Starch-based nanocarriers offer a versatile platform for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of labile nutraceuticals. Their performance, however, is highly sensitive to complex interacting variables, constraining rational design. This review systematically analyzes the critical factors governing encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics to establish factor–property–function correlations. Key findings reveal that carrier performance is not determined by a single variable but by the synergistic interplay of colloidal properties (particle size, PDI, zeta potential), material structure (crystallinity, amylose/amylopectin ratio), and preparation methods. Furthermore, the intrinsic properties of bioactive compounds (solubility, size, charge) are identified as primary drivers that dictate the binding and retention mechanisms. Consequently, a bioactive-driven rational design strategy is proposed, suggesting that carrier type should be precisely tailored to the specific cargo. This review provides essential guidance for the development of high-performance starch-based delivery systems for nutraceuticals. Future research should focus on precise structural modulation and performance verification within complex food matrices to bridge the gap between laboratory design and industrial application.
Zuo et al. (2026) studied this question.