Encaps2Control

Encaps2Control or ‘controlled release, uptake and enhanced (bio)-availability of active ingredients in ruminant feed and fertilizers by encapsulation’ is a VLAIO supported ICON research project. 

Objectives

The primary objective of the project is to develop a new and sustainable encapsulation technology for the controlled release of active ingredients. The applications are situated in the field of animal feed on one side and organic fertilizers on the other side. Encapsulation is often achieved by placing a fossil based non-degradable coating around the product to be encapsulated. This project aims to start from bio-based renewable materials to develop an eco-friendlier encapsulation process.

Chitin, the second most abundant natural biopolymer after cellulose, is under investigation as the bio-based source for the development of new encapsulating agents within this project. Partner Circular Organics can deliver a steady source of chitin, derived from Black Soldier Fly larvae. 

Also the enzymatic reconstruction of chitin oligosaccharides from monomeric sugars, developed by the research group ‘Metabolic Engineering and Modelling of Microorganisms’ at Ghent University, can be a source of well-defined chitin oligosaccharides.

The depolymerization towards chitin oligosaccharides is challenging and will be investigated via chemical pathways at ChemStream and via enzymatic pathways in the research group ‘Glycodirect’ at Ghent University. 

Further tailored derivatization of oligosaccharides will be investigated at ChemStream for specific applications in the field of partner Kemin’s animal feed and partner De Ceuster Meststoffen’s organic fertilizers.