DEStech Publications, Inc Nanotechnologies for Solubilization and Delivery in Foods, Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals

Beginning with the basics of surfactant chemistry and micellization, this book presents a range of nanotechnology strategies for controlling colloidal and polymeric structures for the solubilization and targeted delivery of food nutrients and pharmaceuticals. The book demonstrates how vehicles for delivering bioactive ingredients through a variety of oral, transdermal, buccal and mucosal routes, can be synthesized by nanolevel manipulation of colloidal systems, proteins, peptides, liquid crystalline phases, organogels and dendrimers. Special attention is given to the modification of mesophases in micellar and liquid crystal systems, which are shown to be productive templates and chemical nanoreactors for uniquely structured nanocarriers. The volume connects micro- and nanolevel modification of emulsion-based and biopolymeric systems, as well as the formation of new nanoparticles, to key properties of absorption, bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness for dozens of well-known and experimental drugs, food nutrients and antimicrobials. Throughout, a stress is placed on chemical strategies for enhancing the efficiency of drug and nutrient carriers. The information presented in this book is applicable to the design of micro- and nanolevel delivery systems with improved targeting, more efficient controlled release, and superior in vivo penetration into dermal and cellular structures.