Bioavailability and release of bioactive components from nanocapsules

Recently, the market of nutraceuticals has flourished due to its advantages on the physiology. Nevertheless, faster and higher amount of nutrient absorption does not guarantee the improved functionality and the health of consumers; in fact, in some cases, the effects of excessive absorption are the opposite. The rate and amount of nutrient absorption can be optimized by engineering targeted delivery systems on the base of food or synthetic compounds leading to a controlled release. It should be noted that optimum absorption is not similar to maximum absorption. Release rate has a direct impact on consumer’s health, for instance, gradual release of carbohydrate-based foods is beneficial as it lowers the secretion of insulin resulting in the elimination of unnecessary glycosylation of proteins plus high excursions in blood glucose content. Moreover, some extent of bioactives escape uptake by small intestine cells, however this procedure is not completely negative as the escaped nutrients may keep the advantageous microflora in colon and thus beneficial compounds are generated via fermentation in bowel. Therefore, clinical trials should be conducted to approve the possible health benefits and bioavailability of food-nanomaterials. In this chapter, controlled release and bioavailability of food-nanostructures are underlined. Moreover, the mathematical and intelligent modeling of the release of bioactive agents from nanovehicles is discussed in detail to better understand their release mechanisms.