Phospholipids in Nutrition—From Delivery Vehicle to Active Ingredient

INFORM seminars offer AOCS members a deeper look beyond the printed page. Each month, we expand on a featured INFORM magazine article through an in-depth conversation with the author, exploring the research, context, and implications behind the work.

New seminars are released every third Wednesday of the month and are exclusive to AOCS members. Join us to gain added perspective, hear directly from the researchers, and stay connected to the science shaping oils, fats, lipids, and related fields.

Course Description

Explore the science behind phospholipids, bioavailability, and the future of nutritional ingredients

Phospholipids are essential building blocks of every living cell and have long been valued for their functionality in food, supplements, and pharmaceutical applications. Traditionally used as delivery vehicles to improve the stability and absorption of nutrients, phospholipids are now gaining attention for another reason: their potential to act as active nutritional ingredients in their own right.

Join AOCS for an INFORM seminar featuring Jochen Ziegler, Head of BU Nutrition at Lipoid GmbH, as he expands on his INFORM article, “Phospholipids in Nutrition: From Delivery Vehicle to Active Ingredient.” In this discussion, Ziegler explores how phospholipids support nutrient delivery through liposomes and emulsions, why phospholipid purity matters in formulation performance, and the emerging science surrounding phosphatidylcholine (PC) in human health.

Participants will gain insight into the differences between lecithin and purified phospholipids, the role of phospholipid-based delivery systems in improving bioavailability, and how phosphatidylcholine may support liver, cardiovascular, and cognitive health. The seminar will also examine how phospholipid technologies are shaping the future of nutritional formulations, including emerging applications in longevity-focused supplements.

What you’ll learn:

• The role of phospholipids in cell membranes, lipid transport, and digestion
• How liposomes and phospholipid emulsions improve nutrient stability and bioavailability
• Key differences between lecithin and purified phospholipids—and why purity matters in formulation performance
• The emerging role of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in liver, cardiovascular, and cognitive health
• Challenges and opportunities in phospholipid purification and nutritional ingredient development
• How phospholipid-based systems are supporting innovation in nutraceuticals and longevity-focused formulations

Featured Speaker

Jochen Ziegler is Head of BU Nutrition at Lipoid GmbH in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where he leads the company’s health nutrition application efforts. His work focuses on advancing the commercialization of purified phospholipids as active nutritional ingredients, translating lipid science into innovative nutrition and health applications.

This INFORM seminar accompanies the INFORM article, “Phospholipids in Nutrition: From Delivery Vehicle to Active Ingredient,” offering attendees the opportunity to hear directly from the author about the research, scientific context, and future implications of phospholipids in nutrition and ingredient science.

Whether you work in nutrition, food science, ingredient innovation, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, or lipid research, this seminar offers valuable insights into the evolving role of phospholipids in modern health and nutrition.