Postdoctoral research “Possibilities of using agricultural products for the extraction of prebiotics for microencapsulation of synbiotic products” has been launched.
The project aims to develop new, sustainable agricultural product utilization technologies for the extraction of prebiotics and their application in the microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria. The project combines agriculture, food biotechnology and microbiology, creating the basis for new functional food solutions.
The project is based on the idea of efficient and responsible use of local resources. The research uses potatoes and barley straw bred in Latvia as agricultural products and by-products that contain valuable substances with the potential to promote the health of the human gut microbiota.
The project will apply methods for the extraction of resistant starch (RS2 and RS3) from potatoes and xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from barley straw. These substances act as prebiotics, promoting the growth and activity of beneficial intestinal bacteria.
The resulting prebiotics will be tested in laboratory conditions to evaluate their effect on probiotic bacteria ( Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus spp.) . Based on the results obtained, synbiotic microcapsules combining both prebiotics and probiotics will be developed.
Microencapsulation will protect probiotic bacteria during the digestive process and ensure their more efficient delivery to the colon, where they will provide beneficial effects.
The project will support the principles of the circular economy by transforming agricultural products and by-products into valuable biotechnological solutions.
The research will be carried out at the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics in collaboration with the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technology and the University of Oviedo in Spain.
During the project, it is planned to publish scientific articles in internationally recognized journals and develop a practically applicable prototype of synbiotic microcapsules.
The research is being implemented within the framework of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027, specific support objective 1.1.1. “Strengthening research and innovation capacity and introducing advanced technologies into the common R&D system”, measure 1.1.1.9. “Post-doctoral research” .
More about the project: https://www.arei.lv/lv/projekti/2026/lauksaimniecibas-produktu-izmantosanas-iespejas-prebiotiku-ieguvei-sinbiotisku
