Meestersgraadstudent Coleman Khupe van die Departement Chemiese Ingenieurswese aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch doen navorsing oor die voorbereiding en prestasie-evaluering van kriogels vir die inkapseling van mikrovoedingstowwe en bioaktiewe verbindings. Die projek fokus op die vervaardiging van kriogels met behulp van pektien afgelei van afval-lemoenskille deur die vriesdroogtegniek. Die primêre doel is om model bioaktiewe verbindings, spesifiek feruliensuur, kwersetien en retinol, in te kapsel, en om die prestasie van hierdie kriogels onder berging en in vitro-toestande te evalueer.

Coleman se navorsing behels verskeie doelwitte, beginnende met die optimalisering van pektien-ekstraksie en gelvorming met behulp van reaksie-oppervlakmetodologie. Die voorbereiding en karakterisering van die kriogels sal assesserings van hul morfologie en meganiese eienskappe insluit, beide voor en na die laai van die bioaktiewe verbindings. Die studie sal ook die laai- en vrystellingsprofiele van hierdie verbindings bepaal terwyl potensiële interaksies tussen die matriks en die verbindings self geëvalueer word. Verder sal die prestasie van die kriogels onder in vitro-toestande en tydens berging geassesseer word, tesame met die meting van die antioksidanteienskappe van die verbindings en hul onderskeie biobeskikbaarheid.

Een van die verwagte uitkomste van hierdie navorsing is die ontwikkeling van 'n tegnologie wat die volgehoue ​​stadige vrystelling van mikrovoedingstowwe en bioaktiewe verbindings moontlik maak. Hierdie vooruitgang kan die biobeskikbaarheid en stabiliteit van kwersetien, feruliensuur en retinol verbeter, wat bekend is vir hul gesondheidsvoordele, maar dikwels aan swak oplosbaarheid en onstabiliteit ly.

Die potensiële toepassings van hierdie navorsing sluit in voedselfunksionalisering en -versterking, wat kan lei tot verbeterde gesondheidsvoordele, veral in die aanspreek van degeneratiewe kwale. Daarbenewens is die studie daarop gemik om afval-lemoenskille te valoriseer, in lyn met globale volhoubaarheidsdoelwitte en by te dra tot 'n nul-afvalbenadering terwyl die ekonomiese vooruitsigte van die vrugteverwerkingsbedryf verbeter word. Coleman se navorsing weerspieël 'n verbintenis tot die bevordering van kennis op die gebied van voeding en volhoubaarheid.

Promotor: Prof. Annie Chimpango – Departement Chemiese Ingenieurswese, Universiteit StellenboschMaster’s student Coleman Khupe from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Stellenbosch University is conducting research on the preparation and performance evaluation of cryogels for the encapsulation of micronutrients and bioactive compounds. The project focuses on producing cryogels using pectin derived from waste orange peels through the freeze-drying technique. The primary aim is to encapsulate model bioactive compounds, specifically ferulic acid, quercetin, and retinol, and to evaluate the performance of these cryogels under storage and in-vitro conditions.

Coleman’s research involves several objectives, starting with the optimisation of pectin extraction and gel formation using response surface methodology. The preparation and characterisation of the cryogels will include assessments of their morphology and mechanical properties, both before and after loading the bioactive compounds. The study will also determine the loading and release profiles of these compounds while evaluating potential interactions between the matrix and the compounds themselves. Furthermore, the performance of the cryogels will be assessed under in-vitro conditions and during storage, alongside measurement of the antioxidant properties of the compounds and their respective bioavailability.

One of the anticipated outcomes of this research is the development of a technology that allows for the sustained slow release of micronutrients and bioactive compounds. This advancement could improve the bioavailability and stability of quercetin, ferulic acid, and retinol, which are known for their health benefits but often suffer from poor solubility and instability.

The potential applications of this research include food functionalisation and fortification, which may lead to improved health benefits, particularly in addressing degenerative ailments. Additionally, the study aims to valorise waste orange peels, aligning with global sustainability goals and contributing to a zero-waste approach while enhancing the economic prospects of the fruit processing industry. Coleman’s research reflects a commitment to advancing knowledge in the fields of nutrition and sustainability.

Supervisor: Prof. Annie Chimpango – Department of Chemical Engineering, Stellenbosch University