SBIR-STTR Award

This project focuses on technology innovations which streamline the valorization of fruit/vegetable processing waste streams (pomaces) and recovery of health-relevant phytoactive constituents into shelf-stableprotein-polyphenol colloidal aggregate particles (ingredients) which have versatility for multiple applications in soft-solid foods and beverages. This project will specifically address:1) The aqueous recovery of highly concentrated fruit phytoactive constituents (e.g. polyphenols) from pomaces (residual seeds skins and fibers after juicing) using continuous microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and no solvents except water;2) The concentration and stabilization of fruit phytoactives by sorption to plant proteins(pulses/grains) to produce a protein-polyphenol colloidal aggregate matrix (paste format);3) the further processing of the protein-polyphenol matrices via a) microwave-assisted pasteurization (MAP) b) microwave-assisted sterilization (MAS) or c) spray-drying to powdered format (SD) to produce ready-to-use ingredients for multiple product platforms;4) Assessment of processing (MAP MAS or SD) influence on phytoactive chemical integrity protein solubility and digestibility of the colloidal ingredient;5) Testing of food functionality enhancements (foam stabilization emulsifying capacity andgelation characteristics) conferred by the protein-polyphenol ingredient in model foods and6) Sensory evaluation of a model food prepared with the stable protein-polyphenol ingredients. The protein-polyphenol ingredients offer a strategy for increasing access to and consumption of phytoactive fruit/vegetable phytochemicals and proteins via introduction of clean-label convenient and good-tasting fortified products for the American public.

In this proposal a clean cost-effective technology to recover and to stabilize phytoactive fruit compounds from waste streams is presented under Topic Area 8.5 (Food Science & Nutrition).The project is best aligned under Strategic Goal 7 (Provide all Americans Access to a Safe Nutritious and Secure Food Supply) but it also addresses key priorities aligned with Strategic Goal 3 (Promote American Agriculture Products and Exports) and Strategic Goal 2 (Maximize the Ability of American Agricultural Producers to Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World).This project focuses on technology innovations which streamline the valorization of fruit/vegetable processing waste streams (pomaces) and recovery of health-relevant phytoactive constituents into shelf-stable protein- polyphenol colloidal aggregate particles (ingredients) which have versatility for multiple applications in soft-solid foods and beverages. This Work Plan specifically addresses the following technical objectives:1) To adapt technology to available partner waste streams (apple blueberry concord grape)maximizing flavonoid content;2) To deploy test system to partner site for factory trial;3) To demonstrate the structural functionality in model food products including sensory analysis;and4) To demonstrate efficacy of protein-polyphenol colloidal aggregated on measurable biomarkers of efficacy and bioavailability in a randomized cross-over clinical trial. The protein-polyphenol ingredients offer a strategy for increasing access to and consumption of phytoactive fruit/vegetable phytochemicals and proteins via introduction of clean-label convenient and good-tasting fortified products for the American public. This Phase 2 will be commercialization-focused to ensure a successful scaled-up technology.