Plant-based gummy supplements using pectin-mineral crosslinking
A novel plant-based gummy supplement platform utilizing pectin and divalent minerals for sugar-free gelation, enhancing nutrient stability and bioavailability. This vegan-friendly solution delivers water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins simultaneously, addressing stability and nutritional challenges.
Overview
This innovative solution involves the development of a plant-based gummy supplement platform using low-methoxyl pectin crosslinked with divalent minerals such as Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. Designed to form a sugar-free gel, this system simultaneously delivers water-soluble vitamins in the aqueous phase and fat-soluble vitamins encapsulated in MCT oil droplets. The gummies provide a clean-label, vegan-friendly alternative to traditional gelatin-based supplements, addressing issues like bioavailability and nutrient stability.
Technical specifications
- Pectin-Mineral Crosslinking: Utilizes low-methoxyl pectin crosslinked with divalent minerals for gelation, eliminating the need for sugar.
- Dual-Phase Matrix: Incorporates water-soluble vitamins in the aqueous phase and fat-soluble vitamins in MCT oil droplets, stabilized by pectin.
- Nutrient Delivery: Ensures improved protection and bioavailability of nutrients during processing and digestion.
- Vegan-Friendly: Completely plant-based, suitable for health-conscious and vegan consumers.
Technology readiness level
Currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, the project is undergoing further development. Future validation phases include optimizing the formulation, conducting stability and scalability tests, and evaluating nutrient release using in vitro digestion models.
About Cornell University
Cornell University is a comprehensive private, land-grant research university with campuses in Ithaca and New York City, combining significant scale with cross-disciplinary breadth. Industry connects through open-access user facilities and prototyping labs, pilot-scale testbeds, and a research and technology park that provide pathways from discovery to demonstration. A statewide extension network and integration with a major hospital system enable real-world deployment, while a graduate campus embedded in New York City’s tech corridor provides direct access to startups, venture investors, and corporate R&D teams. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP management, licensing, startup formation, and corporate partnerships across campuses.
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