Novel Drug Delivery Systems Using Nanotechnology

In recent studies, there has been a considerable interest in the development of novel drug delivery systems using nanotechnology. There is growing interest in developing protein nanocarriers as GRAS (generally regarded as safe) drug delivery devices due to their exceptional characteristics such as biodegradability, high nutritional value, abundant renewable sources and extraordinary binding capacity of various drugs. Soy protein is abundant, renewable, inexpensive, and biodegradable. Soy proteins exhibit high loading capacity including electrostatic attractions, hydrophobic interactions and covalent bonding. Soy proteins are generally less effective emulsifiers when compared with other food proteins, such as casein. Instability below its isoelectric point makes it a poor emulsifier for low pH applications.

Ultrasonication in combination with low static pressure and low heat, a process termed mano-thermo-sonication (MTS), has been reported to enhance acoustic cavitation activity which is effective in performing a target food processing operation. In the literature the use of MTS for several purposes especially microbial inactivation in juices are studied extensively. However, the use of MTS in order to modify the functionality of soy proteins has not been well documented. Since protein-based nano-carriers are among the most promising delivery systems to encapsulate, protect, and release bioactive components in foods and drugs, I plan to investigate the effect of MTS treatment on the functionality of soy protein in my design. Firstly, I will try to improve soy protein functionality - solubility and emulsifying capacity with pH shifting and MTS treatment. Secondly, I will develop and characterize soy protein-stabilized nanoemulsions...

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...ty of highly lipophilic functional components encapsulated within lipid droplets is increased when the droplet size is decreased. There are a number of possible reasons for this increasing in bioavailability. First, small droplets have a large surface area and may therefore be digested more quickly by digestive enzymes so that their contents are released and absorbed more easily. Second, the small droplets may penetrate into the mucous layer that coats the epithelium cells within the small intestine, thereby increasing their residence time and bringing them closer to the site of absorption. Third, very small particles might be directly transported across the epithelium cell layer by either paracellular or transcellular mechanisms. Fourth, the water-solubility of highly lipophilic components increases as the droplet size decreases, which may enhance absorption [21].