Developing microencapsulation technology
The key stages of developing the Riddet Institute’s microencapsulation technology, which allows manufacturers to add fish oil to foods, are described here.
Identifying the opportunity
Homogenising the fish oil and protein mixture
Homogenising the fish oil and protein mixture creates and encapsulates tiny fish oil droplets.
Researchers at Riddet Institute were aware of the benefits of omega-3 and the increasing consumer demand for health-enhancing functional foods. Omega-3 enriched food is a rapidly growing functional food category, but no one previously had found a way of adding significant amounts to food without it oxidising and affecting the taste. The Riddet Institute saw a real commercial opportunity for a technology that would allow them to add larger quantities of omega-3 to food.
Microencapsulating fish oil
Fish oil can be microencapsulated and added to foods without making them taste or smell fishy. In this animated video you can see how the fish oil is microencapsulated.
Prior knowledge applied to problem
Researchers at the Riddet Institute already had a lot of scientific knowledge and understanding that would help them solve the problem. They had existing knowledge about modifying protein structures that could be applied to microencapsulation technology.
Microencapsulation technology meets market opportunity
Most of us don’t eat enough fish to meet the recommended daily intake of omega-3. To increase our intake, scientists at the Riddet Institute are developing a new process for fortifying foods with omega-3. This process is difficult because adding large amounts of omega-3 to foods can make them taste and smell fishy.
Prior knowledge allows new technology
Researchers at the Riddet Institute know a lot about protein structures and how to modify them. The researchers used this knowledge to develop a new system for enriching food with omega-3 from fish oil.
Prototypes test the technology
After developing the microencapsulation technology, they needed to test it. Food technologists at the Riddet Institute made prototypes to test the technology worked and to gauge consumer interest and acceptance. They also marketed it to food manufacturers to get interest from the food industry and find a company to manufacture the emulsion.
Forming a joint venture
Reasons for patenting technology
Researchers at Riddet Institute knew there was an opportunity to sell their microencapsulation technology to food companies. Having a patent is important because it proves the technology is unique. Companies who make new technologies look for a patent for this reason.
They formed a joint venture company, called Speirs Nutritionals Limited, involving Speirs Group Ltd, Massey University and the Bio Commerce Centre in Palmerston North. Speirs built a manufacturing plant in Marton where they make, market and distribute the emulsion.
Forming a company was important to take the technology to market because it needed people with a range of expertise. The Riddet Institute has the knowledge and capability, while the other partners have expertise in manufacturing and marketing. Together, they have exclusive rights to the intellectual property that is patented to protect it from being copied.
Marketing the technology
Scientists taste enriched ice cream
Scientists taste the enriched ice cream at Massey University pilot plant.
Speirs Nutritionals Ltd manufactures the emulsion, a white liquid, and markets it to food industries in New Zealand and overseas. Food industries that buy the emulsion make the decision about what foods they will add it to according to their consumer market.
On-going research and development
The Riddet Institute is continuing to develop new food prototypes with the emulsion added. This helps with marketing by demonstrating new possibilities to food industries and proving the effectiveness of the technology. They have added it successfully to muffins and bread, flavoured milk, yoghurt and ice cream.
