Special Issue on "Function of Polymers in Encapsulation Process".

In this context, natural polymer-based carriers (with core-shell structure) have presented multifunctional capabilities and enabled the simultaneous encapsulation of active agents of different physical/chemical properties for their targeted delivery and sustained release. Choosing the right polymer is very important in this process due to its impact on target delivery and controlled release, and therefore, on the bioavailability of active agents. Encapsulation technology comprises enclosing active agents (core materials) within a homogeneous/heterogeneous matrix (wall material) at the micro/nano scale. Despite these creative reports in the field of smart polymers, the need to create new polymer lattices has always existed owing to the broad plethora of industrial applications involved. [Extracted from the article]