Liposome Encapsulation of Vitamins to Enhance Storage Properties of Space-Bound Food

InnoSense LLC (ISL) proposes to develop a nanoparticle encapsulation systems for water- and fat-soluble vitamins (VitaCap?) to increase shelf life up to five years for long duration space missions. This encapsulation technology would preserve/enhance the nutrient content of space foods by increasing the amount of bio-active vitamins delivered into the body. Ensuring adequate nutrition that is adapted to these physiological conditions in space, adds a new dimension to the challenges of planned long duration human spaceflight missions beyond low earth orbit (LEO). Phase I feasibility studies are expected to demonstrate that encapsulated vitamins do not degrade and the proposed encapsulation materials do not allow diffusion of the vitamin under processing and storage conditions. It would also be established that bioactive vitamins are released under digestion conditions.