Biopolymers for Liposome Surface Modification

Liposomal systems have gained a lot of recognition in the last decade duo to their unique properties andapplications. Liposomes are formed due to a unique alignment of phospholipids, when in contact with water,which creates a special bilayer structure that could encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds.However, their applications are limited because of their lack of stability during storage and also lack of controlleddelivery, specially when interacted with the harsh environment of digestive system. Integration of biopolymersand liposomes has been introduced as a solution to the drawbacks mentioned before. Biopolymers hold greatqualities such as biodegradability and biocompatibility and could form interactions with the membrane ofliposomes, therefore effectively improve their functional properties. There are different hybrid systems regardingsecond generation of liposomes, but biopolymer-coated liposome is among the most studied areas. This reviewdiscusses various biopolymers such as chitosan and its derivatives, pectin, proteins, and polysaccharide gums, andtheir application as a coating material for liposomes.

Biopolymers for Liposome Surface Modification Keywords:

Controlled delivery , Encapsulation , Hybrid systems , Lipid carriers