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Innovative pulse and cereal-based food fermentations for human health and sustainable diets

Descripción del proyecto

Avanzar en la tecnología de la fermentación vegetal de alimentos para lograr alimentaciones saludables

La fermentación de los alimentos es un proceso natural en el que los componentes de los alimentos se transforman mediante el crecimiento microbiano de las levaduras, bacterias y enzimas deseadas. Se trata de una técnica ancestral que favorece el crecimiento de bacterias beneficiosas en el intestino. Los expertos en alimentación y salud del proyecto HealthFerm, financiado con fondos europeos, mejorarán la tecnología de la fermentación y permitirán pasar de los alimentos fermentados tradicionales a los sostenibles a base de cereales. Estos alimentos serán ricos en proteínas y estarán diseñados para ofrecer los máximos beneficios para la salud a los consumidores de la Unión Europea. Para obtener unos resultados óptimos, se desentrañará la relación entre la fermentación, el microbioma intestinal, los alimentos a base de cereales y la salud. Además, se identificarán y emplearán microorganismos adecuados en el desarrollo de nuevas fuentes de alimentos a base de cereales y se evaluará su impacto en la salud intestinal.

Objetivo

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.

Coordinador

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Aportación neta de la UEn
€ 1 977 250,00
Dirección
OUDE MARKT 13
3000 Leuven
Bélgica

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Región
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven
Tipo de actividad
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Enlaces
Coste total
€ 1 977 250,00

Participantes (20)

Socios (2)