Polysaccharide nanoparticles: from fabrication to applications (original) (raw)

Abstract

Polysaccharides have attracted considerable attention in a broad range of applications in recent years, which is due to their remarkable features such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewable origin, and facile modification. Considerable research efforts have been focused on developing polysaccharide nanoparticles and to promote their applications in various areas and biomedicine in particular. The present review highlights the properties of common polysaccharides used in nanoparticle formation as well as strategies to fabricate polysaccharide nanoparticles. Furthermore, the combination of polysaccharide nanoparticles and polymers is presented and brought into the context of applications. Finally, applications of polysaccharide nanoparticles as nano-delivery system, Pickering emulsion stabilisers, and material reinforcing agent in the fields of nanomedicine, cosmetics, and food system are highlighted. Moreover, this review describes and critically discusses present limitations and drawbacks in the preparation and use of polysaccharide nanoparticles, revealing directions to develop polysaccharide nanoparticles for further utilisation in various applications in the future.

Graphical abstract: Polysaccharide nanoparticles: from fabrication to applications

This article is part of the themed collections:Journal of Materials Chemistry B Recent Review Articles, Journal of Materials Chemistry B Emerging Investigators and 2021 Journal of Materials Chemistry B most popular articles

This article is Open Access

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Article information

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TB00628B

Article type

Review Article

Submitted

22 Mar 2021

Accepted

23 Apr 2021

First published

24 Apr 2021

This article is Open Access

Download Citation

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021,9, 7030-7062

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