Description du projet
Des aliments fonctionnels encapsulés avec une durée de vie plus longue à moindre coût
Les aliments fonctionnels fournissent des effets bénéfiques au-delà de l’apport en nutriments essentiels. Leur consommation est massive et leurs revenus générés devraient croître de 50 % durant l’année 2022. La plupart des ingrédients bioactifs présents dans ce type d’aliments sont très vulnérables, garantir leur intégrité et leur biodisponibilité représente un défi important. Afin de les protéger, la plupart sont souvent encapsulés, engendrant des coûts de production élevés. Le projet CAPSULTEK, financé par l’UE, fournit une technologie innovante appelée électronébulisation à gaz comprimé, qui encapsule tout type de molécule, renforçant ainsi sa stabilité et prolongeant sa durée de vie. Les entreprises alimentaires les plus importantes ont déjà exprimé leur intérêt envers cette technologie, prévoyant un bénéfice de 8 millions d’euros dès la cinquième année de commercialisation.
Objectif
Functional foods provide additional health benefits beyond its nutritional value by adding certain bioactive ingredients to its basic formulation, like Omega-3, probiotics or vitamins.
They are massively consumed, being a long-lasting megatrend in food industry, started in the 80’s, and currently living its best moment. Their generated revenue will grow by 50 % until 2022. 1 out of 4 new food products launched have a functional claim. So, global food industries are eager to increase their functional food products portfolio due to its high consumers’ acceptance, potential for deploying new markets, and higher added value.
However, most of these bioactive ingredients are easily vulnerable (prone to oxidation, thermolabile…), so, there is a challenge in assuring their integrity and bioavailability when introducing them in food products (complex matrix!). To protect them they are usually encapsulated.
Most encapsulation methods work at high temperature damaging the ingredients. Moreover, most methods are energy-intensive, and entail high production costs.
In Bioinicia we are experts in nanoencapsulation, and we have developed CAPSULTEK: an innovative own-developed technology called Electrospraying Assisted by Pressurized Gas of which we have a 1 t/year prototype.
With our technology we can work at room temperature, encapsulate any kind of molecule, enhance its stability and extend its shelf-life. Besides, industrially-wise, we can scale it up to reach industrial volumes, to reduce encapsulation costs by 40% and to increase concentration bioactive ingredients by 50%.
We need Ph.2 to reach market readiness. We will build an industrial demo plant of 10 tonnes/year and will optimize the processing parameters for Omega-3 and probiotics. We have designed a bold and effective highly scalable business model to make the most of CAPSULTEK. First-line food companies have already stated their interest on it, and we foresee an 8 M€ profit by the fifth year of its commercialization.
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SME - SME instrumentCoordinateur
46980 Paterna
Espagne
L’entreprise s’est définie comme une PME (petite et moyenne entreprise) au moment de la signature de la convention de subvention.