R&D - Project

FOODWAL Ongoing

Stimulating Food Innovation in Wallonia

Peptiboost & Proteboost develop sustainable and industrializable approaches to produce and characterize bioactive peptides and proteins, improving the quality of food products.

Vegetables, seeds and dried fruits on wooden board, healthy diet
Fermenting kombucha bottles and jar outdoors

As part of the Walloon Public Service (SPW) Win4Excellence 2022 program, which aims to support the funding of excellent collaborative research between Belgian French-speaking universities and accredited research centers, the FoodWal portfolio was proposed. Established to benefit the Walloon economic fabric, the FoodWal portfolio comprises three projects titled MICROBoost, PEPTIBoost, and PROTEBoost, focusing on the current challenges faced by Walloon economic stakeholders in the field of future food.

The FoodWal Portfolio

The FoodWal portfolio brings together three flagship projects aimed at transforming the food of tomorrow through innovative, sustainable, and high value-added approaches. Together, they position Wallonia as a key player in the production of healthier, functional, and environmentally friendly food products.

MICROBoost

This project explores the potential of human, animal, and plant microbiomes to improve the nutritional, functional, and organoleptic quality of food. It develops:
  • volatilome analysis methods to better understand the interactions between microbiota, diet, and health,
  • innovative microbiotics (prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, fermented foods),
  • scientific studies on the impact of these microbiotics on obesity and inflammation,
  • digital tools for personalized nutrition and dietary behavior monitoring.

PEPTIBoost

This project focuses on the production and characterization of bioactive peptides, short protein sequences that offer health benefits in addition to their nutritional value. It implements:
  • new methods for the production and characterization of protein hydrolysates from agri-food co-products,
  • innovative techniques for fractionation, bio-guidance, and purification,
  • studies on the effects of bioactive peptides on obesity, inflammation, and gut microbiota,
  • digital tools based on artificial intelligence to predict peptide properties and biological activity.

PROTEBoost

This project aims to valorize industrial co-products by producing microbial proteins for human and animal consumption. Its innovations focus on:
  • methodological processes for producing these proteins from secondary resources,
  • optimized technologies for harvesting, concentrating, and stabilizing microbial biomass while preserving its nutritional and sensory qualities,
  • scientific research on the formulation and implementation of this biomass in attractive, healthy, and sustainable products,
  • digital tools to optimize bioprocesses, evaluate their sustainability, and facilitate their industrial transposition.