Microreactor-assisted Maillard reaction to valorise rapeseed cake protein for the production of plant protein emulsion beverages

Objective

The substantial amount of agro-industrial by-products, such as rapeseed cake, poses an environmental concern in the EU. MiMaPro is a multidisciplinary project that aims to valorise rapeseed cake by modifying the structure of rapeseed cake protein (RCP) and enhancing its value as a plant protein beverage, both in the laboratory and pilot-scales. This strategy aligns with the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan and meets consumer demand for plant-based diets. Novel approaches will address techno-functional challenges, including low solubility and emulsification of RCP: a) Microreactor-Assisted Maillard: MiMaPro's originality lies in improving the techno-functional properties of RCP by employing a microreactor-assisted Maillard reaction to create conjugated RCP. A microreactor will be used to accelerate the reaction while managing the progression to advanced glycation, finally improving solubility and emulsification. b) Spray Drying: MiMaPro will employ optimised spray drying (as a scalable process) to produce Maillard conjugated RCP powders with minimal variation from freeze-dried powder. c) Emulsion Creation: Conjugated RCP will be partially blended with pea protein to create a hybrid protein with a balanced amino acid profile. An emulsion stabilised by this blended conjugated RCP-pea protein will be prepared, followed by kinetic stability determination and bioavailability assessment of emulsion-loaded vitamin D3. d) Upscaling and Prototype Generation: MiMaPro will scale up the microreactor and spray drying based on the knowledge gained from steps a-c to produce a plant protein emulsion beverage prototype. The majority of MiMaPro will be conducted at UL (host). The fellow will participate in a secondment at Ulster University to study vitamin D3 bioavailability and undertake an industry placement at CPI to upscale the process and develop a prototype. The fellow will also receive a comprehensive training plan that includes both scientific and transferrable skills.