Table 1.

Various encapsulation methods for bioactive molecules based on ferritin nanocage. ACP, atmospheric cold plasma; PEF, pulsed electric field; MTS, manothermosonication; EP, extension peptide; HHP, high hydrostatic pressure; DOX, doxorubicin; EGCG, epigallocatechin gallate.

Encapsulation Methods			Guest Molecules	Strengths	Weaknesses	Encapsulation Ratio (w/w)	Loading Efficiency	References
Self-assembly	Addition of chemicals	HCl/NaOH	curcumin; β-carotene; C3G; metallodrugs	suitable for a variety of molecules	harsh condition; low protein recovery	15–32%	1–3%	[14,17,18,80]
		8 M urea	DOX	suitable for pH-sensitive molecules	protein precipitation; guest molecules waste	-	-	[21]
	Physical methods	ACP/PEF	curcumin/rutin	encapsulation under moderate pH conditions	require sophisticated equipment	12.7–13.7%	-	[65,66]
		MTS	EGCG			25.29%		[68]
	Genetic modification	ΔDE	curcumin/DOX		large pores up to 18 Å at fourfold channel; incomplete protein recovery	-	~1%	[69,70]
		ΔEP	EGCG			11.6%	-	[71]
		Δ45DD46/Δ44RDD46	DOX/curcumin		disturb biocompatibility and in vivo performance	-	1.67%	[72]
Channel expansion		20.0 mM urea	EGCG; chlorogenic acid; anthocyanin	little damage to protein; encapsulation without pH adjustment and genetic modification	urea/GuHCl can also be trapped within ferritin cavity; not suitable for larger molecules	17.6%	2.1%	[20]
		2.0 mM GuHCl	rutin			10.1%	-	[75]
		60 °C treatment	rutin/EGCG		may cause guest molecules degradation	8.08/12.8%	-	[19]
		HHP	DOX		long processing time	-	-	[77]