Nucaps develops UHTCAPS, protecting probiotics during UHT processes

Nucaps launches UHTCAPS, an R&D project with industrial applications that adapts its microencapsulation technology to address a key need in the food and nutraceutical market: incorporating probiotics and bioactive compounds into liquid foods subjected to UHT treatments without losing their functionality.

The innovation is based on the development of bi-structured microcapsules, resistant to temperatures above 130°C and featuring pH-dependent multistage release, capable of protecting sensitive ingredients during thermal processing and ensuring their efficacy after ingestion.
UHTCAPS paves the way for a new generation of long-shelf-life functional foods, such as plant-based drinks, UHT dairy products, or liquid supplements, which have so far been limited by the lack of viable technological solutions. The project includes validation, industrial scaling, and transfer to the agri-food sector, with high potential for international impact.