Objective
Powdered infant formula is the most widespread and established alternative to the breastfeeding of the newborn. Despite preservation steps during production illnesses caused by contaminated formula as a result of Salmonella spp., Cronobacter sakazakii have been reported, which can often lead to brain damage or death in babies and infants. The use of extremely high temperatures during sterilisation can cause a great degree of protein denaturation. Considering the naturally lower content of lysozyme and lactoferrin of cow’s milk, which is the base of infant formulation, these ingredients have to be added at a cost to match more closely human milk, and are severely denatured by excessive heat treatment. As such, there is a need to provide manufacturers with a reliable treatment method that is effective in the inactivation of microorganisms and does not diminish the nutritional quality of the formula.
Past research has shown the effectiveness of light technologies for surface decontamination in packaging, for treatment of transparent and non-transparent beverages, and for the decontamination of vegetative microorganisms. Moreover, the combination of different light technologies can enable short exposure times. Researchers have successfully applied light technology to reduce the bacterial load in infant formula spread on a flat surface. This project will develop a novel system for the reduction of microbial contamination of infant formula by using a more gentle temperature processing based on 2 types of light in combination with a fluidised bed system. The system will be safe, effective, affordable, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly. By preventing the use of excessive temperatures, the risk of protein denaturation will be reduced. Moreover, by combining the light technology with the mixing and transport of fluidised beds, longer shelf life and a reduction in infant formula related illnesses can be achieved.
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.
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies food technology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
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.
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.
FP7-SME-2012
See other projects for this call
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.
Coordinator
08940 CORNELLA DE LLOBREGAT
Spain
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.