Nanoparticles: a delivery system for bioactive food components

The delivery systems of bioactive food components through nanoencapsulation provide maximum stability, protection and permit the release of encapsulated compound during mastication and digestion for efficient absorption into the body system. Bioactive compounds are secondary metabolite of plant which forms the constituent of foods or dietary supplements responsible for the health benefit other than provision of basic nutrition. They are grouped into isoprenoids, fatty acids, proteins and amino acids, polysaccharides and minerals. These compounds are found useful in treating coronary heart diseases, inflammation, immune disorder, and psychiatric disorder etc. The use of nanoparticles to deliver a bioactive compound provides greater advantage due to their greater surface to mass ratio and their ability to absorb and carry the compounds to the required destination with minimal destruction, increased absorption and bioavailability. However, the fate of the bioactive compounds depends on its physicochemical properties and release site. Depending on the compatibility of the target bioactive compound, nanoparticles properties and the required application, the delivery system has been grouped as either solid (including lipid nanoparticles, nano-crystals, and polymeric nanoparticles) or liquid system (nanoemulsions, nanoliposomes, and nanopolymersomes).