Encapsulated potassium from red seaweeds for energy drink applications
A research initiative developing spray-dried encapsulated potassium extracted from Western Canadian red seaweeds for use in water-based energy drinks. The approach addresses mineral instability and short shelf life in beverages by improving dispersibility and longevity of potassium in solution.
Overview
This research explores the extraction and encapsulation of potassium from red seaweeds cultivated along the Western Canadian coast, with the goal of producing a stable, water-dispersible potassium ingredient for energy drinks. British Columbia is among the world's leading regions for red seaweed production, and the project leverages locally cultivated biomass sourced through a partnership with Canadian Pacifico Seaweed. By encapsulating extracted potassium using spray drying, the research addresses a key challenge in beverage formulation: the tendency of minerals to deposit and degrade in water-based solutions, which limits shelf life and product quality.
Technical specifications
- Seaweed sourcing: Multiple red and brown seaweed species from Western Canadian waters will be evaluated, including Mazzaella japonica, Turkish towel, Bull kelp, Macro kelp, Alaria, Fucus (rockweed), and Sugar kelp.
- Mineral extraction: Ultrasonication under controlled pH conditions will be used to release potassium and other minerals from the seaweed biomass.
- Potassium quantification: Inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) will measure the potassium yield per unit of solid seaweed, guiding species selection.
- Encapsulation: Spray drying with methylcellulose and maltodextrin as wall materials, a scalable and reproducible technique suited to industrial production.
- Characterization: Encapsulation efficiency will be assessed via ICP-OES; particle morphology via scanning electron microscopy (SEM); emulsion stability via particle analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); and release rate and half-shelf life will be tested in water-based systems.
Technology readiness level
The project is at an early research and development stage. The team is preparing to execute a structured validation plan covering extraction, quantification, encapsulation, and characterization of the microparticles. Work will be conducted using established infrastructure, including the Department of Chemistry at UBC for ICP-OES analysis and the Pilot Plant at UBC's Faculty of Food and Land Systems for spray drying. Outcomes will determine which seaweed species offers the highest potassium yield and whether the encapsulated product meets stability and dispersibility targets required for energy drink formulations.
About University of British Columbia
UBC is a comprehensive public research university with major campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan, among Canada’s largest and most internationally connected. Industry engages through a co-op talent pipeline and collaborative research spaces that include co-located clinical settings and on‑campus testbeds. A dedicated technology transfer office brokers partnerships, manages IP and licensing, and is complemented by an active venture accelerator and incubator network. Research is supported by competitive funding from Canada’s Tri‑Council agencies (NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC) and infrastructure investments from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, alongside provincial and industry sponsorship.
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