Projektbeschreibung
Innovative Technologie zur kommerziellen Nutzung des Quinoaproteins
Im vergangenen Jahrzehnt hat in Europa der Anbau von Quinoa, einer ausgezeichneten Quelle für Proteine und Aminosäuren, stark zugenommen. Das Quinoaprotein und die anderen Inhaltsstoffe der Pflanze werden jedoch bislang nicht kommerziell genutzt. Grund dafür ist, dass es noch keinen Durchbruch bei einer Fraktionierungsmethode gab, die an die besondere Beschaffenheit der Quinoasamen angepasst wäre. Das EU-finanzierte Projekt QUINNOVA wird eine innovative Trockenfraktionierungstechnologie einsetzen, um das volle Potenzial von Quinoa auszuschöpfen. Dieses umweltfreundliche Verfahren verbraucht weniger Energie und Wasser als alternative technische Varianten. Das Projekt möchte den Maßstab der Technologie auf ein industrielles Niveau bringen, damit die europäische Nachfrage nach hochwertigem pflanzlichem Protein gedeckt werden kann.
Ziel
The European Union is seeking solutions for reducing its dependency on protein imports, while consumers shift from animal to plant-based proteins. As an example, the global plant protein ingredients market is expected to reach more than €11bn by 2025. Currently 98% of the protein in this market comes from soy and wheat. Soy is mainly imported from non-EU countries (where GMO crops are authorised) and its intensive cultivation causes severe environmental issues e.g. deforestation and land-use changes. On the other hand, wheat protein needs to find a gluten-free replacer. Thus, EU food manufacturers are searching for alternative plant-based sources for their protein-fortified food products, which leads to an urgent need to scale-up the production of plant-based protein from alternative sources.
Quinoa is recognised as an excellent crop with an outstanding protein quality and an amino acid score of 100% for adults. Its production in the EU has significantly grown in the last decade. However, commercial exploitation of quinoa-protein and its co-ingredients is not carried out because of the lack of breakthrough fractionation technology adapted to the special nature of quinoa seeds.
We are GreenFood50, a Dutch company devoted to the production and commercialisation of quinoa-derived ingredients. We have developed QUINNOVA, an innovative dry fractionation technology that allows to unlock the full potential of quinoa. QUINNOVA food ingredients are in line with consumer demands and their functional properties are ideal for being used in tasty bakery, health, sports, vegetarian/vegan and gluten free applications. The process is environmentally friendly, with a reduced energy and water demand compared to alternative technologies.
Our goal is to scale-up QUINNOVA to industrial level, contributing to cover the EU demand for high-quality plant-based protein. This will represent a quantum leap for GreenFood50, which will make food systems healthier and more sustainable.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energypetroleum
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologycolorectal cancer
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutrition
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryamines
Programm/Programme
Thema/Themen
Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung
Andere Projekte für diesen Aufruf anzeigenUnterauftrag
H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1
Finanzierungsplan
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Koordinator
6708 WH WAGENINGEN
Niederlande
Die Organisation definierte sich zum Zeitpunkt der Unterzeichnung der Finanzhilfevereinbarung selbst als KMU (Kleine und mittlere Unternehmen).