Polysaccharide-based food-grade whitener to replace titanium dioxide
A plant-derived particulate platform that delivers whiteness and opacity in foods through optimized light scattering, offering a food-grade alternative to titanium dioxide for sauces, dressings, creamy fillings and dairy alternatives.
Overview
This technology is a food-grade, plant-derived particulate platform engineered to replace titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a whitening and opacifying agent in aqueous and emulsified food systems. It is designed for applications such as sauces, dressings, creamy fillings, and dairy alternatives, where it generates visual whiteness and opacity through optimized light scattering using an approved combination of food-grade ingredients.
The platform addresses growing regulatory and consumer pressure to phase out TiO2 from food products by providing a renewable, edible alternative with a credible pathway to food use. A first-generation prototype has already been evaluated in a commercial sauce matrix, where an optimized loading produced a visual appearance close to a TiO2 control, with color differences below the visual detection threshold before and after mild heat treatment.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Food-grade, plant-derived polysaccharide particulate formulation
- Whitening and opacifying performance achieved through controlled particle size distribution and light scattering
- Suitable for aqueous and emulsified systems, including sauces, dressings, creamy fillings and dairy alternatives
- Opacity validated against a black background, confirming masking performance beyond surface whiteness
- Designed for compatibility with pH, thermal processing, and shelf-life conditions typical of food matrices
- Renewable and edible ingredients with a clear regulatory pathway for food use
Performance validation metrics:
- Lab* color measurement and Delta E against TiO2 benchmarks
- Whiteness index quantification
- Black-background opacity testing
- Rheology, sedimentation, pH and thermal stability assessment
- Preliminary sensory screening
Technology readiness level
The technology is at an early-to-mid development stage. A first-generation prototype has demonstrated proof of concept in a commercial sauce matrix, achieving near-equivalent whitening to TiO2 with sub-threshold color differences and confirmed opacity performance. The next phase involves partner-specific optimization to reduce dosage toward practical use levels, followed by pilot-scale validation and preparation of regulatory and commercial documentation over a staged 12-month plan.
About International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory is an intergovernmental research organization in Braga, Portugal, bringing together multinational scientists and engineers to advance nanoscale innovation and translation. Industry partners access state-of-the-art cleanrooms, micro- and nanofabrication toolsets, and high-resolution electron microscopy via shared-use facilities staffed by expert technologists. Liaison teams structure sponsored R&D, rapid prototyping, and fee-for-service engagements, and the location near the Northern Portugal–Galicia manufacturing corridors enables frequent on-site collaboration. Research is supported by competitive European and national funding alongside direct industry contracts, with a dedicated technology transfer office managing IP and licensing to speed commercialization.
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