Ferritin-Based Nanocarriers: Analytical Methods for Physicochemical Characterization

Unique physicochemical properties of ferritin nanoparticles, such as high biocompatibility, precise structural assembly, and modular surface chemistry make them a promising biomimetic platform for the delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic agents, including radioactive isotopes. However, the translation of ferritin from laboratory-scale synthesis to clinical applications remains hindered by the lack of standardized analytical workflows and requires precise qualitative and quantitative analysis of core loading, structural integrity, and long-term stability. This review systematically examines current characterization techniques ranging from morphological evaluation and quantitative elemental analysis to advanced spectroscopic and functional performance assays for evaluating metal and non-metal encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, stability in complex biological media, and functional performance of ferritin-based nanocarriers. We highlight the correlation between the analytical metrics and biomedical outcomes, addressing the critical challenges in standardization necessary for clinical translation. The discussed methodologies establish a methodological roadmap for the rational design and quality control of ferritin-based theranostic systems, facilitating their path toward clinical implementation.