Project description
Transforming waste into sustainable meat alternatives
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is a massive byproduct of the brewing industry, particularly in Ireland, yet it remains largely underutilised as a food source. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the mEAT-BSG is changing this by upcycling this protein-rich waste into high-quality plant-based meat alternatives. Using green technologies like dry ball milling and twin-screw extrusion, the project improves the functionality of BSG proteins and fibres to create realistic textures. The researchers are also incorporating innovative Pickering emulsions to enhance nutritional value. By validating these products through advanced digestion studies, mEAT-BSG supports Europe’s circular economy and UN sustainability goals. This transformation of agricultural waste into nutritious food positions the EU as a leader in sustainable food innovation and resilient bioeconomies.
Objective
There is a growing interest in utilization of agro-industrial byproducts that are generally discarded in large amounts, mainly due to the growing concerns related to the environmental factors and sustainability issues. Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is a regional byproduct of Ireland which is produced during brewing of beer. BSG is an underutilized protein and fibre source and BSG-fibres/proteins are still required to be well profiled and their respective functional properties should be defined and improved for novel food applications. One of the best ways to benefit such underutilized materials is the production of composite functional extruded products such as plant based meat alternatives (PBMAs). In this project, a BSG-based meat alternative will be produced by the combination of BSG fibres and other suitable carbohydrate sources. Firstly, BSG will be pre-treated by dry ball milling to mechanically fragment the fibres and improve the functional properties of proteins such as solubility, water holding capacity and emulsification activity. Physico-chemical, structural and molecular characterization of BSG proteins will also be covered via multiple analyses including SDS-PAGE, amino acid profiling, DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, particle size, CLSM and SEM measurements. Then, these milled BSG components will be mixed together with suitable plant-based proteins and carbohydrates to produce a matrix that can be extruded through a twin-screw extruder. Additionally, a beta-carotene loaded oil phase will be introduced into the formulation before extrusion as a pickering emulsion. At the final stage of the project, in vitro protein digestion profiles of the products will also be determined with the latest digestion protocol and instrumentation. In the end, a sustainable PBMA will be produced through green technologies and valorisation of an agricultural waste (BSG) contributing to the upcycling of an important byproduct of brewing industry, in accordance with UN sustainable goals.
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.
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture grains and oilseeds
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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.
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
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
- Limerick
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.