Sustainable green processing models for the obtention of novel proteins and their application as nutritional food powdered ingredients

Project Details

Description

Currently, it is well-known that malnutrition and hunger disorders are among the major social issues worldwide. The triple burden of malnutrition entails: undernourishment, micronutrient deficiencies and overnutrition (overweight and obesity), these issues remain a leading cause of global mortality and morbidity, yet a global health emergency, affecting worldwide population.
The development of novel biofunctional fortifiers and ingredients rich in proteins with high nutritional value in terms of high essential amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine) and minerals (Fe, Zn, Na, Se, Mn, Ca, P) as well as vitamis (B2), could increase the overall nutritional value of traditional food products and could mitigate protein deficiency and malnutrition. This project targets the obtention of fungal proteins that comply with these nutritional characteristics from the valorisation of agri-food waste and at the same time could reduce the need for expensive and non-renewable feedstock as well as design and describe specific descriptive models for the sustainable recovery of these target proteins through the application of precipitation technique carried out by polyelectrolytes at certain pH and ionic strength, aiming to develop better, suitable and well-described protocols for their industrial potential application. Thus, this proposal targets a complete closed loop processing in proteins recovery, i) from identification of natural sources, ii) sustainable models for their obtention, iii) full compositional and bioactivity characterization iv) protein stabilization by drying process v) to the proof-of-concept for scale-up and product development (protein-rich powder). Yet, this project may also be adapted to different referent production and processing systems, which could result in highly potential for intellectual property development and tech transfer by directly collaborating with EVRA’s R&D department and facilities, that will represent an important step further to the career of the applicant. The applicant has a scientific recognized background, counts with several national and international collaboration networks as well as great personal and professional responsibility and determination that undoubtedly will conduct him to successfully comply with this proposed research plan and its objectives.
AcronymSUNSPROS
StatusActive
Effective start/end date1/01/2531/12/30

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