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Research

A Novel Upcycled Bioactive Natural Product Coating for Ultra-Processed Food Fortification

Leonard Lerer¹, Alexander Buko², Siti Rabaah¹ and Chiakyeen Wong¹ · ¹Ecoaccess Sdn Bhd, Malaysia · ²Human Metabolome Technologies America, Boston, USA

In collaboration withHMT, Human Metabolome Technologies

Key Lipid Oxidation Results

Potato chips on two trays with spray bottles: control (C) and RC003-coated experiment (E)

RC003-coated chips showed 22% lower lipid oxidation after 6 days of accelerated storage at 40 °C.

p-Anisidine at Days 0, 4 and 6

p-Anisidine values on Days 0, 4 and 6 for flavored and unflavored potato chips, control and RC003-coated. Values are listed in the table below the chart.-0.50.51.52.53.54.55.5046Dayp-AVLNSC (Flavored chips, control), Day 0: p-AV 0.4LNSC (Flavored chips, control), Day 4: p-AV 1.2LNSC (Flavored chips, control), Day 6: p-AV 0.5LNSE (Flavored chips, RC003-coated), Day 0: p-AV -0.1LNSE (Flavored chips, RC003-coated), Day 4: p-AV 1.1LNSE (Flavored chips, RC003-coated), Day 6: p-AV 1.1STAXC (Unflavored chips, control), Day 0: p-AV 1.9STAXC (Unflavored chips, control), Day 4: p-AV 4.8STAXC (Unflavored chips, control), Day 6: p-AV 2.3STAXE (Unflavored chips, RC003-coated), Day 0: p-AV 0.6STAXE (Unflavored chips, RC003-coated), Day 4: p-AV 4STAXE (Unflavored chips, RC003-coated), Day 6: p-AV 2.7
  • LNSC Flavored chips, control
  • LNSE Flavored chips, RC003-coated
  • STAXC Unflavored chips, control
  • STAXE Unflavored chips, RC003-coated

p-AV values read from the poster chart (approximate). Higher values indicate more secondary lipid oxidation.

Show the values as a table
SampleDay 0Day 4Day 6
LNSC Flavored chips, control0.41.20.5
LNSE Flavored chips, RC003-coated-0.11.11.1
STAXC Unflavored chips, control1.94.82.3
STAXE Unflavored chips, RC003-coated0.642.7

Major constituent groups on fortified chips

Metabolomic componentsIdentified on coated chipsFortification functionality
Simple sugarsXylose, isomaltose, glucoseAntioxidant, antimicrobial
Phenolic compoundsFlavonoids, polyphenolsAntioxidant, beneficial bioactive molecules
Small peptidesAromatic, His and leucine peptidesAntioxidant, beneficial bioactive molecules
Organic acidsLactic acidAntimicrobial, flavor stabilization
OsmolytesBetaine and sorbitolProtein metabolism support, food preservation

Background and methods

  1. The health challenge of ultra-processed foods

    Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) constitute approximately 60% of dietary intake in many industrialized countries and are associated with obesity, chronic disease, reduced cognitive performance and shortened lifespan. UPF production strips grains, vegetables and fruit of the bioactive molecules contained in their skins and husks. These bioactive molecules have antioxidant, micronutrient replacement and gut microbiome functionality, thereby contributing to a health-promoting diet.

  2. RC003 description, study objectives and methods

    RC003 is an upcycled food ingredient (acidogenic fermented, natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) extract of fruits, vegetables, rice bran and bakery side streams combined with a 10% (v/v) polyphenol extract from palm press fiber). RC003 was sprayed as a coating on commercial potato chips (flavored and unflavored) and compared with DI-water coated controls. To evaluate the transfer of natural functional metabolites from RC003 to ultra-processed potato chips, we performed metabolomic profiling and identified compounds with potential antioxidant, functional nutritional, antimicrobial and food-preservation properties.

  3. Analysis

    Metabolomic analysis: capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE–MS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS), with complementary extraction workflows for polar and lipid metabolites. Library-based annotation and targeted quantification were combined into a metabolite inventory. Secondary lipid oxidation product levels were estimated through p-anisidine measurement on Days 0, 4 and 6.

Conclusions

A promising UPF preservation and fortification ingredient.

RC003 functions as an upcycled coating that restores natural bioactive molecules and reduces lipid oxidation in a UPF model.

Future research

  1. Long-term shelf life studies

  2. Safety testing, organoleptic profile and consumer preference

  3. Digestion studies for gut metabolite delivery

  4. Human nutrition studies including metabolomic markers

View the original poster (image) →

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