Polysaccharides are regarded as key ingredients to produce bio-based materials in life sciences (e.g., food, cosmetics, pharmaceutics). As natural biomaterials, polysaccharides are highly stable, safe, non-toxic, hydrophilic, and biodegradable. For example, chitosan, starch, alginate and so on are good biocompatible materials. The biodegradability and biocompatibility of polysaccharides, coupled with the large variety of chemical functionalities they encompass, make them promising carriers for nutrient delivery systems. Nutrients are edible substances that ensure the growth, development, reproduction, and maintenance of the human body. However, the efficacy of these bioactive nutrients is often hampered by their poor solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability characteristics.
Polysaccharides are potentially the materials of choice for the development of "smart" delivery systems, which can release at the appropriate time and site of action. Currently, the types of polysaccharide-based carriers used in nutrient delivery systems include micelles, nanoparticles, emulsion, hydrogels, vesicles, etc. In recent years, many studies have been conducted on polysaccharides and their derivatives for their potential application as nutrient delivery systems. Polysaccharide-based food functional factor delivery carriers can improve the solubility and stability of bioactive substances, but the complex physiological environment may hinder the carrier embedding bioactive substances to reach the target site. Therefore, more intelligent, and stable delivery carriers are needed to protect and deliver bioactive substances to the target position.
First, it is necessary to summarize the composition, interaction, fabrication and applications in nutrient delivery of common polysaccharide-based delivery systems in recent years. Then, in addition to designing different delivery systems to explore the stability of bioactive substances under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, researchers should also investigate the interaction between polysaccharide carriers and mucus, the uptake mechanism of carrier cells, the targeted delivery mechanism, the metabolic safety of carrier and the impact on the intestinal flora. At last, it is necessary to explore and formulate delivery strategies of polysaccharide-based materials for controlled nutrient delivery in different parts of the human body.
The contents of this Research Topic include, but are not limited to, the following points:
• Fabrication, characterization, and application of different polysaccharide-based delivery systems (micelles, nanoparticles, hydrogels, vesicles, Pickering emulsion, etc.).
• Evaluation of the efficacy of polysaccharide-based delivery systems using in vitro and in vivo methods (e.g., encapsulation, stabilization, controlled release, bioavailability increase, food matrix compatibility, and application in real foods).
• Targeted release of nutrients in different parts of the human body through a polysaccharide-based delivery system (stomach, small intestine, colon, etc.).
• Research of binary and ternary delivery systems such as protein-polysaccharide systems, lipid-polysaccharide systems, etc.
Polysaccharides are regarded as key ingredients to produce bio-based materials in life sciences (e.g., food, cosmetics, pharmaceutics). As natural biomaterials, polysaccharides are highly stable, safe, non-toxic, hydrophilic, and biodegradable. For example, chitosan, starch, alginate and so on are good biocompatible materials. The biodegradability and biocompatibility of polysaccharides, coupled with the large variety of chemical functionalities they encompass, make them promising carriers for nutrient delivery systems. Nutrients are edible substances that ensure the growth, development, reproduction, and maintenance of the human body. However, the efficacy of these bioactive nutrients is often hampered by their poor solubility, chemical stability, and bioavailability characteristics.
Polysaccharides are potentially the materials of choice for the development of "smart" delivery systems, which can release at the appropriate time and site of action. Currently, the types of polysaccharide-based carriers used in nutrient delivery systems include micelles, nanoparticles, emulsion, hydrogels, vesicles, etc. In recent years, many studies have been conducted on polysaccharides and their derivatives for their potential application as nutrient delivery systems. Polysaccharide-based food functional factor delivery carriers can improve the solubility and stability of bioactive substances, but the complex physiological environment may hinder the carrier embedding bioactive substances to reach the target site. Therefore, more intelligent, and stable delivery carriers are needed to protect and deliver bioactive substances to the target position.
First, it is necessary to summarize the composition, interaction, fabrication and applications in nutrient delivery of common polysaccharide-based delivery systems in recent years. Then, in addition to designing different delivery systems to explore the stability of bioactive substances under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, researchers should also investigate the interaction between polysaccharide carriers and mucus, the uptake mechanism of carrier cells, the targeted delivery mechanism, the metabolic safety of carrier and the impact on the intestinal flora. At last, it is necessary to explore and formulate delivery strategies of polysaccharide-based materials for controlled nutrient delivery in different parts of the human body.
The contents of this Research Topic include, but are not limited to, the following points:
• Fabrication, characterization, and application of different polysaccharide-based delivery systems (micelles, nanoparticles, hydrogels, vesicles, Pickering emulsion, etc.).
• Evaluation of the efficacy of polysaccharide-based delivery systems using in vitro and in vivo methods (e.g., encapsulation, stabilization, controlled release, bioavailability increase, food matrix compatibility, and application in real foods).
• Targeted release of nutrients in different parts of the human body through a polysaccharide-based delivery system (stomach, small intestine, colon, etc.).
• Research of binary and ternary delivery systems such as protein-polysaccharide systems, lipid-polysaccharide systems, etc.