Main description:

As a result of their unique physical properties, biological membrane mimetics such as biopolymers are used in a broad range of scientific and technological applications. This comprehensive book covers new applications of biopolymers in the research and development of industrial scale nutraceutical and functional food grade products. All the major food biopolymers are included, from plant, animal and marine sources. Coverage also includes biopolymer-based drug delivery mechanisms intended for biological applications such as bio-detection of pathogens, fluorescent biological labels, and drug and gene delivery.

This is the first interdisciplinary book to address this area specifically and is essential reading for those who produce the functional biopolymer materials as well as those who seek to incorporate them into appropriate nutraceutical, food and drug delivery products.

Contents:

Basic Aspects and Properties of Biopolymers; Recent Progress in Biopolymer-based Delivery Systems and Coatings for Improving Stability, Bioavailability and Efficacy of Nutraceutical Products; Food-grade Biopolymers as Platforms for Nutrient Delivery; Bioavailability and Delivery Mechanisms in Nutraceuticals by Nanoparticles Derived from Biopolymers; Plant-based Bioactive Components as Encapsulating Agents for Functional Food Applications; Adulteration and Safety Issues in Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods; Potential of Biobased Technologies in Nutraceuticals for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer; Microencapsulation Liposomal Technologies in Bioactive Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals; Physiochemical Properties, Characterizations, and Quantitative Analysis on Biopolymer-based Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Industrial Scale; Plant- and Marine-based Biopolymers for Efficient Nutrient Delivery; Industrial Wastes and By-products: A Source of Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals and Biopolymers; Recent Progress on Biopolymer-based Technologies on Nutraceutical and Natural Plant-based Extracts; Biopolymer-based Food Additives and their Uses;Applications of Biopolymers as Encapsulating and Binding Agents in Bioactive Compounds and Functional Food Products; Application of Biopolymers in Controlled Delivery Systems for Nutraceutical Products and Functional Foods; Food-based Polymers for Encapsulation and Delivery of Bioactive Compounds; Nanotechnology-based Formulation for Alternative Medicines and Natural Products: An Introduction with Clinical Studies