Project description
Enhanced food products to tackle iron deficiency issues
Globally, almost one in every three reproductive-aged women suffers from anaemia. That’s why iron fortification of food products is an important challenge. While current strategies succeed in addressing some aspects of it, they are often inadequate from a holistic perspective. On the other hand, resolving these issues will also support the growing adoption of plant-based diets. The EU-funded EMOFFF project is going to explore a novel approach based on functional materials from metal-organic frameworks derived from iron and edible plant-derived organic molecules. If successful, this approach will enable the design of high-quality, mineral-enriched, vegetable products. Insufficient intake of iron will no longer be one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies.
Objective
Insufficient intake of iron is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies, with almost one-third of reproductive-aged women suffering from anaemia. Iron fortification of food products is an important route towards addressing this issue, but it is a notoriously difficult problem as product quality is often strongly compromised. While current strategies succeed in addressing some aspects of this challenge, they are often inadequate from a holistic perspective. Resolving these issues will help address societal challenges related to iron deficiencies, provide personalised nutrition, and support the growing adoption of plant-based diets. The objective of this research program is to explore the novel approach based on functional materials from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived from iron (Fe) and edible plant-derived organic molecules, which can function as safe and bioaccessible by-design colloidal delivery systems. The approach will be based on selecting suitable organic ligands from the family of edible, plant-based polyphenols and acids, and use them in safe concentrations as Fe-based MOFs with pH triggered solubility (i.e. reversal back to the mineral and organic ligand) in the gastrointestinal tract. To achieve this goal, the following specific objectives will be met by developing new edible MOFs, both homogeneous and core-shell morphology, from Fe and plant-derived polyphenols and acids and evaluating their reactivity (e.g. oxidation, discoloration) and bioaccessibility in food products. If successful, this approach will enable the design of high-quality, mineral-enriched, plant-based food products. The proposed research program will lead to an increase in high-impact Research & Innovation output in the field of nutritious and functional food, specifically addressing the issue of iron deficiency. The expanded skill set of the fellow will improve his future employability and career prospects, both in industrial and academic research areas.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition
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Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
6708 WH Wageningen
Netherlands
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