Nano-sized 'trojan horse'
to aid nutrition

Researchers have designed a nano-sized 'trojan horse' particle one thousandth the thickness of a human hair to ensure healing antioxidants can be better absorbed by the human body.

Antioxidants are thought to promote better health and can neutralise the harmful effect of free radicals that are constantly generated by our body.

Orally delivered antioxidants are easily destroyed by acids and enzymes in the human body, with only a small percentage of what is consumed actually being absorbed.

Dr Ken Ng and Dr Ian Larson from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have designed a chitosan biopolymeric nanoparticle to act as a protective vehicle for antioxidants. Chitosan is a natural substance found in crab shells.

"Antioxidants sit within this tiny trojan horse, protecting them from attack by digestive juices in the stomach," Dr Larson said.

"Once in the small intestine the nanoparticle gets sticky and bonds to the intestinal wall. It then leaks its contents directly into the intestinal cells, which allows the antioxidants to be absorbed directly into the blood stream."

The research project will proceed to trials early in 2009.