Project description
Improving the bioavailability of polyphenolic compounds
A diet rich in plant-based foods is vital for preventing chronic diseases, thanks to the beneficial polyphenolic compounds (PCs) they contain. However, PCs face challenges due to their sensitivity to environmental factors, leading to rapid oxidation and diminished bioavailability. Traditional methods for delivering these compounds have been resource-intensive and often fall short in effectiveness. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BIOCOMAT project will revolutionise PC delivery by using advanced material design and characterisation techniques. The project focuses on creating precise, layer-by-layer encapsulation systems to improve the stability and bioavailability of PCs. Through methods like confocal microscopy, SEM imaging, and machine learning, BIOCOMAT will develop a Material Acceleration Platform for food applications.
Objective
A diet rich in plant-based foods, abundant in beneficial polyphenolic compounds (PCs), is pivotal in preventing civilization-related diseases. PCs are valued for their robust antioxidant properties and prebiotic potential. However, their inherent instability and sensitivity to environmental factors and processing methods pose challenges. Rapid oxidation and limited bioavailability in the human body underscore the need for effective stability enhancers and delivery systems. In principle, the encapsulation technique provides prolonged and controlled release of food ingredients and increases the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. The complexity of the capsule design, however, has consumed considerable resources in the food science field but has yet to result in satisfactory results in terms of PCs delivery.
This project offers a fresh perspective by treating capsule design as a materials engineering task. We aim to leverage cutting-edge material design, preparation, and characterization techniques to enhance the bioavailability of encapsulated PCs. Our approach will involve layer-by-layer methods to create model systems with precise control over the morphology of polysaccharide and protein encapsulation layers. Co-focal microscopy, SEM imaging, and nanomechanics will provide insights into structure, stability, and PC release in vitro. To optimize layer composition efficiently, we will integrate robot-aided experimentation and machine learning.
These efforts will culminate in developing a Material Acceleration Platform, a versatile methodology for designing polyphenolic compound delivery systems for food applications.
To achieve these objectives, the Researcher will be provided training-through-research in a broad spectrum of preparation and characterization techniques aimed at layer-by-layer systems and data-driven experimentation approaches such as the Design of Experiments and Bayesian optimization.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryelectrolysis
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopy
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculescarbohydrates
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Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
28906 Getafe
Spain