Lignin and Starch for Tinting Alternative Foods

The LISTAF project seeks to develop biodegradable photonic materials using starch and lignin as sustainable alternatives to conventional, non-biodegradable colorants in the food industry.

These materials harness photonic color, which offers greater durability compared to pigment-based colors and finds applications across industries. The project centers on three key work packages:1.

Precision production of starch nanoparticles (SNPs) through enzyme-assisted techniques, with a focus on controlling amylopectin branching and optimizing self-assembly conditions.2.

Utilization of lignosulfonates and colloidal lignin as surfactants to stabilize SNPs, exploring variables such as concentration, pH, and addition timing to control SNP size and polydispersity.3.

Development of photonic starch and coatings for food industry applications, including in vitro digestion and fermentation analyses to assess nutritional advantages.Outstanding challenges to address include overcoming SNP aggregation, gaining control over nanoscale starch-lignin interactions, and achieving close-packed assembly of the particles.

The project aims to address these challenges through enzyme-aided research and innovative bio-based surfactant systems.

Ultimately, the goal is to create eco-friendly, cost-effective, and nutritionally valuable materials that align with consumer demand for high-quality food products.

The successful completion of this project will provide me with valuable training in lignin chemistry and bio-photonics, while also enabling me to conduct groundbreaking research in the field of starch applications.

This comprehensive experience will expand my research expertise, yield high-quality publications, and significantly enhance my prospects for securing a faculty position in the future.