OPTIPROT

Cervera network of excellence for the innovation of new protein sources for the generation of different foods, prioritizing sustainability processes, the impact on health and consumer demands.

The OPTIPROT project addresses the transition towards a more sustainable nutrition by searching for new respectful sources of alternative protein, assessing both the environmental impact and the repercussion on human health and optimizing the technological, social, cultural and legislative challenges.

For this purpose, omic technologies (transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics) are used which, within the context of food and through the use of high-performance tools, improve human nutrition and its consequences for health.

The current food system focuses on large amounts of extensively produced animal and vegetable proteins. This shift towards a more sustainable diet involves the coexistence of conventional proteins with alternatives. The OPTIPROT network increases knowledge and training in this regard, to provide the food industry with tools that facilitate the use of new protein sources for the development of healthy foods and ingredients.

To achieve the project’s objectives, there are four key areas of action: technological training, resource optimization, internationalization and technology transfer. All this with the clear purpose of improving the current range of products, expanding it with innovative combinations of conventional proteins with alternatives, such as those derived from legumes or algae.

For this reason, new sustainable business models are encouraged, and professionals are trained and specialized in the field of omics applied to nutrition, promoting the creation of new emerging companies and, finally, actively contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact associated with our food system.

Eurecat participates in OPTIPROT through its Omic Sciences Unit, responsible for the characterization of the amino acid profile of the different protein sources, as well as the organoleptic analyses using untargeted metabolomics for volatile compounds. The Unit is also responsible for studying the effect of antinutrients on the intestinal absorption of different dietary compounds, the molecular characterization of cultured meat and the metabotyping and enterotyping of clinical studies.

In addition, the Nutrition and Health Unit carries out and validates protein quality studies, determining the effect of new protein combinations and alternative protein sources on health, using in vitro, in vivo and preclinical models.

OPTIPROT is coordinated by the AZTI technology centre and, in addition to Eurecat, has the participation of AINIA, ANFACO and the National Center for Technology and Food Safety (CNTA).