Biotechnological processes to increase the safety, shelf-life, and quality of food formulations and ingredients in the MENA (North Africa and Middle East) region

The research will focus on developing biotechnological processes based on safe microorganisms to enhance raw materials and agro-industrial waste from the MENA region, resulting in food formulations and ingredients with increased safety, shelf life, and functionality. The research will be conducted as part of the FOCUSER project, which aims to promote the transfer of knowledge and innovation between the five RER universities and the North African and Middle Eastern regions. During the research, supply chains of interest within the MENA region will be identified and, based on these, the microorganisms of food-related interest to be used in the research will be selected. The resulting food formulations and ingredients will be characterized from a microbiological (through traditional and molecular techniques), chemical-physical, and functional perspective.