Formulation & delivery

Science programme: Formulation & delivery

Our main research focus is in developing novel delivery processes for high value formulations using micro- and nano-scale encapsulation techniques.

These formulations incorporate bio-compounds developed by HortResearch like fruit bioactives, phytochemicals, prebiotic fibres and probiotics.

Some current projects are:

• Delivery of kiwifruit fibre with probiotics by microencapsulation.  These products benefit gut health. The microcapsules have been trialled in a laboratory scale simulated digestive model. 
• Microencapsulation of phytonutrients suspended in an oil formulation and encapsulated in a food-grade polymer.  The encapsulation is used to mask the unpleasant tastes of these products and to enable controlled delivery to targeted sites in the digestive system.
• The development of a new class of low moisture, high nutrient, attractive novel fruit products.  These have excellent nutritional qualities and they can be modified to be used as a delivery mechanism for some of the unique HortResearch fruit -derived products.
• Formulation of Biological Control Agents, including live organisms, ready for horticultural application, with the ultimate aim to reduce the level of pesticides on our fruit.

Encapsulation Technology:

Encapsulation technology generally involves the protection of some target material in a matrix or coating so as to provide some beneficial property or application mode. 

The techniques we are primarily researching are based on the co-extrusion of core and shell suspensions and fluids to form either homogenous spheres or two or more phase core/shell capsules.

Our Science Expertise:

• Materials science
• Fluid dynamics
• Micro-fluidic design
• Rheology (including electrostatic and interfacial rheology)
• Numerical simulation
• Mechanical design and simulation 
• Formulation chemistry
• Polymer chemistry
• Microbiology
• Efficacy testing (in vitro/vivo including microbiological)
• Process design and engineering

Commercial Products:

HortResearch has developed these products using our Formulation and Delivery capabilities:

• Time Capsule^TM :  A continuous casting technology for the manufacture of a controlled release intraruminal animal remedy delivery device.
• VIGILANT® : A simple non-spray alternative for selectively controlling invasive weed species.
• Stemject® : A tree injection system used for injecting compounds into the central transition/hardwood area of trees.
• Tipit Pruning Gel and Actin: Growth regulator gels.
• TREET™:   A natural compound based fungicide and is applied into trees using the Stemject system.

Scientific collaboration:

• Nutrigenomics  : Pre-biotic encapsulants protecting pro-biotic bacteria for targeted delivery in the GI tract.  This concept product delivers the synergies of a combination of prebiotics and probiotics.
• Bioprotection-Biosecurity  : Encapsulations of volatile pheromone compounds, pheromone precursors, and pH buffer matrices for the control of orchard pests.
• Functional foods  : Encapsulations of  custimised foods and ingredients.
• Quality systems-Optimising fruit production  : Orchard reflecting mats to enhance photosynthesis and even fruit ripening.
• Biological control agents  : Formulations containing live organisms  to treat botrytis that were developed by using fluidised bed/spray drying technologies.

For a better understanding of our works, we recommend the following documents:

• D.Y. Ying, Parkar S, Luo XX, Seelye R, Sharpe JC, Barker D, Saunders J, Schroeder R, Pereira R, “Microencapsulation of probiotics using kiwifruit polysaccharide and alginate chitosan.” Acta Horticulture, 2006, in press.
• D.Y. Ying, Parkar S, Luo XX, Seelye R, Sharpe JC, Barker D, Saunders J, Schroeder R, Pereira R, “Encapsulation of probiotics using kiwifruit polysaccharide.” Proc. 6^th International Kiwifruit Symposium, 21-24 Feb 2006, Rotorua , New Zealand .
• D.Y. Ying, L.X. Luo, B. Young and A.F. Julian, “In Vivo Biocompatibility of a Novel Ceramic-Metal Biocomposite”, Key Engineering Materials Vols. 284-286 (2005) pp. 807-810.
• D.Y. Ying, D.L. Zhang and M. Newby, "Solid State Reactions During Heating Mechanically Milled Al/TiO₂ Powders." Metallurgical and Materials Transaction A , 35(7) (2004) 2115-2125.
• D.Y. Ying, X. Luo, S. Gavin, D. Barker, R. McDonald and R. Munday, “Development of a Generic Bolus Carrier for the Controlled Release of Animal Remedies.” Proc. 8th International Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference, 18-20 November, 2002, Auckland , New Zealand .