ENSAV
assessment Nutritional and Safety Aspects of Vegan Meat Alternatives: A Holistic Approach. (ENSAV)
♦ researcher Lead: Diana Ansorena and Amaya Azqueta
♦ reference letter: PID2024-156658OB-I00-ENSAV
♦ Funding agency: Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (State Agency for research, ERDF Funds)
♦ Call for Proposals: 2024 - “ knowledge”
♦ Start Date: September 1, 2025 End Date: August 31, 2029
There is broad consensus on the need to reduce the consumption of animal-based proteins in the per diem expenses and to provide healthy foods to the population. One of the most readily available, economical, rural-environment-friendly, and culturally acceptable alternatives is the use of plant-based proteins for the development of healthy foods. Through a approach multidisciplinary , ENSAV is studying the effects of using different types of ingredients, cooking methods, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the nutritional, health, and safety aspects of plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs).
The study will analyze the composition, bioavailability of nutrients, presence of bioactive compounds and antinutritional factors, and the pre training s of toxic compounds, as well as their potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, in both commercially available PBMAs and new formulations developed in a pilot plant. The results obtained will help ensure that PBMAs meet nutritional requirements s without compromising food safety or consumer health.
research funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033