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Plant-based meat alternative from brewers' spent grain

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.

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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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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 252 728,64
Address
NATIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL PARK, PLASSEY
- Limerick
Ireland

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Region
Ireland Southern Mid-West
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

No data

Partners (1)

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