IMPROVE aims at evaluating the nutritional, health, safety and quality aspects together with the environmental and socio-economic impacts of protein novel foods (NFs) obtained from unconventional sources. In order to close the project loop by maximizing the positive 
impact on the transition towards healthier, protein NFs, the overall approach to alternative protein production in IMPROVE is based on utilization of selected agrifood and fisheries&acquaculture by-products as primary feedstock as well as on the utilization of natural protein producers, i.e. fungi, bacteria, insects micro- and macroalgae. The secondary by-products formed along the value chain will be up-cycled for their use in the food production cycle or for the production of process energy. The obtained proteins will undergo modification and functionalization followed by a sensory evaluation and testing in 
food human trials and in aquaculture as feed ingredients. The project will also test the feasibility of producing NF products by simulating realistic industrial scale, using different methods and tools such as LCA, LCC, RA, TEA and AO as well as Digital Twins and real time AI-driven monitoring and DSS tools. The optimization of parameters affecting the protein NF production will be evaluated at the end to increase protein content and the impact assessment evaluated on each single stage (extraction, characterization, modification/functionalization of protein rich fraction, 
production of NFs) and on the integrated processes. IMPROVE NF acceptance and social relevance –also through sensory evaluation actions- will be assessed in four markets (Europe, USA, Africa and Asia) to benchmark the European scenario with the rest of the world. Only by using an integrated approach like the one proposed in IMPROVE will it be possible to evaluate the correct feasibility in the use of alternative proteins in the food sector with a realistic sustainable approach.
Project Τitle: “Improve- impact of alternative protein sources to improve nutrition”
Project Duration: 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2027
Project URL: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101182324
Project Framework & Funding: HORIZON.2.6-Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Total cost : € 5 273 375,00
Scientific coordinator (UNIWA): Kaba Evridiki
Consortium – Partners: Consortium: 18 partners- 13 countries
CentraleSupélec (France), ENEA (Italy), University of Hohenheim (Germany), VenusRoses Labsolutions Ltd. (Bulgaria), University of West Attica (Greece), National Technical University of Athens (Greece), Universidade do Minho (Portugal), DTU – Technical University of Denmark (Denmark), CARTIF (Spain), GOLEM Integrated Microelectronics Solutions GmbH (Austria), AquaBioTech Group (Malta), Nordic Diaspora Forum (Sweden), Cyprus Consumers Association – Κυπριακός Σύνδεσμος Καταναλωτών’ (Cyprus), GRANT Garant s.r.o. (Czechia), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy), AgriClima Consulting (Sweden), IDENER.AI (Spain), Consorzio per l’innovazione e la Bioeconomia In.Bio – (Italy)
