Yili explores microencapsulation for new range of fortified shelf-stable products

Through its European innovation center, Yili will collaborate with University of Cambridge spin-off Xampla to test and validate the latter’s microscopic natural polymer capsules for fortifying vitamins and nutrients in a new range of products.

Microencapsulation enables perishable nutrients like probiotics and vitamins to be encased in a layer of edible membrane and survive specific types of processing, such as UHT treatment. This in turn enables the creation of shelf-stable products fortified with nutrients that would otherwise require refrigeration, or would be destroyed during manufacture.

In addition, the coating protects the ingredients allowing them to pass through the stomach intact and be released in the intestinal tract in order to deliver the required health benefits.

Xampla’s microencapsulation product, Morro Nutri, is said to protect vitamins and nutrients – in particular, oil-based vitamins or flavoring ingredients like probiotics and omega 3 - from degradation caused by UV light, pH and heat shock by encapsulating them in a plant-based material. The solution also works with existing machinery and manufacturing tech and ensures the ingredients’ stability throughout the product’s shelf life.

Alexandra French, CEO of Xampla, said: “Having the support of this leading global dairy brand has further strengthened our position as leaders in food and beverage fortification technology. We look forward to seeing our ground-breaking, world-first microencapsulation technology make its way from the laboratory to a market of health and environment-conscious consumers.”

Gerrit Smit, MD of Yili Innovation Center Europe, said: “We are excited to start this pilot collaboration with Xampla. Yili always strives to bring next-generation products with enhanced nutrition and health to consumers.”

In addition to microencapsulation technology for the food and beverage industry, the company also produces soluble and edible packaging and an alternative to plastic microcapsules for the home and personal care space. 

In 2022, British soft drinks major Britvic joined forces with Xampla​ to develop technology that protects the vitamins in its soft drinks.

Xampla also made a name for itself as a sustainable packaging innovator, having created plant-based edible alternatives​ to plastic films.