Biopolymeric Nanoparticles

The fabrication of encapsulation systems may be carried through mechanical processes, in general based on a top-down approach to the disruption of larger systems into homogeneously sized particles or droplets with desired properties, or by physicochemical processes, based on a bottom-up approach to the assembling of molecular building blocks into structured systems (i.e., micelles, microemulsions, and some biopolymeric nanoparticles), as well as by a mixed approach, where molecular assembly and comminution processes are combined together (i.e., liposomes, multilayer emulsions, and some biopolymeric nanoparticles). 

Biopolymeric nanoparticles still need more R D efforts for their development and large-scale production and implementation. 

Sundar S., Kundu J. and Kundu S. C. (2010). Biopolymeric nanoparticles. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 11(1). 

Sundar S, Kundu J, Kundu SC (2010) Biopolymeric nanoparticles. Sci Technol Adv Mater 11 014104-014114... 

N. Rescignano, M. Amelia, A. Credi, J.M. Kenny, and I. Armentano, Morphological and thermal behavior of porous biopolymeric nanoparticles, Eur. Polym. J., 48,1152-9, 2012. 

Sundar S, Kundu J, Kundu SC (2010) Biopolymeric nanoparticles. Sd Technol Adv Mater 11 (1) 014104. doi 10.1088/1468-6996/11/1/014104 Thakur VK, Kessler MR (2014a) Free radical induced graft copolymtaization of ethyl acrylate onto SOY for multifunctional materials. Mater Today Commun. doi 10.1016. mteonun.2014. 09.003... 

As described in Sect. 2.1, cyanine dyes can form J-aggregates that are characterized by sharp red-shifted absorbance and fluorescence compared with the monomer. As discussed in the introduction, J-aggregates can form on inorganic nanoparticles or microspheres as well as within polymeric ensembles. Other studies have indicated that cyanines can self-assemble on biopolymeric scaffolds to form aggregates with properties that depend on the structure of the host. 

With a typical size ranging from nanometric (<100 nm) to submicrometric (<1 pm), biopolymeric particles and nanoparticles, made of proteins or polysaccharides, thanks to their excellent compatibility with foods, are able to efficiently encapsulate, protect and deliver bioactive compounds, forming different structures, such as random coils, sheets, or rods around the bioactive molecules. The most suitable biopolymers for the incorporation into foods include (1) proteins, such as whey proteins, casein, gelatin, soy protein, zein, and (2) polysaccharides, such as starch, cellulose, and other hydrocolloids, with the particle formulation depending on the desired particle functionality (size, morphology, charge, permeability, environmental stability), on end product compatibility and in general in product behavior, as well as on release properties and in body behavior. 

Biopolymeric nanocomposites can be easily made using nanoparticles that are derived from biobased polymers. This is an added advantage in terms of reducing inorganic content in the nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties and without affecting inherent biodegradability. 

Biopolymeric Micro- and Nanoparticles Preparation, Characterization and Industrial Applications... 

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