Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Bioactive food compounds (i.e., micronutrients) have numerous health-promoting activities, including anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, they have poor chemical stability, crystalline structure, and low water solubility, drastically limiting their effective absorption in the body and their utilization in foods. To address these problems, the proposed research project aims to encapsulate bioactive compounds using 3D food printing to enhance their bioavailability and stability. The central hypothesis of this research is that encapsulation of bioactive compounds into food-grade starch hydrogels via 3D printing will decrease the size and crystallinity of bioactive compounds, and increase their solubilization and bioaccessibility. The specific objectives are: (1) Develop and optimize a 3D food printing platform and its operational protocols to encapsulate bioactive compounds, and (2) Determine the bioaccessibility of model bioactive compounds encapsulated in the 3D-printed starch gels. Overall, this project will develop a starch-based 3D food printing encapsulation approach that is scalable, continuous, customizable, and safe for food applications. This project supports the USDA Strategic Goal 4, "Provide All Americans Safe, Nutritious Food" by developing an innovative manufacturing platform technology that improves the quality and nutritional value of foods and food ingredients.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
45%
Developmental
45%
Goals / Objectives
The specific objectives of this project are to: (1) Develop and optimize a 3D food printing platform and its operational protocols to encapsulate bioactive compounds, and (2) Determine the bioaccessibility of model bioactive compounds encapsulated in the 3D-printed starch gels.
Project Methods
Objective 1: Develop and optimize a 3D food printing platform and its operational protocols to encapsulate bioactive compounds. In this objective, food-grade biopolymers (e.g., starch) will be used to encapsulate model hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactive compounds using 3D food printing. The 3D printing parameters will be investigated and optimized for the highest resolution and structural integrity. The 3D-printed objects will be analyzed using XRD, SEM, CLSM, and microCT. Objective 2: Determine the bioaccessibility of model bioactive compounds encapsulated in the 3D-printed starch gels. In this objective, the bioaccessibility of encapsulated bioactive compounds will be determined using a sequential oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion protocol. Cell culture models will be used to determine cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of encapsulated compounds.