based formulation. The TEM results provided key support for the core type of liposome structure in the formulations, whereas the HPLC results indicated that the liposomal vitamin C and D3 systems were homogeneous, and did not undergo phase separation. Taken together, the results demonstrate that liposomal encapsulated vitamins (vitamin C and D3) possess a unilamellar vesicle morphology with uniform particle size, despite differences in the hydrophile-lipophile profiles of the vitamins. The highly efficient encapsulation properties of such liposomal constructs are proposed to contribute to enhanced vitamin bioavailability.

Advances in Nanofabrication Technology for Nutraceuticals: New Insights and Future Trends

Bioactive components such as polyphenolics, flavonoids, bioactive peptides, pigments, and essential fatty acids were known to ward off some deadliest diseases. Nutraceuticals are those beneficial compounds that may be food or part of food that has come up with medical or health benefits. Nanoencapsulation and nanofabricated delivery systems are an imminent approach in the field of food sciences. The sustainable fabrication of nutraceuticals and biocompatible active components indisputably enhances the food grade and promotes good health. Nanofabricated delivery systems include carbohydrates-based, lipids (solid and liquid), and proteins-based delivery systems. Solid nano-delivery systems include lipid nanoparticles. Liquid nano-delivery systems include nanoliposomes and nanoemulsions. Physicochemical properties of nanoparticles such as size, charge, hydrophobicity, and targeting molecules affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of nano delivery systems. Advance research in toxicity studies is necessary to ensure the safety of the nanofabricated delivery systems, as the safety of nano delivery systems for use in food applications is unknown. Therefore, improved nanotechnology could play a pivotal role in developing functional foods, a contemporary concept assuring the consumers to provide programmed, high-priced, and high-quality research toward nanofabricated delivery systems.

Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery: An Overview with Emphasis on Vitamin D and K Transportation

Mounting evidence shows that supplementation with vitamin D and K or their analogs induces beneficial effects in various diseases, e.g., osteoarticular, cardiovascular, or carcinogenesis. The use of drugs delivery systems via organic and inorganic nanocarriers increases the bioavailability of vitamins and analogs, enhancing their cellular delivery and effects. The nanotechnology-based dietary supplements and drugs produced by the food and pharmaceutical industries overcome the issues associated with vitamin administration, such as stability, absorption or low bioavailability. Consequently, there is a continuous interest in optimizing the carriers' systems in order to make them more efficient and specific for the targeted tissue. In this pioneer review, we try to circumscribe the most relevant aspects related to nanocarriers for drug delivery, compare different types of nanoparticles for vitamin D and K transportation, and critically address their benefits and disadvantages.

Purified mucins in drug delivery research

One of the main challenges in the field of drug delivery remains the development of strategies to efficiently transport pharmaceuticals across mucus barriers, which regulate the passage and retention of molecules and particles in all luminal spaces of the body. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms, which govern such selective permeability, is key for achieving efficient translocation of drugs and drug carriers. For this purpose, model systems based on purified mucins can contribute valuable information. In this review, we summarize advances that were made in the field of drug delivery research with such mucin-based model systems: First, we give an overview of mucin purification procedures and discuss the suitability of model systems reconstituted from purified mucins to mimic native mucus. Then, we summarize techniques to study mucin binding. Finally, we highlight approaches that made use of mucins as building blocks for drug delivery platforms or employ mucins as active compounds.

Biopolymer-liposome hybrid systems for controlled delivery of bioactive compounds: Recent advances

Conventional liposomes still face many challenges associated with the poor physical and chemical stability, considerable loss of encapsulated cargo, lack of stimulus responsiveness, and rapid elimination from blood circulation. Integration of versatile functional biopolymers has emerged as an attractive strategy to overcome the limitation of usage of liposomes. This review comprehensively summarizes the most recent studies (2015-2020) and their challenges aiming at the exploration of biopolymer-liposome hybrid systems, including surface-modified liposomes, biopolymer-incorporated liposomes, guest-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposome, liposome-in-hydrogel, liposome-in-film, and liposome-in-nanofiber. The physicochemical principles and key technical information underlying the combined strategies for the fabrication of polymeric liposomes, the advantages and limitations of each of the systems, and the stabilization mechanisms are discussed through various case studies. Special emphasis is directed toward the synergistic efficiencies of biopolymers and phospholipid bilayers on encapsulation, protection, and controlled delivery of bioactives (e.g., vitamins, carotenoids, phenolics, peptides, and other health-related compounds) for the biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food applications. The major challenges, opportunities, and possible further developments for future studies are also highlighted.

Polymer-Lipid Pharmaceutical Nanocarriers: Innovations by New Formulations and Production Technologies

Some issues in pharmaceutical therapies such as instability, poor membrane permeability, and bioavailability of drugs can be solved by the design of suitable delivery systems based on the combination of two pillar classes of ingredients: polymers and lipids. At the same time, modern technologies are required to overcome production limitations (low productivity, high energy consumption, expensive setup, long process times) to pass at the industrial level. In this paper, a summary of applications of polymeric and lipid materials combined as nanostructures (hybrid nanocarriers) is reported. Then, recent techniques adopted in the production of hybrid nanoparticles are discussed, highlighting limitations still present that hold back the industrial implementation.

Potential of Nanonutraceuticals in Increasing Immunity

Nutraceuticals are defined as foods or their extracts that have a demonstrably positive effect on human health. According to the decision of the European Food Safety Authority, this positive effect, the so-called health claim, must be clearly demonstrated best by performed tests. Nutraceuticals include dietary supplements and functional foods. These special foods thus affect human health and can positively affect the immune system and strengthen it even in these turbulent times, when the human population is exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these special foods are supplemented with nanoparticles of active substances or processed into nanoformulations. The benefits of nanoparticles in this case include enhanced bioavailability, controlled release, and increased stability. Lipid-based delivery systems and the encapsulation of nutraceuticals are mainly used for the enrichment of food products with these health-promoting compounds. This contribution summarizes the current state of the research and development of effective nanonutraceuticals influencing the body's immune responses, such as vitamins (C, D, E, B12, folic acid), minerals (Zn, Fe, Se), antioxidants (carotenoids, coenzyme Q10, polyphenols, curcumin), omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics.

Simil-Microfluidic Nanotechnology in Manufacturing of Liposomes as Hydrophobic Antioxidants Skin Release Systems

Novel nanotechnologies represent the most attractive and innovative tools to date exploited by cosmetic companies to improve the effectiveness of their formulations. In this context, nanoliposomes have had a great impact in topical preparations and dermocosmetics, allowing the transcutaneous penetration and absorption of several active ingredients and improving the stability of sensitive molecules. Despite the recent boom of this class of delivery systems, their industrial production is still limited by the lack of easily scalable production techniques. In this work, nanoliposomes for the topical administration of vitamin D3, K2, E, and curcumin, molecules with high antioxidant and skin curative properties but unstable and poorly absorbable, were produced through a novel simil-microfluidic technique. The developed high-yield semi continuous method is proposed as an alternative to face the problems linked with low productive conventional methods in order to produce antioxidant formulations with improved features. The novel technique has allowed to obtain a massive production of stable antioxidant vesicles of an 84–145 nm size range, negatively charged, and characterized by high loads and encapsulation efficiencies. The obtained products as well as the developed high-performance technology make the achieved formulations very interesting for potential topical applications in the cosmetics/cosmeceutical field.

Coating of Nanolipid Structures by a Novel Simil-Microfluidic Technique: Experimental and Theoretical Approaches

Nanolipid vesicular structures are ideal candidates for the controlled release of various ingredients, from vitamins for nutraceutical purposes to chemoterapic drugs. To improve their stability, permeability, and some specific surface properties, such as mucoadhesiveness, these structures can require a process of surface engineering. The interaction of lipid vesicles with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes seems to be an interesting solution, especially when the negatively charged liposomes are complexed with the cationic chitosan. In this work, a novel simil-microfluidic technique was used to produce both chitosan-coated vesicles and a vegan alternative composed of cholesterol-free liposomes coated by Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Guar-HC). The combination between the experimental approach, based on experimental observations in terms of Z-potential, and size evolutions, and the theoretical approach, based on concepts of saturation, was the methodology applied to define the best polycation concentration to fairly cover (vegan or not) liposomes without aggregation. The smart production of coated nanolipid structures was confirmed by characterizations of morphology, mucoadhesiveness, and stability.