Polymers are essential components in many foods and personal care products. They help define texture, stability, and overall product performance. However, many of the polymers and functional ingredients currently in use are produced through environmentally intensive chemical processes or through fermentation using genetically modified microorganisms. As demand continues to grow, there is a clear need for more sustainable, plant-based alternatives.
Lactic acid bacteria naturally produce exopolysaccharides—biopolymers with promising applications in food, health, and cosmetic products. These biobased, plant-derived materials can function as stabilizers, thickeners, sugar replacers, and prebiotics. They have potential use in a wide range of products, including yogurt, beverages, confectionery, bakery items, creams, and shampoos.
Carbexplore aims to develop and validate a sustainable fermentation-based platform that uses carefully selected lactic acid bacterial strains to produce specific exopolysaccharides. By tailoring strain selection, production becomes more targeted, efficient, and environmentally friendly, offering a viable alternative to current synthetic or animal-derived ingredients.
At the University Medical Center Groningen, researchers from the Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Dr. Marijke Faas, Dr. Luis Silva Lagos, and Eric Hiddingh, MSc, focus on evaluating the functional and health-related effects of these lactic acid bacteria and their products. They will examine pre- and probiotic effects on the gut microbiome, study impacts on intestinal barrier integrity, assess mucus production by intestinal epithelial cells, and investigate immunological effects.
This research will contribute to a better understanding of how these natural ingredients can support human health while offering sustainable industrial applications.
This project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021–2027, which aims to strengthen the regional economy in the northern Netherlands. The program is a collaboration between the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe, and Fryslân, together with the Economic Board Northern Netherlands. The SNN (Northern Netherlands Partnership) is responsible for managing and implementing the ERDF program, with a focus on fostering innovation and improving the regional business climate
