In this study, we look for oil-soluble natural antioxidants and for existing natural antioxidants that become oil-soluble by modification.
In brief:
- Food and cosmetics use oils and fats that can go bad. To prevent this, antioxidants are added.
- The antioxidants currently used are mostly of synthetic origin. Companies want to evolve towards natural antioxidants.
- We investigate oil-soluble natural antioxidants and oil-soluble natural antioxidants that do not have this property.
Contact
- Research centre Sustainable Industries
- Funding: PWO
- Research duration: 1 January 2021 - 31 August 2024
- Partners: Delphy, Ecotreasures, Flanders Food, Food Pilot, Inagro, Proefcentrum Herent, Vandemoortele Centre (UGent), Wouters
Problem statement
Vegetable oils and fats are used in all kinds of applications such as food and cosmetics. Oils and fats can oxidise (= go bad) through contact with air combined with increased temperature and/or sunlight. Antioxidants are added to oils and fats to prevent oxidation. The antioxidants currently used are mostly of synthetic origin. Companies want to evolve towards natural antioxidants.
Research question
In this research, we want to search for oil-soluble natural antioxidants or modify existing natural antioxidants in such a way that they become oil-soluble. In consultation with the project partners, natural raw materials (crops and by-products from food and agriculture) will be selected. Antioxidants are extracted from these raw materials via extraction. Application tests are carried out with the most promising extracts, for example in spreads and in the stabilisation of frying oil.
Output
At the end of the project, there will be a report providing an overview of natural, oil-soluble antioxidants, their availability and origin as well as possible applications. In addition, there will be optimised reaction procedures to modify antioxidants to become oil-soluble.
Researchers
Want to know more, collaborate or have a press question?
You can collaborate with our research centre Sustainable Industries on topics such as:
- Greening chemical processes and reusing waste streams.
- AI-based tools developed in-house, to optimise your processes and products.
- Developing alternative propulsion systems, alternative fuel systems, and emission measurements of internal combustion engines.
- Vehicle data analyses using simulations and reverse engineering on CAN bus systems.
Contact us without obligation
- Call +32 3 502 22 16
- E-mail jeroen.geuens@kdg.be