Periodic Reporting for period 3 - NextGenProteins (BIOCONVERSION OF UNDERUTILIZED RESOURCES INTO NEXT GENERATION PROTEINS FOR FOOD AND FEED)
Período documentado: 2022-10-01 hasta 2023-09-30
NextGenProteins aims to optimise the production of three alternative proteins and verify their suitability in various feed and food applications, in order to meet customers’ needs and ensure consumer acceptance. The project contributes to strengthening of food security, sustainability and self-sufficiency of EU protein production by demonstrating the suitability and economic viability of next-generation proteins as part of food and feed value chains; with less strain on natural resources and reduced environmental impacts.
The overall objective of NextGenProteins is: "To optimise and validate, in an industrially relevant environment, the production of proteins from microalgae, single cells and insects and demonstrate their suitability as alternative sustainable sources in food and feed value chains."
Through combined contributions of the SMEs producing the alternative protein, the food and feed producers, the participating retailer and the RTDs working in the field of applied feed and food technology and life cycle assessment, NextGenProtein increased potential clients’ awareness and acceptance of the new proteins and thus facilitated the market introduction of alternative proteins. The companies that participated in NextGenProteins will utilise the dissemination activities set up in the project to pave the way for a successful exploitation route of the proteins and align their production with the values, needs and expectations of society.
One of the most important output of the project was the development and production of microalgae, insect and SC proteins and their production optimisation and upscaling. A database with proximate, amino acid, minerals and fatty acid composition and results on the digestibility of the proteins, as well as on the potential existence of toxins and allergens was set up. The database also contains information on the functional properties of the alternative proteins. The sensory properties were tested and improved as much as the production processes allow, for eventual application as new ingredients in food and feed products.
The application potential of the proteins for food and feed was demonstrated. Many food prototypes were developed by the food industry partners. The proteins have been showcased in ready-meals, bread, snacks, emulsion products and drinks. The results from poultry feeding and seabream/salmon feeding trials were assessed and evaluted. All dose and field trials have now been completed.
NextGenProteins has explored market and business opportunities for the alternative proteins and suggested means on how to boost consumer acceptance. Focus group discussions carried out in seven European countries indicated strongly that consumers are aware of the need for these kinds of new food production methods and products and value their sustainability benefits. An interview study on stakeholder attitudes towards the NextGen proteins also indicated that the overall attitude of the interviewed stakeholders towards the NextGen proteins is positive.
The environmental and economic impact that the alternative proteins have on sustainability aspects has been evaluated as well as the value chain risks. The production aims of the NextGenProteins producers are relatively modest in terms of quantity as well as their requirement for full time employees. The production is likely to have a minor impact on the market for proteins and employment in general. However, the importance of the production could be quite large at a local or even regional level.
The partners developed and applied an innovative Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework to effectively disseminate project results and to ensure their exploitation. The established RRI framework links the objectives and expected impacts of the project with the concept of RRI and the global grand challenges related to alternative proteins. The partners have been active in dissemination through social media, at conferences, in newsletters and via the NextGenProtein website. Twining activities such as workshops and meetings were carried out in collaboration with the three other projects funded under the same call to allow wider dissemination and communication.