Food-Grade Biopolymers as Efficient Delivery Systems for Nutrients: An Overview

Abstract

The technological advancements in the field of food and nutrition have made the development of functional foods/nutraceuticals an easier task. Globally, researchers are in the process of isolating biomolecules of potential health significance from natural sources and subjecting to various in vitro and in vivo assays to investigate its feasibility as a functional food ingredient. However, incorporation of many such biomolecules into food systems often faces difficulties owing to the issues associated with its stability, bioavailability and sustained release. Such problems can be easily addressed through the use of efficient delivery systems that guarantees the safety, stability and sustained release of the nutrients. Such delivery systems are often referred to as ‘encapsulation systems’. Till date, a wide variety of biopolymers such as proteins, polysaccharides, protein-polysaccharide conjugates, maillard products, natural gums, structurally modifed polysaccharides etc. are being employed for delivery of nutrients. Reports says that the success of encapsulation to a greater extent depends on the prudent selection of food grade biopolymers which can deliver the nutrients effectively. In the present review, a comprehensive list of food grade biopolymers used as delivery systems for nutrients is discussed in detail.