DEVELOPMENT OF NUTRACEUTICAL-LOADED NANOEMULSIONS FOR TARGETED MICRONUTRIENT DELIVERY IN COMMUNITY-BASED DIETARY INTERVENTION

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies, commonly referred to as hidden hunger, remain a significant global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Conventional supplementation and fortification strategies are often limited by poor bioavailability, instability, low solubility, and reduced compliance, which hinder their effectiveness in addressing nutritional deficiencies. In recent years, nutraceuticals have emerged as a promising approach for improving health outcomes due to their bioactive properties and disease-preventive potential. However, their delivery is constrained by physicochemical limitations such as poor water solubility and susceptibility to degradation. Nanoemulsion-based delivery systems have gained considerable attention as an advanced strategy to overcome these challenges. With droplet sizes ranging from 20 to 200 nm, Nanoemulsions (NE) enhance solubilization, stability, and absorption of both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds. They also provide protection against environmental degradation and enable controlled and sustained release, thereby improving the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of micronutrients. Additionally, their compatibility with various food matrices supports their integration into functional foods, enhancing consumer acceptance and facilitating large-scale implementation in community-based interventions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of nutraceutical-loaded (NE), focusing on their formulation, characterization, mechanisms of targeted delivery, and applications in public health nutrition. It also highlights future perspectives, including precision nutrition, sustainable production approaches, and the need for clinical validation. Overall, (NE) represent a transformative platform for targeted micronutrient delivery, offering significant potential to improve global nutritional health outcomes.