Projects / Programmes
Functional food based on interaction of polyphenol antioxidants, plant proteins and trace elements
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
B390 |
Biomedical sciences |
Phytotechny, horticulture, crop protection, phytopathology |
crop plants, trace elements, antioxidants, zinc, selenium, polyphenols, proteins, nutrition
Researchers (10)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
The purpose or this investigation is to follow the important quality parameters (polyphenols, proteins with functional value, trace elements selenium and zinc) of tartary and common buckwheat, peas, beans and pumpkins as possible potential functional food products »from field to table«. It is proposed to investigate the potential of mentioned underutilised crops. We expect the further elucidation if selenium is beneficial for plants, and/or if it has impact on mitochondrial respiration. We will establish the threshold concentration, with beneficial effects of selenium, and the upper selenium and zinc concentration threshold, with possible adverse effects on plants. This will be the bases for application of optimal technology of selenium and zinc fertilisation (soil fertilization, seed-soaking or foliar application, doses etc). Utilizable parts of the plants will be exposed to post-harvest procedure and air dried in a way to simulate the practical procedure in plant production. Part of the yield will be analysed as is, and a part will be exposed to hydro-thermal treatment to simulate normal cooking procedure and to study possible interactions among constituents. Further, soluble digestible and digestion resistant proteins, polyphenols (total, and attached to digestible proteins), and trace elements (total, and attached to digestible proteins) will be studied to improve the nutritional and functional value of products. Acceptability of novel functional food products (tartary buckwheat groats, cakes and bread with tartary buckwheat flour) and of less known food products (bread with addition of pumpkin, peas or beans protein concentrates/flour) will be panel tested. On this basis the acceptability and the feasibility of development and marketing of novel functional food products will be estimated.
Significance for science
It was investigated the interaction of polyphenolic substances, proteins and trace elements in food materials of plant origin. Metabolic factors were revealed as well. Impact of hydrothermal processing of food materials was revealed. Results were published in major international scientific journals from the field of agriculture and food science (see COBISS), a part of results is submitted for publication.
Significance for the country
Investigation opened new possibilities for high quality functional food products in Slovenia. Several new functional nutritional products were already designed in Slovenia, based on the results of this investigation. Some new products are already in Slovenian market, and further new functional food products are expected, based on the results of this project.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si