Xampla, a materials innovation company, and the Quadram Institute have secured Innovate UK and BBSRC grant funding to advance probiotic microencapsulation technology.
This grant facilitates a collaboration between Xampla and the Quadram Institute, a renowned research center focused on food and health. Together, they aim to develop innovative probiotic microcapsules designed to enhance gut health and expand the possibilities of food and drink packaging.
Located within the Norwich Research Park, the Quadram Institute houses leading researchers, academics, and NHS clinicians dedicated to promoting healthier lives through breakthroughs in gut health, microbiology, and sustainable food practices.
Probiotics are extremely sensitive to various factors, including oxygen exposure, pH imbalances, and pasteurization, which complicates the preservation of their viability during production, shelf-life, and digestion.
Historically, the industry has faced limitations regarding the types of products that can include probiotics and the strains that can be utilized. However, Xampla’s cutting-edge microencapsulation technology aims to safeguard probiotics throughout the manufacturing process, transit, and storage phases, ensuring that consumers receive products with maximum efficacy.
This innovation not only strives to extend the shelf-life of refrigerated and ambient probiotics but also guarantees enteric release once ingested, thereby maximizing health benefits and enhancing food and drink sustainable packaging solutions.
Xampla’s microencapsulation technology has already shown efficacy in protecting vitamin D in fortified beverages for Britvic, a leader in the soft drinks industry. This technology preserves product stability even in challenging conditions, such as exposure to sunlight.
Anticipated growth in the global probiotics market underscores the need for such innovations. Projections indicate an increase from £77 billion in 2024 to £170 billion by 2030.[1] This rising demand highlights the importance of addressing key challenges in probiotic delivery and unlocking new opportunities for product development and consumer health advantages.
Xampla has leveraged 15 years of research at the University of Cambridge, establishing itself as a pioneer in the development of the world’s first natural plant polymer materials for commercial applications.
Professor Arjan Narbad, along with his translational microbiome research group at the Quadram Institute, will contribute their expertise in microbial ecology and the gut microbiome to this project. Leveraging state-of-the-art facilities, they will evaluate how microencapsulated probiotics in various consumer products influence the microbiome.
Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, stated: “Our nutrient microencapsulation technology has already demonstrated remarkable success in encapsulating sensitive compounds such as vitamins. With this grant funding, we aim to advance the probiotic market by ensuring that vital ingredients for gut health can be seamlessly integrated into everyday products.”
Dr. Roberto Zanchi, Head of Business Development and Commercialisation at the Quadram Institute, remarked: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Xampla to broaden its microencapsulation technology specifically for probiotics. This partnership will drive advancements in improving shelf-life and viability of probiotics, enhancing their efficacy, and ultimately improving health outcomes for consumers.”
For further details, please visit xampla.com.
[1] Grand Review Research, 2024: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/probiotics-market
