Peptide-Based Approaches for Biomolecule Encapsulation, Storage, and Preservation: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Peptide-based encapsulation systems have gained significant attention in recent years as a promising strategy for the stabilization, storage, and preservation of biomolecules. These systems offer distinct advantages over traditional encapsulation methods due to the unique properties of peptides, such as biocompatibility, tunable structure, and the ability to form stable complexes with various biomolecules. This study provides a comprehensive overview of peptide-based approaches for encapsulating proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules, focusing on their mechanisms, design principles, and applications. The study explores the underlying physicochemical interactions between peptides and biomolecules, such as hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic forces, which are essential for achieving effective encapsulation and stabilization. Moreover, the study examines several types of peptide-based systems, including hydrogels, self-assembled structures, nanoparticles, and peptide coatings, highlighting their respective advantages, challenges, and current applications in drug delivery, enzyme preservation, vaccine storage, and diagnostics. This study also discusses the key challenges in scaling these systems for industrial use, such as cost-effectiveness, long-term stability, and biocompatibility, while identifying future research directions aimed at enhancing the performance of peptide-based systems. In particular, the integration of peptide encapsulation with nanotechnology and gene editing holds great promise for advancing therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Despite current limitations, peptide-based encapsulation is poised to play a transformative role in biopreservation, biotechnology, and medicine in the coming years.

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