Enzyme Encapsulation in Liposomes: Recent Advancements in the Pharmaceutical and Food Sector

Abstract

Nanocarriers have found numerous applications in pharmaceutical and food sectors due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In particular, liposomes are the most extensively studied kind of nanoparticles for these applications. They are spherical colloidal systems characterized by lipid membranes enclosing an aqueous core. This versatile structure enables the incorporation of hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic molecules, making them optimal candidates for the controlled release of drugs and enzymes. Despite numerous promising applications, liposomes face challenges such as low colloidal stability, inefficient drug encapsulation, and high production costs for large-scale applications. For this reason, innovative methods, such as microfluidics, electroporation, and supercritical CO₂, are currently being investigated to overcome these limitations. This review examines the recent applications of liposomes in enzyme encapsulation within the pharmaceutical and food sectors, emphasizing production challenges and emerging technological developments.

Keywords: drug administration; enzymes encapsulation; food preservation; liposomes.

Figure 1

Schematic and simplified structure of liposomes loaded with different types of molecules.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of the main stages of the thin film hydration method of liposomes.

Figure 3

Schematic representation of the main stages of reverse-phase evaporation of liposomes.