Application of natural β-glucans as biocompatible functional nanomaterials
Naturally-occurring β-glucans are mostly investigated for their antitumor activity and immunomodulatory property. They have been widely regarded as a natural source for functional foods and pharmaceuticals. However, the physico-chemically stable and biocompatible properties of β-glucans are rarely e...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Tsinghua University Press
2019-12-01
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| Series: | Food Science and Human Wellness |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453019301442 |
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| Summary: | Naturally-occurring β-glucans are mostly investigated for their antitumor activity and immunomodulatory property. They have been widely regarded as a natural source for functional foods and pharmaceuticals. However, the physico-chemically stable and biocompatible properties of β-glucans are rarely explored as a coating material for nanomaterials to overcome the problems of aggregation and cytotoxicity. This article reviews on the exploration of β-glucans, in particular those derived from mushrooms, as a natural coating material to modify the surface properties of bioactive substances as a relatively simple and cost-effective strategy to produce stable and biocompatible nanohybrids used for biopharmaceutical use. It is envisaged that such β-glucan-based coating method will provide new opportunities to design biocompatible functional nanomaterials for wider clinical applications. Keywords: β-Glucans, Biocompatibility, Biopharmaceuticals, Nanohybrids |
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| ISSN: | 2213-4530 |