Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TwinPrebioEnz (Twinning for intensified enzymatic processes for production of prebiotic-containing functional food and bioactive cosmetics)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2023-11-30
The analysis of the achievements of FTM in the field of prebiotics technology up to now shows a significant scientific impact that was accomplished by publications in international journals, and impact on wider society that is achieved by the development of novel products through cooperation with SMEs. Also, FTM’s expertise in field of bioprocess engineering and abundance of raw materials in Western Balkan region make research in field of prebiotic technology prospective. However, specific knowledge and skills are missing although required to fulfill the ambition of the FTM to be incubator of innovative prebiotic-based products. The modest performance of the available industrial enzymes is a significant constraint for the development of intensified and cost-effective enzymatic process and can be improved by chemical or genetic modification of enzymes. Also, thorough structural characterization and more reliable methods for in vitro determination of prebiotic activity based on use of human microbiota are necessity for selection of adequate prebiotic candidates.
TwinPrebioEnz is envisaged as opportunity to advance the research and innovation competences of FTM in this field with addition of missing expertise by establishing cooperation with EU research institutions and transfer of specific knowledge, skills and techniques to FTM. In order to achieve these goals, various activities will be organized by project consortium, including trainings of FTM’s researchers in EU institutions, short-term staff visits, exchange of students and young researchers, seminars, workshops and 2 conferences. TwinPrebioEnz is focused on development of prebiotic technology based on renewable raw materials and use of enzymatic processes, hence wider socio-economic impact is expected by showing advantages of the green transition and implementation of circular economy concepts in the regional economy.
Transfer of knowledge on human microbiota analysis started with a seminar with contribution from MU regarding in vitro models of the gastrointestinal tract and from Radboudumc concerning in vitro models mimicking human skin. Next stage of knowledge transfer were trainings of four FTM’s researchers in skin microbiota analysis at Radboudumc and four FTM’s researchers in gut microbiota analysis at MU. So far, methodologies based on skin callus model for analysis of skin microbiota are successfully applied at FTM’s research group and further transfer will be organized within a practicum workshop in Belgrade including laboratory work supervised by FTM and Radboudumc teams. Transfer of knowledge from CSIC is designed to enable researchers from FTM to acquire capability to utilize skills of protein engineering to improve catalytic properties of enzymes applied in production of prebiotics and improve their knowledge on structural characterization of obtained prebiotics. First step was the organization of seminars in Belgrade with lecturers from CSIC, then four FTM researchers were trained in field of prebiotic oligosaccharide structural characterization at CIAL-CSIC, five researchers obtained training in genetic modification of enzymes at ICTAN-CSIC and three researchers obtained training at ICP-CSIC in chemical modification of enzymes. Techniques on chemical modification of enzymes and structural characterization of prebiotics are already applied within research activities at FTM within TwinPrebioEnz in the first reporting period.
Significant efforts were focused on enhancing scientific excellence of young scientists through short term scientific exchanges. Early career researchers (ECR) and early-stage researchers (ESR) from the FTM were involved in this program: four researchers visited Radboudumc, three researchers MU and seven researchers to CSIC. All publications and presentations resulting from TwinPrebioEnz are co-authored by at least one of young scientists, hence they gave crucial contribution to evident increase of scientific excellence of FTM. Also, complete work on the organization of the Conference for Young Scientists (www.icbeb-ys.com) in Belgrade from December 7-8 was done by young scientists from all partner institutions.