Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DRIFT-FOOD (ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGH QUALITY, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL FOOD PRODUCTION)
Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2024-06-30
What is the problem/issue being addressed?
Absence of a Research Team in the Area of Food Processing and Technology at the Beneficiary Institution: The Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources at CZU Prague currently lacks a dedicated research team in food production and processing. This project aims to fill that gap in the research area.
Low Innovative Impact on Local Farmers: In a highly competitive environment, Czech agricultural and food companies have lost their innovation potential and are now heavily dependent on the import of know-how and technologies. The innovation potential should primarily be driven by SMEs, universities, and research institutions, which currently lack resources, including access to advanced technologies, skilled personnel, and novel ideas.
Why is it important for society?
The project aims to increase public interest in regional and healthy foods with preserved biological value. Czech society has a growing interest in regional, sustainable, and healthy food products, providing an opportunity to offer food-processing technologies to regional producers. Consumers in Czechia, as well as across the EU, are focused on the quality of food on the market. Unconfirmed double standards in food products have strongly resonated within Czech society. Supporting regional food production is one of the food policy strategies of the Czech Republic and a priority of the European Union, which also emphasizes equality among member states in terms of food quality. The agri-food sector is a strategic asset for all European countries and one of the largest and most important economic activities in the EU.
What are the overall objectives?
To Establish an Excellent Team of Food Technologists: The establishment of the DRIFT-FOOD team of excellence will strengthen the presence of the University, the Prague/Central Bohemian region, and the Czech Republic at the European and international levels in relation to advanced technologies for high-quality, safe, and sustainable regional food production. DRIFT-FOOD is the first ERA Chair project in the field of food production, quality, and innovative food technology in Central Europe. An important aspect of this team's work is to achieve scientific excellence through international scientific cooperation and integration in the fields of food technology, agricultural production processing, and, more broadly, nutrition, safety, and food quality.
To Enhance Scientific and Educational Excellence and Strengthen Scientific Knowledge in the Field of Food Technology: The activities of the DRIFT-FOOD team will support the development of new food processing methods as well as basic and frontier research, education, and training in agriculture, food technology, and nutrition. Research activities will create an impact on all steps along the food chain, from primary production to human health, with particular attention to agri-food production. When applied in practice, the impact of ERA Chair activities will positively influence the quality of life of European citizens.
To Enhance High-Quality, Safe, and Sustainable Regional Food Production: The project will deliver key research outputs in agri-food production, agricultural product quality, and food processing and technology to farmers and small producers not only in the Czech Republic but also in other European countries. The project will also support the dissemination of new interdisciplinary research outputs to society to improve public knowledge about food processing, quality, and nutritional values, with the aim of providing a better understanding of the direct impact of quality food on human health.
Absence of a Research Team in the Area of Food Processing and Technology at the Beneficiary Institution: The Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources at CZU Prague currently lacks a dedicated research team in food production and processing. This project aims to fill that gap in the research area.
Low Innovative Impact on Local Farmers: In a highly competitive environment, Czech agricultural and food companies have lost their innovation potential and are now heavily dependent on the import of know-how and technologies. The innovation potential should primarily be driven by SMEs, universities, and research institutions, which currently lack resources, including access to advanced technologies, skilled personnel, and novel ideas.
Why is it important for society?
The project aims to increase public interest in regional and healthy foods with preserved biological value. Czech society has a growing interest in regional, sustainable, and healthy food products, providing an opportunity to offer food-processing technologies to regional producers. Consumers in Czechia, as well as across the EU, are focused on the quality of food on the market. Unconfirmed double standards in food products have strongly resonated within Czech society. Supporting regional food production is one of the food policy strategies of the Czech Republic and a priority of the European Union, which also emphasizes equality among member states in terms of food quality. The agri-food sector is a strategic asset for all European countries and one of the largest and most important economic activities in the EU.
What are the overall objectives?
To Establish an Excellent Team of Food Technologists: The establishment of the DRIFT-FOOD team of excellence will strengthen the presence of the University, the Prague/Central Bohemian region, and the Czech Republic at the European and international levels in relation to advanced technologies for high-quality, safe, and sustainable regional food production. DRIFT-FOOD is the first ERA Chair project in the field of food production, quality, and innovative food technology in Central Europe. An important aspect of this team's work is to achieve scientific excellence through international scientific cooperation and integration in the fields of food technology, agricultural production processing, and, more broadly, nutrition, safety, and food quality.
To Enhance Scientific and Educational Excellence and Strengthen Scientific Knowledge in the Field of Food Technology: The activities of the DRIFT-FOOD team will support the development of new food processing methods as well as basic and frontier research, education, and training in agriculture, food technology, and nutrition. Research activities will create an impact on all steps along the food chain, from primary production to human health, with particular attention to agri-food production. When applied in practice, the impact of ERA Chair activities will positively influence the quality of life of European citizens.
To Enhance High-Quality, Safe, and Sustainable Regional Food Production: The project will deliver key research outputs in agri-food production, agricultural product quality, and food processing and technology to farmers and small producers not only in the Czech Republic but also in other European countries. The project will also support the dissemination of new interdisciplinary research outputs to society to improve public knowledge about food processing, quality, and nutritional values, with the aim of providing a better understanding of the direct impact of quality food on human health.
Work Performed and Main Results Achieved
Since the DRIFT-FOOD project's inception until the end of the second reporting period (June 2024), significant progress has been made in establishing the DRIFT-FOOD Research Centre at CZU Prague. Formally approved in September 2022, the Centre now operates independently, with its own management structure and participation in the Dean's Council.
Recruitment and Staffing
The team has seen substantial staffing developments. By January 2023, the research group was fully staffed, though the resignation of the original ERA Chair holder in March 2023 led to the appointment of Prof. Diana Baigts-Allende in September 2023. Further recruitment completed the team, which is now fully operational with the addition of a laboratory technician.
Research and Development
The DRIFT-FOOD team focuses on novel food processing, food safety, and nutrition, particularly valorizing food by-products and exploring underutilized commodities like insects and agricultural by-products. These efforts are expected to yield significant contributions to food processing technologies in the project's final years.
Educational Contributions
The team has revised and expanded the PhD program in Nutrition and Food at CZU, introducing new courses in Food Commodity Science and advanced food processing technologies. These initiatives aim to fill curriculum gaps and provide cutting-edge knowledge to students.
Collaboration and Dissemination
The team has established strong collaborations with institutions like the Faculty of Tropical AgriScience at CZU and Wageningen University. Dissemination efforts include online media, scientific talks, and radio broadcasts, increasing the project's visibility.
Funding and Outputs
The team actively seeks external funding, having submitted several applications, and has produced 22 publications, with 13 dedicated to the DRIFT-FOOD project. These publications cover various aspects of food technology and are mostly available as open access.
Challenges and Future Directions
The project has faced challenges, particularly with personnel changes, but these have been managed effectively. Moving forward, the focus will remain on enhancing scientific excellence, expanding collaborations, and developing new food technologies.
Since the DRIFT-FOOD project's inception until the end of the second reporting period (June 2024), significant progress has been made in establishing the DRIFT-FOOD Research Centre at CZU Prague. Formally approved in September 2022, the Centre now operates independently, with its own management structure and participation in the Dean's Council.
Recruitment and Staffing
The team has seen substantial staffing developments. By January 2023, the research group was fully staffed, though the resignation of the original ERA Chair holder in March 2023 led to the appointment of Prof. Diana Baigts-Allende in September 2023. Further recruitment completed the team, which is now fully operational with the addition of a laboratory technician.
Research and Development
The DRIFT-FOOD team focuses on novel food processing, food safety, and nutrition, particularly valorizing food by-products and exploring underutilized commodities like insects and agricultural by-products. These efforts are expected to yield significant contributions to food processing technologies in the project's final years.
Educational Contributions
The team has revised and expanded the PhD program in Nutrition and Food at CZU, introducing new courses in Food Commodity Science and advanced food processing technologies. These initiatives aim to fill curriculum gaps and provide cutting-edge knowledge to students.
Collaboration and Dissemination
The team has established strong collaborations with institutions like the Faculty of Tropical AgriScience at CZU and Wageningen University. Dissemination efforts include online media, scientific talks, and radio broadcasts, increasing the project's visibility.
Funding and Outputs
The team actively seeks external funding, having submitted several applications, and has produced 22 publications, with 13 dedicated to the DRIFT-FOOD project. These publications cover various aspects of food technology and are mostly available as open access.
Challenges and Future Directions
The project has faced challenges, particularly with personnel changes, but these have been managed effectively. Moving forward, the focus will remain on enhancing scientific excellence, expanding collaborations, and developing new food technologies.
Progress Beyond the State of the Art
The DRIFT-FOOD project has made significant progress beyond the current state of the art by establishing a unique interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence in food technology at CZU Prague. The project has introduced innovative research approaches in the valorization of food by-products and the exploration of underutilized protein sources, such as insect proteins and less common livestock. These research efforts are pushing the boundaries of food science by developing new methods and technologies that address sustainability and food security challenges.
Expected Results Until the End of the Project
As the project progresses, it is expected to yield further advancements in food processing technologies, particularly in the development of novel products that utilize agricultural by-products and alternative protein sources. The DRIFT-FOOD team aims to finalize and disseminate its research findings through additional scientific publications and presentations at international conferences. Furthermore, the project plans to secure intellectual property rights (IPR) for some of its innovations, particularly those developed in collaboration with the Pavilion of Food Technology. These efforts are anticipated to culminate in practical applications that will benefit small producers and farmers, both in the Czech Republic and across Europe.
The DRIFT-FOOD project has made significant progress beyond the current state of the art by establishing a unique interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence in food technology at CZU Prague. The project has introduced innovative research approaches in the valorization of food by-products and the exploration of underutilized protein sources, such as insect proteins and less common livestock. These research efforts are pushing the boundaries of food science by developing new methods and technologies that address sustainability and food security challenges.
Expected Results Until the End of the Project
As the project progresses, it is expected to yield further advancements in food processing technologies, particularly in the development of novel products that utilize agricultural by-products and alternative protein sources. The DRIFT-FOOD team aims to finalize and disseminate its research findings through additional scientific publications and presentations at international conferences. Furthermore, the project plans to secure intellectual property rights (IPR) for some of its innovations, particularly those developed in collaboration with the Pavilion of Food Technology. These efforts are anticipated to culminate in practical applications that will benefit small producers and farmers, both in the Czech Republic and across Europe.