Project Description
FunctionalTuna
Funded by the P2020 in about 470,000 euros, of which near 142,000 euros are allocated to CINTESIS, Functional Tuna is a project focused on the development of innovative functional tuna preserves.
By incorporating a number of ingredients (such as omega-3 fatty acids, beta-glucans and/or plant sterols) in sufficient quantities to allow a physiological response, these new preserves should have an impact on the reduction of total cholesterol levels and on the protection against cardiovascular disease.
Led by Conceição Calhau, principal investigator of the Thematic Line 1 of CINTESIS, the Functional Tuna project is promoted by a consortium constituted by the company Ramirez, the Faculty of Biotechnology of the Catholic University of Portugal (known as ESB in Portuguese), and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP).
Abstract
The main objective of the FUNCTIONALTUNA project is to develop a tuna preserve that contains a set of ingredients (namely omega-3 fatty acids, beta-glucans and/or plant sterols) in sufficient quantities to allow a physiological response in cardiovascular protection, with a reduction of total cholesterol levels, allowing its classification as a functional food. This new product is intended for consumers who are particularly concerned about issues related to maintaining health and reducing disease risk, meeting the latest and most important market trends in functional foods. The project is promoted by a consortium constituted by the company Ramirez, the Faculty of Biotechnology of the Catholic University of Portugal (known as ESB in Portuguese), and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), and it focusses on the áreas of biotechnology, and agricultural and food technologies.
The new functional tuna preserves to be developed are expected to have a number of innovative aspects. Some of those are: (i) enrichment in omega-3 fatty acids with protection in cardiovascular disease; (ii) incorporation of beta-glucans and plant sterols / stanols with an impact on the reduction of total cholesterol levels; (iii) synergistic combination of omega-3 fatty acids and plant sterols with maximization of impact on cardiovascular disease; and (iv) use of microencapsulation technology as protection for selected bioactive compounds of lower stability.
Funding Institution
P2020
Global Budget
479,273.54 €
CINTESIS Budget
142,586.80 €
Código do projeto
POCI-01-0247-FEDER-003466
Main objective
Reforçar a Investigação, o desenvolvimento tecnológico e a inovação
Região de intervenção
Norte
Entidade beneficiária
RAMIREZ & CA (FILHOS) S.A.
Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Universidade do Porto
Data de aprovação
20-10-2015
Data de início
01-01-2016
Data de conclusão
31-12-2019
Apoio financeiro da União Europeia
FEDER – 336.403.27€
Universidade do Porto: 106.940,10€
CINTESIS researchers involved
Conceição Calhau, Luís Filipe Ribeiro de Azevedo, André Emanuel Moreira do Rosário