Improving Ecuadorian Child Nutrition By Using Mango By-Products As Potential Sources of Bioactive Compounds

This proposal aims to contribute to the mitigation of vitamin A deficiency in Ecuador through the use of mango industrial by -products as a source of carotenoid through the optimization of "green" extraction processes. Encapsulation techniques will be developed to stabilize extracted carotenoids providing additional prebiotic functionality. A friendly food formulation for children will be developed and the efficacy of carotenoid liberation and absorption will be evaluated by in-vitro tests. The behavior of the intestinal microbiota in the digestion process of this food formulation will also be analyzed. Other bioactive compounds with potential commercial value from mango by -products (for example, polyphenols, protein) will also be explored. This interdisciplinary research project implies a consortium of 2 flamenco institutions (Ugent and Vito) and 2 Ecuadorian institutions (Ucuenca and EPN). All partners will contribute their experience to the implementation of the proposed work packages: (i) harmonization of carotenoid analysis methods and mango collection (Vito, EPN, Ucueca and UGENT); (Iii) Optimization of the encapsulation process of extracted carotenoids (EPN), (IV) Evaluation of the bioaccessibility of the encapsulated extracts of carotenoids and food formulations (UCUENCA), (v) Evaluation of the bioavailability of the encapsulated extracts of carotene (UGENT). Project results can be used as a case study to add by -products value of other tropical fruits to establish a new type of biorefinery in tropical countries such as Ecuador.