Objective
Scientific understanding of the role and mechanisms of bioactives is fragmented. Research often addresses the theoretical possibility of health improvement effects rather than their real, practical use for everyday diets. Bioactives cannot be considered as discrete chemical compounds and research must focus on bioactive-enriched foods (BEF), if consumer demands for foods delivering appropriate health and wellbeing benefits are to be fulfilled.
PATHWAY, a pan-European interdisciplinary team of 16 life/social scientists and 10 high tech/ food processing SMEs, uniquely addresses the role and mechanisms of action of 3 bioactives (docosahexaenoic acid, β-glucan, anthocyanins, chosen for known/claimed effectiveness in reducing some risk factors of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), enriching 3 different widely-consumed food matrices (dairy-, bakery-, egg products). Critical evaluation of bioactive-food matrix interactions and determining the extent of synergies between the 3 bioactives are key elements of PATHWAY.
PATHWAY will determine the impact of BEF on physiologically-relevant MS (a risk factor for many diseases) endpoints and deliver a better understanding of the role and mechanisms of action of the 3 bioactives and BEF. Parallel in vitro/in vivo studies will enable selection of robust biomarkers by advanced omics techniques.
Deliverables will include BEF and generic protocols, best practices and guidelines for planning dietary interventions, and guidance to SMEs for producing health-promoting BEF and for submitting convincing health claim dossiers to EFSA; the latter will be greatly facilitated by one SME partner who has submitted 3 successful dossiers. PATHWAY guidelines will be generic and will apply to a wide range of bioactives and BEF.
Impact will be optimised across Europe by targeted dissemination to industry (especially SME), consumer and S&T stakeholders. Young people will be trained in a stimulating interdisciplinary, trans-sectoral environment.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP7-KBBE-2012-6-singlestage
See other projects for this call
Coordinator
40126 Bologna
Italy
See on map
Participants (25)
Participation ended
02044 VTT Espoo
75007 Paris Cedex 07
See on map
17177 Stockholm
See on map
76131 Karlsruhe
See on map
02150 Espoo
See on map
69120 Heidelberg
See on map
LS2 9JT Leeds
See on map
5230 Odense M
See on map
46980 Paterna Valencia
See on map
63000 Clermont Ferrand
See on map
LS9 7TF Leeds
See on map
35100 Izmir
See on map
1096 Budapest
See on map
1200 Bruxelles
See on map
1030 Wien
See on map
1049 Brussels
See on map
RG6 6BZ Reading
See on map
8230 Balatonfured
See on map
50019 Sesto Fiorentino Fi
See on map
44121 Ferrara
See on map
03270 Hauterive
See on map
47359 Olivares De Duero
See on map
43024 Varobacka
See on map
8230 Balatonfured
See on map
46370 Chiva
See on map