Title: FRIETS : Sustainable optimization of the value chain of added-value fresh and dried berries through the integration of Precision Agriculture management strategies and innovative dehydration and edible coating

Call: H2020-MSCA-RISE-2020

Topic: MSCA-RISE-2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange

Grant Agreement No.: 101007783

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Description

Maintaining a healthy diet requires sufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, nowadays, the fast pace of modern lifestyle discourages individuals from reaching their optimal daily intake via consumption of fresh fruits/vegetables, ultimately creating an increasing demand for natural, nutritive, healthy and personalized ready-to-eat snacks. It is also an accepted actuality that there is a lack of healthy food snacks for personalized nutrition in the market. Hence, the development of such products, which can also be tailor-made to the needs of specific groups (young children, elderly, diabetic, sportive etc.), is a long-awaiting innovation. FRIETS project aims in training cross-disciplinary scientists from 5 European countries, in collaboration with international SMEs, for the development and marketization of personalized, nutritious and innovative, soft fruit smart snacks that contain no added sugar, sodium or chemical preservatives, as a palatable way to increase daily fruit consumption. FRIETS smart snacks will include novel processed berries (strawberry, raspberry and blackberry) with superior quality and nutritional characteristics, as well as extended shelf-life. Pre-harvest management practices will be optimized for cultivating high-quality berries. Low impact post-harvest technologies will be developed and optimised including (1) mild and energy efficient drying techniques (e.g. osmotic dehydration, freeze drying, microwave vacuum drying or their combination) using limited or no sugar or salt, and low temperatures, (2) composite or multi-layered edible coatings, based on micro- and macro-algae components, including encapsulated or non-encapsulated natural functional ingredients. Life Cycle Analysis and socio-techno-economic analysis will be implemented for the sustainable development of new products. FRIETS implementation will be based on staff secondments, strengthening collaborative research among different countries and sectors.

Partners:

Rezos Brands Anonymi Emporiki Eteria Idon Diatrofis (Coordinator)

National Technical University of Athens

Geoponiko Panepistimion Athinon

Technologiko Panepistimio Kyprou

Universitatea De Stiinte Agricole Si Medicina Veterinara Cluj Napoca

Universita Ta Malta

University of Huddersfield

Dignity Idiotiki Kefalaiouxiki Etaireia

Fysika Prostheta Trofimon EE, Natural Food Additive

Mountain Berries Pitsilia N.V. LTD

KPAD LTD

Cencira Centrul De Cercetare Si Inovare Agroalimentara SRL

Mgarr Farming Ltd