Incorporation of nanomaterials into delivery systems of antioxidants: A review

Abstract

Antioxidants have been considered a potential component that can enhance functions of food since these agents have pharmacological activities for multiple chronic disorders such as cancer, diabetes cardiovascular diseases, and age-related diseases. However, due to their low solubility, unstable during processing or storage, and chemical degradation, antioxidants have a limitation on bioavailability when applied in food products. Nanocarriers may assist in delivery of these components without changing good therapeutic properties by their unique physicochemical characteristic, structural characteristics and biological compatibility. Recently, lipid-based and polysaccharides-based nanocarriers have been explored as promising delivery systems of antioxidants by oral route. Positive results obtained across these nano-deliveries could give us new spreading methods for implication of antioxidants in therapeutic functions of foods.