Structural Properties of β-Casein and Its Application as a Nano-Carrier of Bioactive Compounds: A Recent Update

The world's requirement for using natural biomacromolecules as the delivery vehicle of bioactive compounds is increasing. β-casein is a natural protein separated from milk, which has special ligand-binding and self-assembling properties. Moreover, it has excellent emulsifying capacities and high nutritional value. These unique properties make β-casein one of the best natural nano-carrier of bioactive compounds. This review summarizes the recent research progress on the self-assembling behavior of β-casein and the utilization of β-casein to improve the solubility and functionality of bioactive compounds. The formation of β-casein micelles is influenced by pH, temperature, concentration, and the presence of different ions. β-casein can directly bind hydrophobic bioactive or encapsulate them by forming micelles or emulsions. The interaction forces and encapsulation efficiency depend on the structural properties of the targeted compounds and the environment. This review shows that β-casein is a very promising candidate for delivering bioactive compounds to the human body.