Mesoporous Silica‐Based Supports for the Controlled and Targeted Release of Bioactive Molecules in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract

Mesoporous silica particles (MSPs) have attracted increasing interest as supports in the design of controlled delivery materials. Besides their excellent properties as loading supports (that is, large surface area and pore volume), the modification of their external surface with molecular/supramolecular ensembles allows the design of gated MSPs. Delivery systems based on gated MSPs show "zero delivery" until an adequate stimulus is present and triggers gate opening and the cargo is released. Encapsulation of bioactive molecules in gated MSPs may improve biological stability, facilitate component handling, mask unpleasant sensorial properties, and modulate the bioaccessibility of target molecules along the gastrointestinal tract. These properties make gated MSPs excellent candidates for encapsulating bioactive molecules and their subsequent utilization in the formulation of functional foods. This text highlights the most significant endogenous triggering stimuli that might be applied to design these site-specific delivery systems, as well as the strategies to develop them. Given the novelty of using MSPs in the food sector, the benefits and current potential limitations of employing MSPs in human food have been identified and discussed.

Anchoring Gated Mesoporous Silica Particles to Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Films for Smart Packaging Applications

“…2.5 nm). These features were reported to be sufficient for encapsulation of molecules of special interest in food technology (i.e., antimicrobial agents, drugs, flavors, vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes, and other functional compounds) in MSPs [ 36 ]. Table 1 also shows that, after the loading and functionalization process, a decrease in the N 2 volume adsorbed was produced.…”

Protection of folic acid through encapsulation in mesoporous silica particles included in fruit juices

“…Some proposed systems have improved the stability of this vitamin in different food matrices and food processing. However, these systems present some instability during processing or ingestion processes, a poor ability to control the FA rate release or provide targeted delivery (Pérez-Esteve, Ruiz-Rico, Martínez-Máñez, & Barat., 2015b). As an alternative, inorganic encapsulation systems, such as mesoporous silica particles (MSPs), can be useful in food fortification thanks to large loading capacity, biocompatibility, stability during digestion conditions and controlled release capability (Aznar, Oroval, Pascual, Murguía, Martínez-Máñez, & Sancenón, 2016, Li, Barnes, Bosoy, Stoddart, & Zink, 2012Pérez-Esteve et al, 2016;Slowing, Vivero-Escoto, Wu, & Lin, 2008;Song & Yang, 2015).…”

“…Diverse and contradictory results have been observed in some cells or animals treated with MSPs, but the use of functionalized mesoporous silica microparticles seems a good strategy to minimize the risks associated with using MSPs as supports to develop smart delivery systems (Pérez-Esteve et al, 2015b).…”

Use of silica supports for enhancing the stability of folates and developing antimicrobial agents

“…Some proposed systems have improved the stability of this vitamin in different food matrices and food processing. However, these systems present some instability during processing or ingestion processes, a poor ability to control the FA rate release or provide targeted delivery (Pérez- Esteve et al, 2015b). As an alternative, inorganic encapsulation systems, such as mesoporous silica particles (MSPs), can be useful in food fortification thanks to large loading capacity, biocompatibility, stability during digestion conditions and controlled release capability Pérez-Esteve et al, 2016;.…”

“…Diverse and contradictory results have been observed in some cells or animals treated with MSPs, but the use of functionalized mesoporous silica microparticles seems a good strategy to minimize the risks associated with using MSPs as supports to develop smart delivery systems (Pérez- Esteve et al, 2015b).…”