A boost for functional foods research
The NUTRAHEALTH (Improving research capacity of TÜBİTAK MRC Food Institute on functional foods, nutraceuticals, and natural health products) project coordinated networking and cooperative research activities through scientific events. Moreover, they integrated Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and Horizon 2020 projects focusing on a global market worth an estimated EUR 100-150 billion annually. NUTRAHEALTH has participated in at least three Horizon 2020 consortiums as partners. These include a range of themes, from mycotoxin management to individual differences in response to consumption of food bioactives. The project has researched the formulation of fortified health drinks and a patent is pending for a heart health sterol-enriched functional iced tea. Moreover, they have produced a decaffeinated instant tea and a sterol and omega-3-enriched functional Turkish yogurt drink. Although sterol is in use in other products for heart health, its addition to black tea is a first. There is an agreement for commercialisation of tea products with the largest processors in Turkey. There have been at least five requests from enterprises that are interested in collaboration with NUTRAHEALTH. Some of these companies incorporate use of fish oil in food formulations and dietary supplements. Another is related to the development of a functional ingredient to reduce diabetes type 2 risks and the incorporation of β-glucan, a polysaccharide that can reduce the level of saturated fats in the bloodstream. Dissemination included organisation and participation at The International Congress on Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals held in Istanbul in October 2014. At least 15 poster/oral presentations have been given at international conferences and a newsletter has been circulated. More than 20 scientific publications have appeared in peer-reviewed journals. Future research has been secured with EU funding [through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)] with the project INNOFOOD (Development of research and innovation facilities for improving the regional competitiveness of food industry). The NUTRAHEALTH team will participate with a number of research and development-related activities. The project website has been developed and regularly updated. At project end, the site had been visited more than 34 000 times. With further commercialisation in mind, the NUTRAHEALTH project has contacted at least 100 small and medium-sized enterprises. An increase in product choice is being accompanied by more opportunity for the business sector and expansion for the functional foods, nutraceuticals, and health products sectors.
Keywords
Functional food, nutraceuticals, natural health additives, NUTRAHEALTH, health drinks, sterol, omega-3 fatty acids