Protein- and Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles

This chapter explains the polysaccharide- and protein-based nanoparticles which are natural and non-toxic. It discusses the physicochemical properties of various proteins and polysaccharides that have been used for the synthesis of nanoparticles and examines the potential applications and fabrication of nanoparticles. The chapter describes the most commonly used techniques for the preparation of nanoparticles. It explores the existing drawbacks, if any, in the use of these proteins and polysaccharides, so that in future alternative materials may be sought. A wide range of functional properties of these biopolymers such as polysaccharides, proteins, synthetic polymers, and their derivatives or modified forms, overlays numerous ways in which the nanoparticle can be fabricated. Pectin is a plant-based complex polysaccharide which is abundantly present in the cell wall of plants, especially in fruit peels. The chapter also discusses the research trends in fabrication techniques commonly used to prepare nanomaterials based on protein and polysaccharide in a nutshell.