Characterization of chitosan-based particles for the encapsulation of phytochemicals obtained from by-products

• Grant number: 25/13009-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Milena Martelli Tosi
• Grantee: Maria Eduarda Tofoli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03055-0 - Sustainable use of phytochemicals extracted from agro-industrial by-products: encapsulation, biological evaluation and application as food additives, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

The processing of fruits and vegetables generates a substantial amount of by-products that remain rich in bioactive compounds and natural polymers. Preliminary analyses conducted by our research group identified promising antioxidant potential in by-products such as acerola, grape, coffee, and passion fruit. Some of these materials also showed antimicrobial activity, reinforcing their potential as natural additives or active agents in controlled-release systems. This project aims to characterize, from a physicochemical and morphological perspective, particles obtained through the encapsulation of active compounds extracted from these by-products. The study will also include stability assessments of the encapsulated systems under different conditions of time, temperature, and pH. The student researcher will directly support the main project associated with this proposal, contributing to the experimental activities and data analysis. (AU)