Advances in research on preparation, characterization, interaction with proteins, digestion and delivery systems of starch-based nanoparticles

Abstract Starch-based nanoparticles (SNPs) have attracted great interest for their ability to encapsulate, protect, and orally deliver bioactive components because of their diverse functionality, high biocompatibility, and environmental friendliness. SNPs can be synthesized with a broad range of particle sizes, ranging from a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers (approximately 8–448 nm), which is comparable to the dimensions of proteins (1–10 nm), nucleic acids (2 nm wide, 5–100 nm long), viruses (10–500 nm), and cell organelles (5–100 mm). The ability to tune the dimensions and properties of SNPs allows them to be used to construct complexes with various biological entities, thereby altering their functional performance. SNPs can also be used to enhance the solubility of hydrophobic substances and to improve the nutritional attributes of bioactives. For instance, SNPs can be designed to increase the bioavailability of bioactives or to target their delivery to specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we provide an overview of the methods available for preparing SNPs, the application of SNPs for encapsulating and delivering bioactives, and the potential gastrointestinal fate of SNPs.