The project was organised into different parts that addressed the major shortcomings and research areas in order to develop and market the three different alternative proteins. The European regulatory framework for alternative proteins, food and feed was specifically evaluated to identify barriers for innovations and how they may be addressed. The work included interviewing the industrial participants to gather their view and experiences on the regulatory and safety framework, as well as on other regulations governing the production, safety, and application of alternative proteins for food and feed. On the basis of the work, knowledge gaps and regulatory safety barriers have been highlighted with a focus on the three NextGenProteins. Among the main outtakes from the interviews was the high importance placed on consumer health and therefore scientific information of the new proteins is needed. Traceability and labeling of the products is important and education of consumers/farmers/other stakeholders about new protein sources is needed.
One of the most important output of the project was the development and production of microalgae, insect and SC proteins and their production optimisation and upscaling. A database with proximate, amino acid, minerals and fatty acid composition and results on the digestibility of the proteins, as well as on the potential existence of toxins and allergens was set up. The database also contains information on the functional properties of the alternative proteins. The sensory properties were tested and improved as much as the production processes allow, for eventual application as new ingredients in food and feed products.
The application potential of the proteins for food and feed was demonstrated. Many food prototypes were developed by the food industry partners. The proteins have been showcased in ready-meals, bread, snacks, emulsion products and drinks. The results from poultry feeding and seabream/salmon feeding trials were assessed and evaluted. All dose and field trials have now been completed.
NextGenProteins has explored market and business opportunities for the alternative proteins and suggested means on how to boost consumer acceptance. Focus group discussions carried out in seven European countries indicated strongly that consumers are aware of the need for these kinds of new food production methods and products and value their sustainability benefits. An interview study on stakeholder attitudes towards the NextGen proteins also indicated that the overall attitude of the interviewed stakeholders towards the NextGen proteins is positive.
The environmental and economic impact that the alternative proteins have on sustainability aspects has been evaluated as well as the value chain risks. The production aims of the NextGenProteins producers are relatively modest in terms of quantity as well as their requirement for full time employees. The production is likely to have a minor impact on the market for proteins and employment in general. However, the importance of the production could be quite large at a local or even regional level.
The partners developed and applied an innovative Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework to effectively disseminate project results and to ensure their exploitation. The established RRI framework links the objectives and expected impacts of the project with the concept of RRI and the global grand challenges related to alternative proteins. The partners have been active in dissemination through social media, at conferences, in newsletters and via the NextGenProtein website. Twining activities such as workshops and meetings were carried out in collaboration with the three other projects funded under the same call to allow wider dissemination and communication.
