Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SurfSAFE (Surface modification to increase microbial SAFEty in the food industry)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-04-01 do 2023-12-31
Surfaces used in food processing industries are typically colonized by microorganisms, even following cleaning and disinfection. Microorganisms grow in the form of biofilms, which are potential contamination sources of finished food products, reducing their shelf life and causing foodborne diseases. In turn, foodborne diseases cause morbidity and mortality and are a significant impairment to socioeconomic development. The gene transfer between microorganisms exacerbates this issue because of the increased resistance of bacterial populations to antimicrobial treatments. In addition, safer food production entails high cleaning costs and severe environmental impacts associated with high water and energy consumption and wastewater production.
The SurfSAFE project focuses on surface modification and biofilm analysis to develop tailor-made antifouling and antimicrobial, non-toxic surfaces inspired by nature. In critical zones of food processing plants, where biofilms are an issue, surface modification may reduce biological fouling and facilitate the removal of deposits formed. This approach will guarantee consumers safer and higher quality products while minimizing cleaning downtimes and thus enabling substantial cost benefits to food processors. Moreover, the consumption of hazardous chemicals will be dramatically reduced by minimizing cleaning and disinfection processes. This project addresses Goal 2 (food security), Goal 9 (sustainable industrialization and foster innovation), and Goal 12 (sustainable production) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is expected to contribute to a successful intervention-and-prevention technology in the food industry.
SurfSAFE aims to position the consortium as leaders in the application of antifouling surfaces to combat the complex problem of microbial contamination in the food industry, raise public awareness concerning this problem, and train the research staff of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (UPORTO) in innovative technologies and interface science areas. The consortium is complemented by the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), and the Manchester Metropolitan University (ManMet).
In SurfSAFE, biomimetic surfaces based on plant leaves were manufactured, characterized, and tested, enabling a reduction in bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation and addressing the emergent problem of food product contamination and foodborne diseases. The effects of surface topography on gene transfer were also assessed and methods for biofilm imaging analysis were developed. The project also provided UPORTO staff with extended expertise and enhanced skills to support the research in these fields.
The SurfSAFE project focuses on surface modification and biofilm analysis to develop tailor-made antifouling and antimicrobial, non-toxic surfaces inspired by nature. In critical zones of food processing plants, where biofilms are an issue, surface modification may reduce biological fouling and facilitate the removal of deposits formed. This approach will guarantee consumers safer and higher quality products while minimizing cleaning downtimes and thus enabling substantial cost benefits to food processors. Moreover, the consumption of hazardous chemicals will be dramatically reduced by minimizing cleaning and disinfection processes. This project addresses Goal 2 (food security), Goal 9 (sustainable industrialization and foster innovation), and Goal 12 (sustainable production) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is expected to contribute to a successful intervention-and-prevention technology in the food industry.
SurfSAFE aims to position the consortium as leaders in the application of antifouling surfaces to combat the complex problem of microbial contamination in the food industry, raise public awareness concerning this problem, and train the research staff of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (UPORTO) in innovative technologies and interface science areas. The consortium is complemented by the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), and the Manchester Metropolitan University (ManMet).
In SurfSAFE, biomimetic surfaces based on plant leaves were manufactured, characterized, and tested, enabling a reduction in bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation and addressing the emergent problem of food product contamination and foodborne diseases. The effects of surface topography on gene transfer were also assessed and methods for biofilm imaging analysis were developed. The project also provided UPORTO staff with extended expertise and enhanced skills to support the research in these fields.
The SurfSAFE team has defined long-term research strategies in the scientific fields of surface modification and biofilm analysis. This strategy involved the exchange of knowledge and researchers between the consortium’s institutions, active search for new funding opportunities, and strong commitment to communication and dissemination activities. The application of this approach was crucial for developing UPORTO’s scientific production and management capabilities.
Following the Grant Agreement (GA), all Work Packages (WPs) completed their work. During the total reporting period, 29 deliverables were submitted and 22 milestones were achieved.
The project consortium has organised different categories of events, including four brokerage events with industry, three scientific workshops, two hands-on practical training schools, a training on “Research Management and Career Development”, two technical workshops on “EU Proposal Preparation and Evaluation” and “Intellectual Property Rights - The unitary patent system”, and the Final Conference on Biofilm Detection and Control in the Food Industry to disseminate the project results obtained and increase the SurfSAFE’s contact network. Consequently, several industrial companies and research groups have been contacted to promote future collaborations and seek future translation into the industry.
Several joint applications for European and national calls were submitted during the project, and the UPORTO team was actively involved in two COST Actions. One of the most effective means of disseminating the results of this project was through participation in various international and national conferences and the preparation of joint scientific publications. To now, ten international peer-reviewed papers and three articles in industrial magazines have been published. The consortium was also responsible for regular communications on social media platforms and the project’s website with the intention of maximising SurfSAFE’s impact, reaching not only the scientific community but also the general public.
Fifteen Short Term Staff Exchanges (STSEs) were carried out at partner institutions (five secondments to each partner), taking advantage of their expertise and technical capabilities. This type of exchange and training was continuous throughout the project and allowed for the manufacture, characterisation, and testing of biomimetic surfaces based on plant leaves. These surfaces enable a reduction in bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, thereby addressing the emergent problems of food product contamination and foodborne diseases. The effects of surface topography on gene transfer were also assessed, and methods for biofilm imaging analysis were developed.
Following the Grant Agreement (GA), all Work Packages (WPs) completed their work. During the total reporting period, 29 deliverables were submitted and 22 milestones were achieved.
The project consortium has organised different categories of events, including four brokerage events with industry, three scientific workshops, two hands-on practical training schools, a training on “Research Management and Career Development”, two technical workshops on “EU Proposal Preparation and Evaluation” and “Intellectual Property Rights - The unitary patent system”, and the Final Conference on Biofilm Detection and Control in the Food Industry to disseminate the project results obtained and increase the SurfSAFE’s contact network. Consequently, several industrial companies and research groups have been contacted to promote future collaborations and seek future translation into the industry.
Several joint applications for European and national calls were submitted during the project, and the UPORTO team was actively involved in two COST Actions. One of the most effective means of disseminating the results of this project was through participation in various international and national conferences and the preparation of joint scientific publications. To now, ten international peer-reviewed papers and three articles in industrial magazines have been published. The consortium was also responsible for regular communications on social media platforms and the project’s website with the intention of maximising SurfSAFE’s impact, reaching not only the scientific community but also the general public.
Fifteen Short Term Staff Exchanges (STSEs) were carried out at partner institutions (five secondments to each partner), taking advantage of their expertise and technical capabilities. This type of exchange and training was continuous throughout the project and allowed for the manufacture, characterisation, and testing of biomimetic surfaces based on plant leaves. These surfaces enable a reduction in bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, thereby addressing the emergent problems of food product contamination and foodborne diseases. The effects of surface topography on gene transfer were also assessed, and methods for biofilm imaging analysis were developed.
The Twinning activities and increased cooperation between the SurfSAFE partners raised chances for competitive research funding at a European and national level and innovation/entrepreneurship, as well as for presentation in international conferences for engaging new stakeholders, and production of high-impact factor scientific publications. Efforts were made to find new funding sources that permit collaboration between the partners in the long term, further enhancing the project impact. In addition, the SurfSAFE project provided opportunities for knowledge and experience exchange through onsite training and theoretical workshops, empowering a new generation of researchers.