Safe and fast control system for acrylamide in food

Project Information

AFREELAMIDE

Grant agreement ID: 867628

DOI

10.3030/867628

Project closed

EC signature date 17 April 2019

Start date 1 May 2019

End date 30 September 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

CENTAUREA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SOCIEDAD LIMITADA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AFREELAMIDE (Safe and fast control system for acrylamide in food)

Reporting period: 2019-05-01 to 2019-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Acrylamide is a human neurotoxin classified as a probable carcinogen. It is present in heat-processed foods high in carbohydrate, such as snack foods, potato crisps, breads, cereal products, and coffee. Therefore acrylamide is considered a public health risk. Since April 2018, a new EU directive has entered into force, which urges food operators to monitor the presence of acrylamide in foodstuffs. However, existing acrylamide detection techniques rely on time-consuming, very expensive and complex assays that are only conducted to a few samples of products. Our INNOVATION provides a non-invasive, rapid, robust, accurate and 5x cheaper inspection system adapted for at-line and real-time monitoring.

It's is important to society because is A PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM INEFFICIENTLY CONTROLLED BY THE FOOD INDUSTRY. It was first detected in foods in April 2002 and prompted concerns about its toxic effects in humans. As a matter of fact, the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirms that acrylamide in food potentially increases the risk of developing cancer for consumers in all age groups . In the United States, acrylamide is also classified as an extremely hazardous substance.

The objetives were the Technical, Market and Financial Feasibility Study. The objectives defined for the Phase 1 have been successfully achieved. Centaurea has gained the relevant knowledge about the market of foodstuff affected by acrylamide and it has conducted a detailed competitor analysis targeting continental (Europe) and international areas. Together with the feedback of potential customers, our initial product idea has been slightly modified and the business plan has been duly updated. A suitable architecture is proposed and the necessary assessment of technical aspects has been completed. The feasibility of combining NIR sensor technology, the integration of app and cloud solutions, and the implementation of Software as a Service (SaaS) using data base processing strategies have been validated. Risks have been also evaluated and the overall conclusion is that AFREELAMIDE is achievable within a 2-year timeframe taking into account the previous experience of the company.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Work and results in Technical Feasability:
- A database of Vis-NIR spectral was generated for biscuits with different acrylamide levels. These levels were representative of the real values occurring during the industrial production of biscuits. The database currently contains more than 5700 spectra of biscuits.
- Biscuits analyzed in its whole form gave better results than in its crushed form. This absence of sample preparation together with the short spectrum acquisition time contributed to reduce the total time of analysis down to less than 10 seconds. Thus this technique appears particularly suitable for on-line or at-line acrylamide control, which is of utmost interest for our industrial partners.
- A chemometric analysis of experimental NIR spectra and acrylamide data was carried out examining different features. The models obtained allowed to predict acrylamide content in the studied whole biscuits within an uncertainty of around 33 μg·kg-1. This is below the benchmark levels for biscuits and it demonstrates yet the possibility of an accurate acrylamide control.
- The chemometric analysis showed that the full spectral range (400 nm to ~2400 nm) is necessary to maintain the best prediction results. Future experimental tests should be done with a NIR device which includes several detectors to cover the full NIR spectral region.

Work and results in Market Feasability:
-A market assessment report has been completed for understanding the attractiveness and the dynamics of the Food Bsuiness Operators sector within the acrylamide context. This work provides a clear roadmap that Afreelamide should follow for attracting customers and involving new end-users , without dismissing forecast reports in any case;
-This first analysis has been enriched with a top-down approach at two levels: an overview of the European market on the agrifood sector and a look on the “regulations” vertical;
- Centaurea has also conducted a market risk and competitors assessment, allowing a detailed SWOT analysis for Afreelamide opportunity.

Work and results in Financial Feasability:
-Identification of new business opportunities in UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany in Europe . Such opportunities are corroborated with PEST analysis.
-Detailed cost analysis for the complete architecture considering both levels: hardware and software. This has helped Centaurea to understand the overall investment necessary to move from the project design stage to the market.
-Taking into account the abovementioned points, Centaurea has assessed the potential project impact with three key indicators: (i) Total Revenues, (ii) Revenues Growth % and (iii) Total staff. Standar scenario has been introduced.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

"With AFREELAMIDE we will get you a series of impacts, both in society and in the industry. Afreelamide will represent a solution that addresses some H2020 objectives as follows:
- Efficiency and Flexibility: Progress in the operational efficiency of Food Business Operators and the Horeca Channel, in terms of: (i) instant identification of products with high acrylamide levels; and (ii) intelligent organization and use of available resources. The Afreelamide initiative will allow collecting real-time information on production processes, helping companies make agile decisions and preventing the release of ""not recommended"" products for human consumption using also a cloud platform to promote interoperability. The proposed solution is scalable with the needs of the users.
- Food Safety: One of the main factors that influence the development of cancer in people is poor diet and the consumption of foods that contain chemical carcinogens, such as acrylamide. Between 30 and 50% of cancers can be avoided. For this, it is necessary to reduce the risk factors and apply preventive strategies based on science.
With all of this in mind, Afreelamide will offer solutions that reduce exposure and, as a result, the risk of cancer in the population.
- Sustainability: Afreelamide will offer solutions to the Food Business Operators to reduce their food waste and to improve circular economy policies to guarantee environmental-friendly business.
-Finally, AFREELAMIDE will help the exponential growth of CENTAUREA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. Centaurea is expected to be at full capacity in the year 2022, the year in which the breakeven point is reached. As of 2022, once the investments of the project are finished, the economic-financial structure of the company will be very solid and the Company forecasts continuous and significant growth throughout 2021-2025. This project will provide the company with a new product that hold unique qualities in the sector, which will pave the way for a significant rise in sales. All this will be reflected in a very significant increase in jobs that will be created as a result of the project."

Samples 3

Samples 1

Prototype

Samples 2