Descrizione del progetto
Introdurre più sostanze nutritive in una microcapsula
Gli alimenti funzionali sono arricchiti con nutrienti benefici oppure sono privi di alcuni componenti come il lattosio o il glutine. Un ingrediente funzionale è un composto bioattivo utilizzato nella fabbricazione di prodotti alimentari funzionali. Il progetto ENCAP4HEALTH, finanziato dall’UE, propone l’uso della microincapsulazione a base di biopolimeri per migliorare la funzionalità, la digeribilità e l’assorbimento di tali bioattivi. Il progetto riunisce 50 esperti internazionali di 12 istituzioni (università tecniche, mediche e tradizionali, PMI e multinazionali) per identificare nuovi biopolimeri e sviluppare tecnologie di lavorazione efficienti e sostenibili per l’incapsulamento. I risultati porteranno a una maggiore accessibilità economica di molteplici applicazioni sanitarie e alimentari, aprendo opportunità di mercato nel settore alimentare che si estenderanno ai settori dell’agricoltura, dei mangimi, al settore farmaceutico e a quello biomedico.
Obiettivo
Improvement and maintenance of health, particularly in ageing societies, is a major challenge defined in H2020. In this context, the objective of ENCAP4HEALTH is to develop innovative concepts for biopolymer-based microcapsules resulting in a new generation of highly functional delivery systems for functional food ingredients. Experts have emphasized for a long time that new methods and materials are required to improve functionality, digestibility and absorption of these so-called bioactives. With an increasing awareness for zero-waste production and reduction of the environmental impact of food processing, opportunities to create a new generation of encapsulation systems open up. ENCAP4HEALTH will bring together more than 50 international experts with ample expertise from 12 different institutions (technical, medical and traditional universities, SMEs and multinational companies). The network aims to identify new biopolymers and to develop more efficient and sustainable processing technologies for encapsulation. The action is divided into six work packages, three of them devoted to scientific research and three to training, career development, dissemination and exploitation as well as management. Multiple training activities related to these work packages have been specifically designed to improve the skills of the consortium members and to promote their career development. Gender aspects will adequately be addressed in training and research. Exploitation of results will boost innovation and present societal and economic benefits by producing more effective functional food applying new and optimized encapsulation techniques. ENCAP4HEALTH will lead to a greater affordability of multiple health and food applications opening market opportunities in the food sector, that will spread out to agriculture, feed, pharma and even the biomedical sector.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-RISE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)Coordinatore
10623 Berlin
Germania