The growing demand for bioactive compounds in functional foods faces critical challenges in stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Natural macromolecules (proteins, polysaccharides) have emerged as promising delivery vehicles due to their biocompatibility, tunable functionality, and sustainability. Recent advances in structural modification techniques (e.g., Maillard conjugation, enzymatic crosslinking) and novel processing methods (electrospinning, 3D printing) have revolutionized their application in nutrient delivery. However, key challenges remain in precise release control, industrial scalability, and understanding structure-function relationships under physiological conditions.
This Research Topic aims to bridge the gap between foundational research and practical implementation in natural macromolecule-based delivery systems. We aim to gather pioneering studies focusing on novel encapsulation techniques tailored for thermolabile bioactive compounds, stimuli-responsive release mechanisms, advanced characterization tools, and the integration of these technologies within functional foods and nutraceuticals. Various research endeavors seek to unravel the complexities of these systems by evaluating pivotal questions, testing innovative hypotheses, and exploring high-impact applications that hold the potential to revolutionize the field of nutrition science.
To gather further insights into natural macromolecule-based delivery systems, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
● Protein-based nanocarriers (casein, zein, legume proteins)
● Polysaccharide matrices (chitosan, alginate, pectin derivatives)
● Hybrid protein-polysaccharide complexes
● In vitro/in vivo digestion models for release kinetics
● Computational modeling of carrier-bioactive interactions
● Industrial-scale production technologies
● Stability enhancement during processing/storage
● Bioaccessibility assessment methodologies
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Brief Research Report
- Clinical Trial
- Conceptual Analysis
- Data Report
- Editorial
- General Commentary
- Hypothesis and Theory
- Methods
- Mini Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
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Keywords: protein-polysaccharide complexes, bioactive encapsulation, delivery systems, controlled release
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
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