Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems for Bioactive Compounds

Nanoparticle-based delivery systems employ colloidal carriers with dimensions in the 1–1000 nm range to encapsulate, protect and transport bioactive compounds—including vitamins, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals—across biological barriers. By tailoring composition (lipids, polymers, proteins), surface properties and architecture (core–shell, micellar, mesoporous), such systems can enhance solubility, stability, targeted delivery and controlled release profiles. Advances in stimulus-responsive polymers and hybrid materials permit site-specific release in response to pH, enzymes or redox conditions. Furthermore, green synthesis approaches reduce reliance on organic solvents and support the production of biocompatible, biodegradable nanocarriers, facilitating translation to clinical and industrial applications. These platforms have demonstrated global significance in addressing chronic diseases, improving dietary supplement performance and enabling precision therapies through improved bioavailability and reduced off-target effects.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have reported a green synthesis strategy for low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles using nanoporous starch aerogels and supercritical carbon dioxide, yielding particles of around 60 nm that increased curcumin bioaccessibility by over 40-fold. Another work has described pH-responsive polymeric nanoparticles with a core–shell architecture incorporating biodegradable polyesters and polyelectrolytes, which achieve sustained release of anticancer agents specifically within acidic tumour microenvironments. A third development involves metal-organic framework-derived nanocarriers grafted with targeting ligands that demonstrate high loading capacity for hydrophobic antioxidants and enable controlled release triggered by intracellular glutathione levels.

Research from all publishers

Protein-based colloidal systems have seen considerable refinement: one study highlighted zein-based nanoparticles stabilised by biopolymer coatings to improve water dispersibility and photostability of genistein, achieving sustained release in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Another investigation developed self-assembled soy protein–dextran nanogels via ultrasonication, forming core–shell structures 30–40 nm in size for efficient riboflavin delivery with rapid release in intestinal conditions. Advances in plant protein–polysaccharide complexes have also been demonstrated, where Maillard-type conjugates and electrostatic assemblies form multilayered emulsions or hydrogels that protect polyphenols and vitamins, enhancing physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility during digestion. Collectively, these studies underscore the versatility of natural biopolymers for tailored delivery platforms across food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors.

Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems for Bioactive Compounds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle-based delivery systems for bioactive compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanoparticle: A colloidal particle with dimensions between 1 and 1000 nm, used to encapsulate and deliver active compounds.

Bioactive compound: A substance that exerts a biological effect, such as vitamins, polyphenols or pharmaceutical agents.

Core–shell structure: A nanoparticle architecture comprising an inner core that contains the active payload and an outer shell that provides protection and functionality.

Encapsulation efficiency: The percentage of the initial active compound successfully entrapped within the delivery vehicle.

Stimuli-responsive: Materials designed to alter their properties or release cargo in response to environmental triggers (e.g. pH, temperature, redox).

Bioaccessibility: The fraction of a compound that is released from its matrix in the gastrointestinal tract and becomes available for absorption.

References

1. A novel and green nanoparticle formation approach to forming low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles to improve curcumin’s bioaccessibility. Scientific Reports (2019).
2. Self-Assembled Modified Soy Protein/Dextran Nanogel Induced by Ultrasonication as a Delivery Vehicle for Riboflavin. Molecules (2016).
3. Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Genistein-Loaded Zein/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Nanoparticles with Improved Water Dispersibility, Enhanced Antioxidant Activity, and Controlled Release Property. Foods (2020).
4. Maillard-Type Protein–Polysaccharide Conjugates and Electrostatic Protein–Polysaccharide Complexes as Delivery Vehicles for Food Bioactive Ingredients: Formation, Types, and Applications. Gels (2022).