Project description
Study of microplastics impact using protein digestion models
Microplastics (MPs) of various morphologies and sizes have been detected in the environment, posing a threat to food safety and human health. The highest reported MP concentration is found in foods processed in plastic packaging. MP exposure is more prevalent in infants due to the use of polypropylene-based products in formula preparation. The goal of the EU-funded Microprot project is to investigate the effect of MPs originating from plastic packaging on protein digestion in adults and infants. The specific objectives include a comparison of cow’s milk protein digestion in the presence of MPs in adult and infant digestion models and a digestion study of infant formulas in the presence of MPs in infant digestion models.
Objective
Microplastics (MPs) of various morphologies ranging from 1 m - 5.0 mm in size have been ubiquitously detected in the environment, food, drinking water, and biota and may pose a threat to food safety, and human health. The highest reported concentration of MPs comes from the processing of foods in plastic packaging. MPs exposure to humans is more prevalent in infants than in any other age group due to the use of polypropylene (PP) based products in formula preparation. The difference in food intake and digestive physiology between infants and adults have been indicated as key contributors to the distinct patterns of proteolysis. In spite of MPs being frequently consumed with food proteins, data on the digestion process of cows milk in the presence of MPs are not available. The broad aim of the proposal is to investigate the effect of MPs from plastic packaging material on the digestibility of proteins in adults and infants. The project will focus on specific objectives: comparative digestibility of cows milk proteins in the presence of MPs (and aged MPs) in adult and infant digestion models; digestion of infant formulas in the presence of MPs in infant digestion models.
The proposed study will use methodology applied in prior research and harmonised protocols for adult and infant digestion. To achieve the proposed aims, the researcher will get training through know-how transfer and research in digestion models, protein analysis, and digestomics from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry and get knowledge on MPs preparation and characterization during the short visit to Maastricht University Polymer Department. The proposed project aims to study an issue that has attracted global attention and therefore, the communication and dissemination measures will be oriented both to the scientific society and the wider public. The project will generate new knowledge on the impact of MPs on human nutrition and provide data that may be adopted by policymakers.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies food technology food safety
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.4.1.5 - Fostering brain circulation of researchers and excellence initiatives
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
11001 Beograd
Serbia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.