Recent progress in biopolymer nanoparticle and microparticle formation by heat-treating electrostatic...

Area of Science:

• Biopolymer science
• Materials science
• Food science

Background:

• Globular protein-ionic polysaccharide electrostatic complexes can form functional biopolymer particles.
• These particles have potential applications as encapsulation systems, fat mimetics, lightening agents, and texture modifiers.
• Fabrication involves heating these complexes above the protein's thermal denaturation temperature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in designing and fabricating biopolymer particles from globular protein-ionic polysaccharide complexes.
• To explore the impact of various factors on particle characteristics.
• To elucidate the physicochemical mechanisms governing particle formation and properties.

Main Methods:

• Heating globular protein-ionic polysaccharide complexes above the thermal denaturation temperature of the proteins.
• Investigating the influence of biopolymer type, protein-polysaccharide ratio, pH, ionic strength, and thermal history.
• Analyzing the physicochemical mechanisms of particle formation.

Main Results:

• Biopolymer particle characteristics are significantly influenced by biopolymer type, ratio, pH, ionic strength, and thermal history.
• Understanding the physicochemical mechanisms is crucial for controlling particle properties.
• The review synthesizes current knowledge on particle formation and attributes.

Conclusions:

• Rational design of biopolymer particles with specific attributes is facilitated by understanding formation mechanisms.
• Further research is needed to fully identify the physicochemical origins of particle formation.
• This work provides a foundation for developing advanced biopolymer-based materials.