Objective
Lecithins are widely used food emulsifiers with emerging antioxidant potential, yet their efficacy may be compromised by impurities such as lipid oxidation products and especially trace metals (Fe, Cu) that are not removed in conventional refining. These prooxidants, currently unregulated in EU legislation, accelerate food spoilage and pose health risks. The LEAF project (Lecithin Engineering for Antioxidant Functionality) proposes a disruptive green purification strategy to produce sunflower-derived lecithins with tailored phospholipid compositions and enhanced antioxidant functionality. Using bioethanol as the sole solvent, combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction, nanocellulose adsorption, and electrocoagulation, the project will remove harmful impurities and enrich key phospholipids (PC, PE, PI). The novel lecithins will be explored for nanoencapsulation of polar antioxidants, aiming to improve oxidative stability in bulk oils and emulsified lipid-based foods such as wafer biscuits. By focusing on how phospholipid composition influences antioxidant transport, protection, and regeneration, the project aims to clarify mechanisms of lipid stabilization. Oxidation will be monitored using advanced Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, enabling sensitive detection of early lipid radicals beyond conventional methods. Functionality and stability will also be validated using complementary analytical techniques (HPSEC-RI, ³¹P-NMR, HPLC-ELS, FTIR). AI-assisted modeling will optimize process parameters and assess environmental sustainability and industrial scalability. Aligned with Green Chemistry principles and supporting SDGs 2, 3, 9, 12, and 13, the project contributes to safer, cleaner-label, and more sustainable food systems. Hosted at the Instituto de la Grasa-CSIC, the fellowship offers cutting-edge training and international collaboration, empowering the researcher to lead future innovations in lipid science and antioxidant technologies.
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
- 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.
28006 Madrid
Spain
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.