Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined Risks
Numerous foods, plants, and their bioactive constituents (BACs), named nutraceuticals and phytochemicals by experts, have shown many beneficial effects including antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-cholesterol, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant acti...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-07-01
|
| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/14/2262 |
| _version_ | 1797526238678482944 |
|---|---|
| author | Silvana Alfei Anna Maria Schito Guendalina Zuccari |
| author_facet | Silvana Alfei Anna Maria Schito Guendalina Zuccari |
| author_sort | Silvana Alfei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Numerous foods, plants, and their bioactive constituents (BACs), named nutraceuticals and phytochemicals by experts, have shown many beneficial effects including antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-cholesterol, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. Producers, consumers, and the market of food- and plant-related compounds are increasingly attracted by health-promoting foods and plants, thus requiring a wider and more fruitful exploitation of the healthy properties of their BACs. The demand for new BACs and for the development of novel functional foods and BACs-based food additives is pressing from various sectors. Unfortunately, low stability, poor water solubility, opsonization, and fast metabolism in vivo hinder the effective exploitation of the potential of BACs. To overcome these issues, researchers have engineered nanomaterials, obtaining food-grade delivery systems, and edible food- and plant-related nanoparticles (NPs) acting as color, flavor, and preservative additives and natural therapeutics. Here, we have reviewed the nanotechnological transformations of several BACs implemented to increase their bioavailability, to mask any unpleasant taste and flavors, to be included as active ingredients in food or food packaging, to improve food appearance, quality, and resistance to deterioration due to storage. The pending issue regarding the possible toxic effect of NPs, whose knowledge is still limited, has also been discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:27:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-295630b261d74b68a1b0b4ea268ac1cc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:27:21Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-295630b261d74b68a1b0b4ea268ac1cc2023-11-22T04:45:37ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-07-011314226210.3390/polym13142262Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined RisksSilvana Alfei0Anna Maria Schito1Guendalina Zuccari2Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 6, I-16132 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano, 16148 Genoa, ItalyNumerous foods, plants, and their bioactive constituents (BACs), named nutraceuticals and phytochemicals by experts, have shown many beneficial effects including antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiulcer, anti-cholesterol, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. Producers, consumers, and the market of food- and plant-related compounds are increasingly attracted by health-promoting foods and plants, thus requiring a wider and more fruitful exploitation of the healthy properties of their BACs. The demand for new BACs and for the development of novel functional foods and BACs-based food additives is pressing from various sectors. Unfortunately, low stability, poor water solubility, opsonization, and fast metabolism in vivo hinder the effective exploitation of the potential of BACs. To overcome these issues, researchers have engineered nanomaterials, obtaining food-grade delivery systems, and edible food- and plant-related nanoparticles (NPs) acting as color, flavor, and preservative additives and natural therapeutics. Here, we have reviewed the nanotechnological transformations of several BACs implemented to increase their bioavailability, to mask any unpleasant taste and flavors, to be included as active ingredients in food or food packaging, to improve food appearance, quality, and resistance to deterioration due to storage. The pending issue regarding the possible toxic effect of NPs, whose knowledge is still limited, has also been discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/14/2262nanotechnology applicationbioactive constituents of foodnutraceuticalsphytochemicalsfood-grade NPsfood healthy properties |
| spellingShingle | Silvana Alfei Anna Maria Schito Guendalina Zuccari Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined Risks Polymers nanotechnology application bioactive constituents of food nutraceuticals phytochemicals food-grade NPs food healthy properties |
| title | Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined Risks |
| title_full | Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined Risks |
| title_fullStr | Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined Risks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined Risks |
| title_short | Nanotechnological Manipulation of Nutraceuticals and Phytochemicals for Healthy Purposes: Established Advantages vs. Still Undefined Risks |
| title_sort | nanotechnological manipulation of nutraceuticals and phytochemicals for healthy purposes established advantages vs still undefined risks |
| topic | nanotechnology application bioactive constituents of food nutraceuticals phytochemicals food-grade NPs food healthy properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/14/2262 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT silvanaalfei nanotechnologicalmanipulationofnutraceuticalsandphytochemicalsforhealthypurposesestablishedadvantagesvsstillundefinedrisks AT annamariaschito nanotechnologicalmanipulationofnutraceuticalsandphytochemicalsforhealthypurposesestablishedadvantagesvsstillundefinedrisks AT guendalinazuccari nanotechnologicalmanipulationofnutraceuticalsandphytochemicalsforhealthypurposesestablishedadvantagesvsstillundefinedrisks |