Objective
Food fermentation has been used for millennia, but our knowledge on the impact of fermented foods on human health and the possible role of gut microbiota in it is limited. Microbial consortia and fermentation processes are, hence, not designed for optimal health outcomes. At the same time, fermentation technology represents a major opportunity to increase incorporation of plant-based proteins in diets.
The multi-actor consortium HealthFerm brings together first-class researchers, food companies and dissemination partners to enable the transition from traditional to sustainable grain-based fermented foods and diets that deliver health benefits to consumers by design.
This will be achieved by (1) disentangling the interaction between food fermentation microbiomes, grain-based foods and the human gut microbiome and health and (2) using microbial resources and fermentation technology to develop healthy pulse and cereal-based food and diets that cater to the desires and needs of EU citizens.
Drawing from a community science approach, HealthFerm will identify micro-organisms and metabolic pathways that may result in desired nutritional and health effects. The impact of microbial fermentation on raw materials will be examined at the molecular level. Fermentation technology will be used in the production of grain-based liquid and (semi-)solid foods. The impact of these foods on human health and the gut microbiome will be assessed in a number of intervention trials. Consumer acceptance of fermented foods, their technologies and their role in the transition towards a more sustainable healthy diet will be studied in different social contexts. Finally, extensive ecosystem building and training activities will contribute to HealthFerm’s strong participatory approach.
Outcomes will allow increased use of grain-based materials in foods, contributing to an environment-friendly food system and a strong EU food industry, thus aligning with the EU Green Deal priorities and UN SDGs.
Fields of science
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiology
- engineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybioprocessing technologiesfermentation
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-BasedCoordinator
3000 Leuven
Belgium
See on map
Participants (20)
00014 Helsingin Yliopisto
See on map
1165 Kobenhavn
See on map
66386 St Ingbert
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
39100 Bolzano
See on map
1050 Brussel
See on map
060031 Bucuresti
See on map
2970 Hoersholm
See on map
02150 Espoo
See on map
750 07 Uppsala
See on map
1702 Groot Bijgaarden
See on map
70211 Kuopio
See on map
9052 Zwijnaarde - Gent
See on map
412 96 Goteborg
See on map
20014 Turku
See on map
69131 Ecully
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
00370 Helsinki
See on map
02150 Espoo
See on map
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
1010 Wien
See on map
3723BC Bilthoven
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
901 87 Umea
See on map