Food-Grade Preparation of Nutraceutical Nanoparticles Using Facilitated Self-Assembling Technology (FAST) for A New Generation of Nutritional Supplements

Author(s): Jingwen Cai, Caroline Dudish, Amani Mouna, Angelena Jacob, Wesley James, Douglas Dickinson, Hongfang Yu, Yutao Liu, Ashish K. Sarker, Mustafa Culha, Diya Garrepally, Mizuho Kittaka, Stephen Hsu

Nutraceuticals such as curcumin, resveratrol, lycopene, lutein, and coenzyme Q10 possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities but their practical use is hindered by poor solubility and bioavailability. Traditional nanocarriers like liposomes, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles often rely on surfactants and synthetic organic solvents that limit safety, scalability, and regulatory acceptance. The present study evaluated the Facilitated Self-Assembling Technology (FAST) platform as a clean-label alternative for generating bioavailable nutraceutical nanoparticles. Using only food-grade facilitating medium, FAST enabled spontaneous formation of stable, amorphous nanoparticles with strong negative surface charge and high colloidal stability. Hybrid nanoparticles combining epigallocatechin-3-gallate-palmitates (EC16), curcumin, and resveratrol further improved surface charge, reduced size range, and exhibited enhanced stability under simulated gastric conditions. All formulations demonstrated excellent biocompatibility in XTT assays, with no reduction in viability compared to control. Fluorescent imaging of EC16/Cy5 fluorescent hybrid nanoparticles confirmed nanoparticle–cell surface interactions without cytotoxicity. Compared with chemical conjugation and lipid-based nanoencapsulation, FAST offered faster, surfactant-free, and energy-efficient production, fully compliant with FDA generally recognized as safe (GRAS) standards. These results support the FAST platform as an efficient, economical, and scalable nanotechnology for next-generation functional beverages and oral nutraceutical delivery systems that meet both regulatory and consumer demands for natural, sustainable innovation.