Scaling up Vitamin D microcapsules for improved fortification in beverages

维生素D缺乏症在世界范围内普遍存在，这可能对骨骼健康和免疫力产生负面影响。在英国，所有年龄组的平均摄入量远低于10微克的推荐营养摄入量（RNI），包括三分之一的成年人（NDNS结果来自9-11岁的总和）。尽管英国政府建议在冬季服用补充剂，但依从性非常低（英国国民保健署）。这是一个全球性的问题，大约有10亿人处于低水平。随着越来越多的人转向以植物为基础的饮食，出于健康和环境的原因，省略或减少了天然含有维生素D的动物源性食物，问题变得更加严重。世界卫生组织（WHO）认为强化食品是解决普遍维生素D缺乏症的关键策略。为了产生最大的影响，维生素D需要被纳入所有年龄组经常消费的类别，并且是所有社会人口都负担得起的和有吸引力的。因此，南瓜是一种理想的强化载体，然而，这可能具有挑战性，因为维生素D会被紫外线、低pH值和巴氏消毒等过程降解。Xampla开发了一种创新的植物微胶囊技术，可以在具有挑战性的饮料配方中保护维生素D。Xampla一直在与Britvic合作，以提高他们的产品添加维生素的强化。该项目的目的是证明创新维生素D微胶囊制造的可扩展性和成本效率，并降低风险，从而使饮料中维生素D的强化得到广泛应用。这个项目将使我们能够加速我们雄心勃勃的计划，生产所需的微胶囊的数量，以有效地增强维生素D和其他营养素的产品，并为全球人口提供更好、更健康的食品和饮料。

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide which can have negative impacts on bone health and immunity. In the UK, mean intakes are well below the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of 10ug across all age groups- including up to a third of all adults (NDNS results from years 9-11 combined). Despite a UK government recommendation to take a supplement during winter months, compliance is very low (NHS UK). This is a global issue with about 1 billion people with low levels.The problem is exacerbated as more people transition towards a plant-based diets omitting or reducing animal derived foods that naturally contain Vitamin D for both health and environmental reasons.The World Health Organisation recognises fortification of foods as a key strategy to address widespread Vitamin D deficiency (WHO).To have the greatest impact vitamin D needs to be included in categories consumed across all age groups regularly and are affordable and attractive for all socio-demographics. Fruit squashes are therefore an ideal vehicle for fortification, however, this can prove challenging as Vitamin D is degraded by UV light, low pH and processes such as pasteurisation. Xampla has developed an innovative plant-based microencapsulation technology that protects Vitamin D in challenging beverage formulations. Xampla has been working in partnership with Britvic to improve the fortification of their products with added vitamins.The aim of this project is to demonstrate and de-risk the scalability and cost efficiency of innovative vitamin D microcapsule manufacturing, to enable widespread vitamin D fortification of beverages.This project will allow us to accelerate our ambitious plans to produce the volumes of microcapsules required to efficiently fortify more products with vitamin D and other nutrients, and deliver better, healthier food and drink for the global population.