Project description
Ensuring safe cyanobacteria supplements
As the global population grows and climate change threatens food security, sustainable nutrition sources like cyanobacteria-based supplements, such as Spirulina and Nostoc, are gaining popularity. Rich in nutrients, these microorganisms may also produce harmful cyanotoxins, yet their true impact on human health remains unclear. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the CyaSafe project is tackling this knowledge gap. By simulating digestion in vitro, researchers will study how cyanobacterial compounds are absorbed and transformed. Rigorous toxicological tests will assess potential risks, paving the way for improved safety regulations. The project also prioritises public awareness, ensuring consumers can make informed choices. CyaSafe is setting new safety benchmarks because nutrition should never be a gamble.
Objective
Food security and nutrition challenges, driven by population growth and climate change, underscore the need for sustainable solutions, leading to increased consumption of cyanobacteria-based supplements like Spirulina sp. and Nostoc sp. While these cyanobacteria are nutritionally rich, they may also produce potentially harmful secondary metabolites, including cyanotoxins. The presence and bioavailability of these compounds depend on factors such as cell wall integrity and metabolic transformation in the digestive tract. Current safety evaluations are insufficient, lacking comprehensive data on bioavailability and toxicological impacts.
The CyaSafe project aims to bridge critical knowledge gaps in the safety and efficacy of cyanobacteria. The specific aims are as follows: first, through in vitro studies simulating human digestion, CyaSafe will assess how cyanobacterial metabolites are absorbed and transformed. Second, comprehensive toxicological testing will be performed to evaluate cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, establishing new safety benchmarks. Third, the project will utilize research findings to propose updated technical recommendations, improving regulatory frameworks for these supplements. In addition to its research objectives, CyaSafe will emphasize knowledge transfer and public awareness to foster a better understanding of the risks and benefits of cyanobacteria-based products.
The project will be conducted at the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of University of Porto, a leader in Marine and Environmental Research. A planned secondment with expertise in Toxicology and Food Safety, will facilitate the interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Through addressing research gaps, improving safety standards, and raising public awareness, CyaSafe aims to protect public health, build confidence and ensure the safety of cyanobacteria-based supplements.
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.
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies food technology food safety
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
- medical and health sciences basic medicine toxicology
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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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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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.
4450 208 Matosinhos
Portugal
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.