Objetivo
This RTD project comprises a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to obtain transgenic crops for the production of novel, tailor-made fructans with a wide range of applications in food and non-food industries.
The products that will be manufactured as a result of the technology developed within this project will have profound benefits for the health and well-being of mankind as well as the environment. In food, fructans can be applied as low-calory sweetener, dietary fibre and bulking agent. In addition, fructans may stimulate growth of the health promoting bifidus-flora in the human digestive system. It is anticipated that these developments will result in the availability of a healthier food package for the consumer without making concessions to quality and enjoyment. Non food applications can include the use of fructans and its derivatives as a raw material in the production of biodegradable plastics, cosmetics and sequestrants as well as co-builder for the detergent industry. The biodegradability of fructans and its origin from a renewable resource make it potentially valuable as a 'green' chemical. Therefore, the fructan technology can in principle contribute to the reduction of the waste issue as well as the appeal to scarce materials. So far, fructans have found limited application in food and non-food due to a number of factors, the most important ones being the low quality of the available fructans as well as the poor agronomic performance of the traditional fructan containing crops like chicory and Jerusalem artichoke. These limitations cannot be overcome by traditional breeding practices or chemical processing and hamper severely the development of this, in potential, mega industry. In this respect, genetic engineering of plants offers new perspectives. This technology has demonstrated the feasibility of introducing new traits into plants including the biosynthesis of new carbohydrates like fructans. By applying genetic engineering techniques it will be possible to overcome the major drawbacks of the current fructan technology and realize a flexible, cost-effective production of novel types of fructans in transgenic crops which justifies further exploration of the food and non food applications as mentioned above. Moreover, agriculture will benefit from these developments as further diversification of its products will be realized. In this project several disciplines, covering the whole column ranging from molecular biology to application research, have been integrated to optimize the chances for a successful completion of the project. Several genes encoding fructosyltransferases of different origin are currently available for this project. These include bacterial genes which encode fructosyltransferases able to synthesize high molecular weight fructans as well as three key genes of plant origin which encode a fructosyltransferases able to synthesize low molecular weight fructans. With these probes available the project will know an energetic start in which the isolation procedure of additional genes involved in fructan metabolism can be tackled routinely. In addition, several constitutive as well as developmentally regulated plant promoters combined with intracellular targeting signals are available and will be used to make synthetic genes most optimal for fructan biosynthesis in transgenic crop plants. Expression in transgenic model plants of bacterial fructosyltransferase genes recently resulted in the accumulation of significant amounts of fructans which demonstrates the feasibility of the approach. The transgenic plant material resulting from these research efforts will be thoroughly analyzed molecularly, biochemically as well as agronomically in order to determine the limiting factors for fructan production through transgenic crops. With the availability of transgenic fructan accumulating plants it will be possible to develop the extraction procedure, perform chemical and structural characterisation studies and explore the food and non-food applications of these novel fructans. This project embodies scientifically as well as technologically an exciting and perspective challenge to contribute to a sustainable, competitive industrial development.
Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS clasifica los proyectos con EuroSciVoc, una taxonomía plurilingüe de ámbitos científicos, mediante un proceso semiautomático basado en técnicas de procesamiento del lenguaje natural. Véas: El vocabulario científico europeo..
CORDIS clasifica los proyectos con EuroSciVoc, una taxonomía plurilingüe de ámbitos científicos, mediante un proceso semiautomático basado en técnicas de procesamiento del lenguaje natural. Véas: El vocabulario científico europeo..
- ciencias médicas y de la salud biotecnología médica ingeniería genética
- ciencias naturales ciencias biológicas bioquímica biomoléculas carbohidratos
- ciencias agrícolas agricultura, silvicultura y pesca agricultura
- ciencias naturales ciencias biológicas biología molecular
Para utilizar esta función, debe iniciar sesión o registrarse
Programa(s)
Programas de financiación plurianuales que definen las prioridades de la UE en materia de investigación e innovación.
Programas de financiación plurianuales que definen las prioridades de la UE en materia de investigación e innovación.
Tema(s)
Las convocatorias de propuestas se dividen en temas. Un tema define una materia o área específica para la que los solicitantes pueden presentar propuestas. La descripción de un tema comprende su alcance específico y la repercusión prevista del proyecto financiado.
Las convocatorias de propuestas se dividen en temas. Un tema define una materia o área específica para la que los solicitantes pueden presentar propuestas. La descripción de un tema comprende su alcance específico y la repercusión prevista del proyecto financiado.
Convocatoria de propuestas
Procedimiento para invitar a los solicitantes a presentar propuestas de proyectos con el objetivo de obtener financiación de la UE.
Datos no disponibles
Procedimiento para invitar a los solicitantes a presentar propuestas de proyectos con el objetivo de obtener financiación de la UE.
Régimen de financiación
Régimen de financiación (o «Tipo de acción») dentro de un programa con características comunes. Especifica: el alcance de lo que se financia; el porcentaje de reembolso; los criterios específicos de evaluación para optar a la financiación; y el uso de formas simplificadas de costes como los importes a tanto alzado.
Régimen de financiación (o «Tipo de acción») dentro de un programa con características comunes. Especifica: el alcance de lo que se financia; el porcentaje de reembolso; los criterios específicos de evaluación para optar a la financiación; y el uso de formas simplificadas de costes como los importes a tanto alzado.
Coordinador
4411 RB RILLAND-BATH
Países Bajos
Los costes totales en que ha incurrido esta organización para participar en el proyecto, incluidos los costes directos e indirectos. Este importe es un subconjunto del presupuesto total del proyecto.