Encapsulation of lipophilic compounds into saponin micelles

This research project would entail developing a system to encapsulate compounds in order to protect them during processing, storage and digestion. Saponins are a compound found in pants that are made up of water attracting and water repelling components. This balance allows them to group together to form groups of saponins called micelles with the water repelling portions facing inwards. This creates a potential space to encapsulate other compounds that repel water in order to solubilize them. Synthetic compounds exist that are already able to do this, yet consumers are looking for natural plant-based ingredients. Therefore, the objective is to look into the formation of saponin micelles from different plant sources including ginseng, licorice root, or yucca and characterize the structures they form when coming together. Additionally, another objective would be to solubilize water repelling compounds inside the formed structures such as essential oils.

Faculty Supervisor:

Douglas Goff

Student:

Partner:

University of Hohenheim

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Guelph

Program: