Design of starch-based nanocarriers for bioactive delivery: Interfacial properties, gastrointestinal transformation,...

In nature, starch granules are semi-crystalline polysaccharide-rich particles that have complex hierarchical structures. These granules can be transformed into starch-based nanomaterials for the delivery of bioactive compounds in functional foods and related applications. The design, production, and application of these starch-based nanomaterials are reviewed in this article. Initially, the methods available for preparing these nanomaterials are discussed, including top-down disassembly approaches (e.g., acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, and mechanical cavitation) and bottom-up self-assembly approaches (e.g., nanoprecipitation and recrystallization). The possibility of tuning the functional performance of these nanomaterials for specific applications by tailoring their interfacial properties is then discussed, including modifying their surface charge, hydrophobicity, and stimuli-responsive behavior. Moreover, the impact of gastrointestinal transit on the behavior of these nanomaterials is discussed, including the formation of digestive biomolecular coronas in gastrointestinal fluids and their effects on cargo retention and release. Emerging applications are discussed with emphasis on how interfacial properties, matrix compatibility, and digestive transformations determine their performance in bioactive delivery, precision nutrition, active packaging, and 4D food printing. In addition, critical challenges to the further development and implementation of starch-based nanomaterials are discussed. Overall, the information presented is meant to stimulate the further design, fabrication, and application of next-generation starch-based nanomaterials for advanced food and nutrition applications.