ENCAP4HEALTH · Innovative sustainable ENCAPsulation systems for improving human HEALTH and well-being

Innovative sustainable ENCAPsulation systems for improving human HEALTH and well-being

Improving health and well-being in general and maintaining good health until an advanced age are key societal challenges and have become the most pressing issues in European health policy. An adequate supply of micronutrients, (i.e. vitamins and minerals) and pre-, probiotics is required to keep healthy and support the human microbiome.Encapsulation techniques may be used to improve protection and control the release of these so-called bioactive food constituents. Experts have emphasised for a long time that new methods and materials are required to improve the functionality, digestibility and absorption of bioactives. With an increasing awareness of zero-waste production and reduction of the environmental impact of food processing, opportunities to create a new generation of encapsulation systems have opened up. Thus, ENCAP4HEALTH aimed to create innovative, biopolymer-based microcapsules that can serve as advanced delivery systems for vital nutrients. By identifying new biopolymers and developing more efficient, sustainable encapsulation technologies, ENCAP4HEALTH has contributed to the next generation of functional food ingredients. ENCAP4HEALTH has provided a set of new alternative proteins and nutritional fibre extracted from industrial side-products of conventional food processing, making the value chain more sustainable. Proteins extracted from peas, hemp, potatoes, green leaves, nutritional fibre extracted from carrots and pectins isolated from several sources were identified as valuable new ingredients. Additionally, ENCAP4HEALTH optimised the established technologies of external gelation or electro-dripping to produce microcapsules based on the new ingredients. At this point, research focused on increasing the productivity of the process on an industrial scale. Furthermore, researchers developed innovative strategies to reduce the current production methods' energetic demand through static mixers or membrane emulsification. Finally, ENCAP4HEALTH members produced different microcapsules with tailor-made formulations and functionality (beads, coacervates, coated coacervates). ENCAP4HEALTH studied the behaviour of the microcapsules during in vitro digestion. Most microcapsules resisted the gastric phase and disintegrated in the intestinal phase, as required for delivery systems. Some specific formulations containing citrus pectin proved to be very effective in protecting against adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and are specifically suitable for use in probiotics or beneficial bacteria applications. In summary, ENCAP4HEALTH has developed customised, functional delivery systems that play a critical role in improving human health. These systems protect essential nutrients, enhance their bioavailability, and support the delivery of probiotics, thereby contributing to a healthier, more nutritionally adequate diet.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union