Nanoformulation of lactoferrin potentiates its activity and enhances novel biotechnological applications.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 80 kDa, which produced in many mammalian excretions. LF is involved in various physiological processes and known to possess prominent biocidal activities, serving as an effective agent against a wide range of pathogens. This effective biocidal activity of LF in association with immune system response has made this protein an attractive therapeutic candidate. Interaction of proteins with nanoparticles (NPs) gives rise to the formation of a dynamic NP-protein complex and can induce conformational changes in the adsorbed proteins which may lead to the change in their function. With the recent advances in nanotechnology, NPs may provide the protection and stabilization of LF from hydrolysis by some proteases and increase their uptake by targeted cells. These nanoformulations of LF can be used as diagnosis, disease targeting and drug delivery tools. Owing to its multiple functionalities, LF is a promising active ingredient to be loaded or adsorbed to NPs for preparing a stable, controlled surface NPs. Thus, LF NPs can potentially empower the resulting nanocomplex with attracting functionalities and might be useful in many applications, e.g., to modify the optical or rheological properties of products, or to encapsulate and deliver bioactive ingredients.