Nanotechnology in Nutrient Fortification and Delivery

Nanotechnology is considered an efficient tool of nutrient enrichment and delivery for improving the bioavailability of micronutrients in food matrices. The findings of contemporary research prove that the encapsulation of bioactive compounds using nanoparticles is highly effective in controlled delivery systems and enhances the nutraceutical value of the system in the human body. For fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin D and omega-3, nanoscale delivery systems significantly enhance solubility and bioavailability, far surpassing traditional fortification techniques, and playing an important role in the development of ‘phyto-functional foods’. Nevertheless, poor bioavailability and instability of these phytochemicals remain some of the research drawbacks. These challenges are eliminated by nanotechnology through the development of protective carriers that improve stability and absorption of the bioactive compounds, hence maximizing the nutraceutical potential of the foods. Other than fortification, tailored vehicles enable nutrients or phytochemicals to be pinpointed directly toward the tissues or cells of interest, thereby avoiding systemic delivery and consequential costs and side effects. This chapter summarizes all the concepts on nutrient fortification and delivery using nanotechnology.