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REDIT – Developing new microorganism-based products

EARTO Innovation Awards 2020 – Impact Expected Category

Products based on microorganisms, such as probiotics or bio-fertilizers, are used to help people’s good health and well-being. These products are already available on the market but most of them can be found only in liquid form. This form increases the logistics and production cost and reduces the shelf life of the products. Several spray-drying technologies offer products in powder form, but their high-temperature can lead to microorganisms’ cell damage.

Innovation: AINIA, EARTO member through REDIT Innovation Network, developed the CAPSULAC, a technology to get stable microorganism-based products which combines biotechnology and spray-drying technology. CAPSULAC has the form of powder without losing the viability and properties of the microorganisms. It uses a microencapsulation process with a previous bioprocess to enhance thermal resistance, increasing the microorganisms’ survival and protecting them against damaging factors.

Impact Expected: AINIA’s innovation therefore increases the quality of the microorganism-based products and their functionality. They can be implemented in an industrial environment within one year and can reach the market within the next 2-3 years. So far 5 companies have expressed their interest and 15 orders have been submitted, including 4 different sectors (agriculture, food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical).