OPTIPROT

Omic Technologies Network:
innovation on optimal protein combinations for consumers

Why OPTIPROT?

A conventional diet, with a significant proportion of extensively produced animal and/or vegetable protein, has an astronomical environmental impact. For this reason, with the aim of sustainable production and consumption, the search for alternative, more sustainable sources of protein has intensified.

As a result, the consumer is in a period of transition towards a more sustainable diet characterised by a coexistence of conventional and alternative proteins.

However, sustainability should not be the only aspect to consider in this food transition; the impact on health must be carefully assessed. Omics technologies offer different possibilities to study this impact accurately and efficiently.

In addition, the food industry still has to overcome technological, social and cultural and legislative challenges.

Main Objective

The general objective of the OPTIPROT Network is to increase knowledge and training to offer the food industry tools that facilitate the use of new protein sources for the development of healthy foods and ingredients.

Specifically, the aim is to promote the application of omics technologies to obtain and validate the combined use of various protein sources in the generation of different healthy foods as a differentiating and trend-setting element in the food of the future.

Expected results

The OPTIPROT project will provide socio-economic and environmental benefits. Some of these are highlighted below:

Increasing the product portfolio

by combining traditional animal-based proteins with plant-based proteins or other alternatives.

Business diversification

Creation of new economically viable business models

Increase in consumers

of alternative proteins.

Improving
training

of staff and the scientific communit y by increasing expertise in omics technologies in the field of nutrition

Spin-off generation

and strengthening the entrepreneurial community and boosting start-ups.

Improving sustainability

and environmental impact reduction.