Quality and Safety of Food and Feed

Photo: ATB

Project

Title
Non-thermal plasma potential in the hemp seed sprouting
Acronym
DAAD-PPP-Serbien
Start
01.01.2020
End
31.12.2021
Coordinating Institute
Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB)
Partner
University of Novi Sad

Allocated to research program
Summary
The project aims at testing the possibilities of non-thermal plasma treatment as applied for the sterilization (direct plasma treatment) and soaking (use of plasma activated water) of hemp seeds within the hemp seed germination process. Hemp seeds are enjoying a growing popularity as a super-food to beneficially affect chronic inflammation and. Hemp seeds are of great nutritional value, containing all essential amino and fatty acids to meet the human dietary demands. Not only hemp seeds but also hemp sprouts have the potential to be used as ingredients in the formulation of novel products for human and animal consumption with beneficial health effects. The germination process itself (conditions of elevated temperature and humidity) is associated with certain food safety risks due to favourable conditions for development and the growth of microbes. In order to minimize these risks, seed sterilization is performed before the soaking of seeds. The scientific community is engaged on finding safer, more sustainable and environmental friendly ways of seed sterilization, where novel, non-thermal processing technologies are employed, as within the framework of this project. Moreover, this project aims at expanding the upgrading of the knowledge and skills of researchers (especially PhD students), strengthening the research of institutions involved throughout the exchange of scientific results, experiences and best practices, as well as implementation of the obtain results obtained in the project in food industry and SMEs.

Funding
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
Funding agency
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
Funding framework
PPP Programme for Project-Related Personal Exchange (starting in 2020) with Serbia