Castro, Pedro M.Sarmento, BrunoMadureira, Ana RaquelPintado, Maria Manuela2019-10-232019-10-232019Castro, P. M., Sarmento, B., Madureira, A. R., & Pintado, M. E. (2019). Organic nanocomposites for the delivery of bioactive molecules. In Natural Polysaccharides in Drug Delivery and Biomedical Applications (pp. 471–493). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-817055-7.00020-09780128170557http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/28491Controlling the size of organic nanoparticles has been proven to be important concerning the overall behavior when administered in living organisms. Indeed, reducing the particle size maximizes the functional properties (e.g., pharmacokinetics, biodistribution) and a superior performance is achieved when used as delivery systems. Nanoparticle systems serve a wide array of purposes in biomedical engineering, especially as drug delivery systems, in theragnostics, food functionalization, and phytopharmacy. Characteristics of nanoparticles can be tailored to different purposes by the development of functionalized composites. Nanocomposites can be developed as nanoparticles with special features such as targeted delivery of molecules, binding to site-specific targets, development of theragnostic agents for specific diseases, contamination of food and medical devices, or even for the controlled release of phytopharmaceuticals only on required events, with relevant decrease of pollutant effect. This chapter focuses on the main methods of composite nanoparticle production, prominent uses in key areas, potential toxicity, and future perspectives with special emphasis to a critical review of available information regarding their use in biomedical engineering.engDelivery systemsNanocompositesOrganic moleculesPolymeric systemsbook part10.1016/B978-0-12-817055-7.00020-085082043435