At the crossroads of food science, biotechnology, and health innovation, Symbiosis Biotek is pioneering advanced microencapsulation technologies that protect and enhance the performance of sensitive bioactive ingredients such as probiotics, vitamins, antioxidants, and oils.
Founded by Aylin Santelices, the Chilean biotech startup focuses on transforming traditional ingredients into functional, high-value components for the food, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries—helping bridge the gap between innovation and everyday wellness. With applications that extend from nutrition to beauty, Symbiosis Biotek’s technology is poised to support health-focused transformation across global markets, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
What are the main applications of your microencapsulation technology?
Our microencapsulation technology is designed to protect and enhance delicate ingredients such as probiotics, vitamins, antioxidants, or oils. In simple terms, we shield these compounds from heat, humidity, and light, which would normally degrade them and reduce their health benefits.
Another advantage is controlled release—we can determine when and where the ingredient is released in the body. For example, ensuring that a probiotic reaches the intestine instead of degrading in the stomach, thus maximizing its effectiveness.
The same applies to flavors and aromas—imagine a vanilla flavor releasing its full intensity the moment it reaches your mouth. This versatility allows us to incorporate functional ingredients into a wide variety of products: beverages, nutritional bars, bakery items, or even cosmetic formulations.
How can your innovations support the food, nutraceutical, and cosmetics industries in the MENA region?
The MENA region has a rich culinary tradition and, at the same time, faces public health challenges, such as iron deficiency and lifestyle-related diseases. This represents a major opportunity to develop functional foods that improve health while respecting local food culture—and at Symbiosis Biotek, we want to be part of that transformation.
Our technology enables traditional foods—those already part of local diets—to become vehicles for better health.
For the food and nutraceutical industries, one of the biggest challenges is maintaining sensory quality. Functional ingredients often alter taste or smell. Our encapsulation process helps mask undesirable sensory characteristics, ensuring that healthy can also mean delicious.
Can you share results or case studies demonstrating the performance of your functional ingredients?
In one of our research projects, we developed a pet snack containing microencapsulated omega-3 DHA derived from microalgae. The product was validated by a veterinary research team and showed impressive results in just 10 days—helping regulate cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Specifically, it increased HDL (good cholesterol) by 10 mg/dL and significantly reduced total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, corresponding to a 30% reduction in cardiovascular risk.
In comparison, when using non-encapsulated omega-3, a substantial fraction degraded during the industrial process. Sensory analysis also showed that the typical fish odor of omega-3 became almost imperceptible after encapsulation—an additional consumer-friendly advantage.
Are you seeking partnerships with food producers, pharmaceutical companies, or cosmetics brands in the Gulf region?
Yes, absolutely. We’re primarily looking for partners in the food sector, especially manufacturers of dry or semi-moist products such as cereal bars, snacks, and biscuits who want to differentiate their products, make them more competitive, and transform them into functional foods—products that not only nourish but also promote specific health benefits.
For example, omega-3-enriched products that support brain and cardiovascular health. We believe the Gulf region’s growing focus on wellness, nutrition, and innovation makes it the ideal market to bring our technology and solutions to life.
(c) latingulf.ae 2025
