Optimizing nanoscale characterization of omega-3 fatty acid microcapsules and relation to production parameters

Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC) is a Dartmouth, NS based manufacturer of fish oil derived omega-3 fatty acids(eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), with established dietary supplement and healthfood markets. EPA and DHA are inherently unstable oils at ambient temperature, rapidly forming oxidationproducts with undesirable flavour and odour. Preparation for human consumption therefore typically involvesmicroencapsulation of omega-3 oil, alleviating the undesirable fishy smell or taste associated with oxidation.This Engage proposal will spur a new collaboration between ONC and Dr. Jan Rainey at Dalhousie Universityto leverage Dr. Rainey's expertise in nanoscale characterization of materials. ONC is working to develop newmicroencapsulation procedures but requires robust methodology to relate changes in the production parametersto changes in omega-3 oil microcapules.Dr. Rainey will develop and optimize methods allowing determination of both the morphology and chemistryof microcapsules over the nanometer to micron length scale, or 1/100,000th-1/100th of the width of a humanhair. The technique of atomic force microscopy (AFM), with which Dr. Rainey has over 14 years ofexperience, will be specifically optimized for this application. In AFM, a sharp, nanometer-sized probe isscanned across a sample allowing very accurate measurement of both the height and chemical properties of theindividual molecules on the sample surface. Methods to measure mechanical properties such as the stiffness ofindividual microcapsules (each of which is a fraction of the width of a human hair), will also be optimized. Theclose collaboration between Dr. Rainey and ONC fostered by this Engage project will allow the relationshipbetween encapsulation process parameters and microcapsule properties will be determined allowing ONC torapidly develop improved encapsulation procedures. ONC will gain both new protocols for robust analysis andimproved understanding of its major product.