Project description
Oat protein concentrates as a sustainable plant protein alternative
Europe depends heavily on imported plant proteins, especially soya, which are often associated with deforestation, GMOs and high transport emissions. Oats offer a sustainable, locally grown European alternative with high-quality, gluten-free proteins, but their limited techno-functional properties restrict food applications. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-funded FibraOat project addresses this challenge by investigating complementary strategies to improve oat protein functionality. It will examine how pulsed electric field processing enhances protein performance, how oat β-glucans interact with proteins to stabilise functional networks, and how these mechanisms can be applied during high-moisture extrusion to produce fibrous structures for meat and cheese alternatives. The project will enable more sustainable, locally sourced plant-protein ingredients for next-generation foods.
Objective
Europe needs sustainable and locally produced protein sources to reduce dependence on imported plant proteins, especially soya, which is associated with deforestation, GMOs and high transport emissions. Oats are widely cultivated in Europe and provide high-quality, gluten-free proteins but their poor functional properties limit broader use. High-moisture extrusion technology (HME) creates fibrous textures, yet oat proteins remain constrained by low solubility and weak gels at food-relevant pH. Oat β-glucans (OBG) may stabilise protein networks, while pulsed electric field (PEF) has improved protein functionality in other crops, but their combined effect on oats has never been explored. This represents a major knowledge gap in advancing oat-based alternatives. FibraOat will unlock the potential of oat protein concentrates (OPC) by combining them with OBG and applying PEF as a clean, resource-efficient tool to improve techno-functionality. Together with HME, this approach will enable fibrous, oat-based meat and cheese alternatives. The project will: (1) study OBG–OPC interactions under HME-like conditions; (2) optimise PEF treatment to enhance protein functionality; and (3) benchmark OPC extrudates against commercial soy-based extrudates and assess pilot scalability of promising formulations. A 3-month secondment to Teagasc (Ireland) will provide access to a benchtop extruder and strengthen expertise in applied food processing. FibraOat will generate transferable knowledge and scalable methods that will open new opportunities for oat-based food innovation. By linking molecular science and processing, the project will provide industry and policy makers with robust evidence to accelerate the transition to sustainable and resilient protein systems. For the fellow, it ensures advanced interdisciplinary training, international mobility and career prospects in food innovation, while contributing to the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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2800 Delemont
Switzerland
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.