Customized colloidal delivery systems for edible bioactive agents
Tailor-made colloidal delivery systems for bioactive agents enhance stability and bioavailability in food applications. Suitable for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances, these systems are designed for specific food matrices, leveraging nanoemulsions and microgels.
Overview
Customized colloidal delivery systems offer a revolutionary approach to enhancing the stability and bioavailability of edible bioactive agents in food products. With over two decades of experience in delivery system design, our team focuses on creating systems tailored to the unique requirements of each bioactive ingredient and its application matrix. This approach ensures the effectiveness of vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals in diverse food and beverage contexts.
Technical specifications
Our technology employs a variety of systems including nanoemulsions, microemulsions, protein nanoparticles, nanoliposomes, microgels, and solid lipid nanoparticles. For hydrophobic bioactive agents, oil-in-water nanoemulsions are favored for their scalability and cost-effectiveness. Hydrophilic substances, on the other hand, may require microgels or W/O/W emulsions, which we optimize for the specific application. Key design considerations include the composition, size, and interfacial properties of the delivery systems.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at a TRL of 4, indicating that it has reached the validation stage in a laboratory environment. Future steps involve characterizing the bioactive ingredients and food matrices, designing suitable delivery systems, and testing their physicochemical and stability properties. Human studies on bioavailability, although costly, are also part of the planned validation process.
About University of Massachusetts, Amherst
UMass Amherst is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, with a large student body and a robust research enterprise. Industry engagement centers on company access to an integrated network of shared core facilities and co-located labs, with options for on‑site residency in an adjacent research and technology park. A dedicated industry partnerships team streamlines sponsored research, material transfer, and confidentiality agreements and connects partners to faculty expertise, prototyping, and pilot‑scale testing. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A technology transfer office advises on IP strategy, manages licensing, and supports new venture formation.
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