Climate-resilient orphan crops for greater diversity in agriculture

• Grant number: 23/16124-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: February 19, 2024
• End date: March 21, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Technology
• Principal Investigator: Darlila Aparecida Gallina
• Grantee: Darlila Aparecida Gallina
• Host Investigator: Filiberto Sanchez-Molinero
• Host Institution: Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Instituto De Investigación Y Tecnología Agroalimentarias, Monells, Spain
• Associated research grant: 17/50349-0 - Plan of institutional development in research of the Institute of Food Technology - ITAL (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

By 2030, the world population is expected to reach 8.5 billion, which will lead to greater demand for agricultural and livestock products. The production and consumption of animal protein has more significant environmental and health impacts than plant proteins. Much research emphasizes the importance of alternatives to meat and the use of plant-based proteins. However, the functionalities of these proteins, structuring technique and sensory characteristics influence the properties, texture, nutritional value and acceptance of the final products. In this Project, a Research Scholarship Abroad is planned for a researcher from ITAL's Meat Technology Center (CTC) to carry out training aimed at expanding knowledge in the area of animal and vegetable proteins. The training will be carried out at the Instituto de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentarias (IRTA) in Monells, Spain. IRTA works on Food Functionality and Safety and Food Quality and Technology programs, and currently participates in the European Cropdiva project (https://www.cropdiva.eu/) through the project "Climate resilient orphan crops to increase Diversity in Agriculture ". The objective of this project is to promote underutilized crops with little commercial interest, such as: lupins, broad beans, buckwheat, barley, titricale and oats. IRTA is involved in the final part, in the development of new hybrid products, based on these cereals and legumes. To this end, the properties of lupine, broad bean and/or buckwheat derivatives will be evaluated and models of cooked hybrid meat products will be created, with at least 50% of the vegetable protein and the remainder of the protein being of animal origin. The Development of new products is one of the themes of the strategic area Innovation in Products and Processes, of the Institutional Research Development Plan - PDIP of ITAL (Process 2017/50349-0).