Abstract
Nanotechnology has opened new opportunities for delivering bioactive agents. Their physiochemical characteristics, i.e., small size, high surface area, unique composition, biocompatibility and biodegradability, make these nanomaterials an attractive tool for β-carotene delivery. Delivering β-carotene through nanoparticles does not only improve its bioavailability/bioaccumulation in target tissues, but also lessens its sensitivity against environmental factors during processing. Regardless of these benefits, nanocarriers have some limitations, such as variations in sensory quality, modification of the food matrix, increasing costs, as well as limited consumer acceptance and regulatory challenges. This research area has rapidly evolved, with a plethora of innovative nanoengineered materials now being in use, including micelles, nano/microemulsions, liposomes, niosomes, solidlipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipids and nanostructured carriers. These nanodelivery systems make conventional delivery systems appear archaic and promise better solubilization, protection during processing, improved shelf-life, higher bioavailability as well as controlled and targeted release. This review provides information on the state of knowledge on β-carotene nanodelivery systems adopted for developing functional foods, depicting their classifications, compositions, preparation methods, challenges, release and absorption of β-carotene in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and possible risks and future prospects.
Highlights
Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most diagnosed micronutrient deficiency disorders worldwide, especially in developing countries
The selection of appropriated encapsulation techniques is the key for designing βcarotene delivery vehicles for food systems
Optimized doses of vital food components along with β-carotene, can be achieved using suitable delivery system and food items can be used as a platform for therapeutic as well as nutrient delivery
Summary
Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most diagnosed micronutrient deficiency disorders worldwide, especially in developing countries. The aforesaid stimuli cause the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in oxidative homoeostasis imbalance at cellular and tissue levels, generating oxidative stress [4]. Antioxidants 2021, 10, 426 triggered by an imbalance between the generation and accumulation of ROS. Accruing scientific evidence is accumulating on the involvement of oxidative stress in the occurrence of several health complications, which are attributed to inactivation of metabolic enzymes and damage vital cellular components, oxidization the nucleic acids, resulting in eye disorders, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, joint and bone disorders, neurological diseases (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease) and misfunctioning of different organ including lung, kidney, liver and reproductive system [6]. Cells activate an antioxidant defensive system which primarily includes enzymatic components such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in order to minimize the oxidative stress cell [8]
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