Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles

The use of natural polymers such as polysaccharides in the design of nanoparticles for the protection and delivery of bioactive compounds and nutrients has acquired great importance. These polymers have many advantages including biocompatibility, biodegradability and in some cases bioactivity. They are abundant in nature and are obtained from plant materials and crustacean exoskeletons. Polysaccharides which have been used for the preparation of nanoparticles include starch, dextran, cellulose, pectin, chitin, chitosan, alginates and carrageenans among others. There are also several methods to form the particles including ionotropic gelation, spraying, spray drying, acid hydrolysis, ultrasound, homogenization, etc. This chapter intends to review these techniques, the characteristics of the nanoparticles and some of their applications.