Preparation of All-natural Food Thickeners and Whiteners using ?-Glucan obtained from Euglena gracilis Paramylon

Euglena gracilis is a natural and abundant alga that is fed with food nutrients. It converts the food nutrients into a polymer called paramylon. My work is to use very safe science and convert the paramylon into all-natural food additives to replace the synthetic food additives that are prepared using unsustainable resources and hazardous chemicals. Two food additives prepared from the paramylon are food thickeners to improve texture in food products such as vegetarian burgers and food whiteners to improve whiteness in food products such as ice cream, cheese and confectionaries. It is expected that the paramylon food thickeners will replace the synthetic methylcellulose and the paramylon food whitener will replace synthetic titanium dioxide. If this research is successful, we would be able to commercialize our all-natural food additives in the marketplace and compete with the methylcellulose and titanium dioxide market.

Faculty Supervisor:

Neil Emery

Student:

Partner:

Noblegen Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Trent University

Program: