This project was completed under the sponsorship of Incredible Foods. Edible alginate membranes can be used to encapsulate foods. This has utility in the food packaging industry for plastic waste reduction and extending shelf life. We explored a new use for encapsidated foods - an edible bioreactor for cultured probiotics. We confirmed the feasibility of yogurt production in alginate spheres quantifying growth progression. We also showed that probiotic yeasts can survive in yogurt culture, demonstrating that designer probiotics can be cultured while encapsidated. This study builds the foundation for a unique biomanufacturing modality where cultured products can be grown after encapsidation.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Ialongo, Luca
• Cox, Liam
• Doyle, Jillian
• Cerbo, Gabriella

Subject

• Health
• Environment
• Food

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042622-163035
• 63941

Keyword

• encapsulation
• probiotic
• encapsidation
• yogurt
• bioreactor
• alginate

Advisor

• Young, Eric Mosher

Year

• 2022

Sponsor

• Incredible Foods, Inc.
• Marty Kolewe
• Chris Hango

Date created

• 2022-04-26

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright