pH-Driven Co-encapsulation Strategy for Nano-Delivery of Bioactive Substances

Abstract

The pH-driven method is a simple, effective, and solvent-free organic technique for encapsulating bioactive substances, with promising applications in the functional foods and pharmaceutical sectors. However, encapsulating a single bioactive has been the main focus of the majority of research on this technique. On the other hand, co-encapsulation and the simultaneous administration of multiple bioactives have become more popular recently, as they enable complementary and synergistic effects. The primary obstacles to pH-driven co-encapsulation are variations in bioactive properties across different pH levels and potential bioactive competition, which could lower encapsulation efficiency. To overcome these limitations, improvements to the preparation process and modifications to carrier systems through specific treatments or combinations with other techniques have been explored. This review provides a succinct overview of pH-driven co-encapsulation technology, including the molecular interactions among components within the carrier platform and strategies to enhance the efficiency process. Most investigations indicated that the encapsulation efficiency of bioactive substances typically ranges from 75% to 97%, with particle sizes generally remaining below 300 nm. These systems have also shown significant improvements in the stability and bioactivity of the encapsulated substances. The review's conclusions provide researchers with important insights for developing pH-driven technologies for industry.

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