The project involves the development of a new production process for nutraceuticals based on turmeric, vitamin C, and Coenzyme Q10, using by-products from the food industry, particularly whey proteins, to create granular encapsulates containing functional ingredients. The main goal of the project is to obtain encapsulates characterized by high solubility in aqueous media, increased bioavailability, and intestinal release, resistant to stresses such as pH and UV, and standardization of the production phases of the industrial granular semi-finished product (e.g., powders, micro-tablets, tablets).
The granular semi-finished products will be used for the laboratory and industrial development of dietary supplements for health purposes in the areas of cardiovascular health, inflammation, and antioxidation. Both the granulates and the finished products will be structurally and functionally characterized with the scientific input from research centers, verifying the conformity of the granulate production to protect the components and the absorption capacity of the finished product to enhance the bioavailability of the components within the body. The finished products will undergo accelerated stability studies to determine the product's shelf life.
The SUSTAINACEA project also includes the analysis of the market prospects that will be disclosed by the proposed research. This information will lead to a product that is more performing. Finally, the results obtained by the market analysis could open new opportunities to the partners, i.e., market opportunities for the companies and applications for the research organizations.