Nano-encapsulation through coacervation for acidic beverages with pilot-scale validation

Overview

ITENE is developing a nano-encapsulation technology that uses complex coacervation of Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) and Gum Arabic (GA) to protect oil-soluble vitamins and omega-unsaturated fatty acids. The coacervate forms at pH 3.7, making it directly compatible with acidic beverages such as soft drinks, juices, and functional drinks. When the pH shifts to neutral, the capsules dissolve and release their payload, enabling controlled delivery of sensitive nutrients.

By combining this coacervation mechanism with scalable nanoemulsification techniques, the technology achieves nanometric capsule sizes that yield optically clear suspensions, a significant advantage over conventional microencapsulation approaches that often produce cloudy or opaque products. All reagents used are food-grade and safe, positioning the solution for direct application in functional food and beverage fortification.

Technical specifications

• Shell materials: Whey Protein Isolate and Gum Arabic, both food-grade biopolymers that form a coacervate through opposite-charge interactions at acidic pH
• Encapsulation trigger: pH 3.7, compatible with acidic beverage matrices
• Release mechanism: capsules redissolve at neutral pH, liberating the encapsulated active ingredients
• Nanoemulsification: scalable high-energy and low-energy homogenization methods produce nanometric droplet templates that enable optically clear suspensions
• Process capabilities: complex coacervation, simple coacervation, double emulsification for both hydrophobic and aqueous-core payloads
• Applications: encapsulation of omega-3 fatty acids, oil-soluble vitamins, and natural pigments
• Validation scope: morphology characterization, chemical and physical stability studies, release kinetics, and cytotoxicity analysis
• Pilot scale: reactors up to 100 L available at ITENE pilot plants

Technology readiness level

The underlying coacervation mechanism has been widely reported for microencapsulation of oil-soluble substances in food and beverage applications. ITENE researchers have previously demonstrated nanoemulsion templates that achieve transparency, and the center is currently setting up a dedicated pilot plant for nanoencapsulation under the Biononanopolys project. A structured five-work-package research plan is proposed covering formulation, nanoemulsion optimization, alternative core architectures, comprehensive stability and safety testing, and pilot-plant validation. The technology is at an advanced development stage with active pilot-scale validation underway, making it suitable for collaborative partnerships aimed at commercial-scale demonstration and product integration.