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Nanoencapsulation and delivery of bioactive ingredients using zein nanocarriers: approaches, characterization, applications, and perspectives

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Abstract

Zein has garnered widespread attention as a versatile material for nanosized delivery systems due to its unique self-assembly properties, amphiphilicity, and biocompatibility characteristics. This review provides an overview of current approaches, characterizations, applications, and perspectives of nanoencapsulation and delivery of bioactive ingredients within zein-based nanocarriers. Various nanoencapsulation strategies for bioactive ingredients using various types of zein-based nanocarrier structures, including nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanoemulsions, and nanogels, are discussed in detail. Factors affecting the stability of zein nanocarriers and characterization methods of bioactive-loaded zein nanocarrier structures are highlighted. Additionally, current applications of zein nanocarriers loaded with bioactive ingredients are summarized. This review will serve as a guide for the selection of appropriate nanoencapsulation techniques within zein nanocarriers and a comprehensive understanding of zein-based nanocarriers for specific applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries.

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Fig. 1

Adapted with permission from Peñalva et al. (2015). Copyright 2015, Elsevier; Adapted with permission from Wang et al. (2022). Copyright 2022, Elsevier; Adapted with permission from Fereydouni et al. (2021) (CC BY 4.0). Copyright 2021, Springer Nature

Fig. 2
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Fig. 4

Adapted with permission from Dima et al. (2020). Copyright 2020, John Wiley and Sons

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Acknowledgements

Y. Lei would like to thank Chinese Scholarship Council for the support.

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  1. Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Yanlin Lei

  2. Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University at Pullman, Pullman, WA, 203, L.J. Smith Hall, 1935 E. Grimes Way99164-6120, USA

    Youngsoo Lee

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Lei, Y., Lee, Y. Nanoencapsulation and delivery of bioactive ingredients using zein nanocarriers: approaches, characterization, applications, and perspectives. Food Sci Biotechnol 33, 1037–1057 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-023-01489-6

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