Zest

Valorization of Agro-Industrial Waste through Fungi Fermentation supported by Digital Modeling

Project details

Type of project: Innovation Action - Demonstration
Project focus: Food, feed & cosmetics
Feedstock origin: Agri-food waste
Feedstock type: Crop residues

Project period: 1 June 2024 - 31 May 2028
Status: In progress
CBE JU Contribution: € 5 931 246,25
Call identifier: HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023

Summary

Traditional protein sources struggle to meet the global demand due to the ever-growing population and sustainability concerns. The ZEST project proposes an innovative solution to this challenge: harnessing fungi-based protein production technologies.

The project focuses on optimising fermentation processes and using low-cost agricultural waste streams as feedstock to produce a variety of bio-based protein products, such as protein-enriched food and feed, as well as related bioproducts, including cosmetic ingredients.

ZEST will also foster a sustainable and secure food system in line with the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy.

Develop an efficient, zero-waste automatic production system.
Design a multipurpose bioreactor adaptable to substrate with varying viscosities and dry matter content, while also integrating precise dosing systems into bioreactors for cascading use of filtrate.
Assess entire value chains to ascertain their economic viability, market potential, environmental impact, and sustainability of fungal-based products.
Identify candidate fungi species for mycoprotein production and optimise fungal fermentation processes to minimise bacterial contamination.
Develop a machine-learning model for predicting fermentation outcomes, implement a flexible control system for automatic parameter correction, as well as monitor and adjust mycelia production conditions for optimal yield and quality.
Extract mycoprotein and nutrients from mycelia biomass, improve product quality through post-processing techniques, explore cascading of residue/by-products for biomaterials, evaluate the functionality of extracted ingredients in food and pet food prototypes, and monitor waste production and energy consumption to meet sustainability goals.
Conduct safety, sustainability, and economic assessments, as well as share project findings to increase social acceptance, scale up mycoprotein production, develop a business model for market uptake, and operationalise the safe-and-sustainable-by-design framework for application in the project sectors.

Tested downstream outputs for suitability as animal feed and food, increasing the use of plant-based proteins.
Use of industrial- and food-processing sidestreams for fungal fermentation, recirculation of nutrients, and waste valorisation, thereby reducing media costs for fermentation companies.
Blueprint for bioreactor tanks suitable for mycelia production, integrated into process lines and available for purchase by fermentation companies.
Economically feasible production and upcycling of mycelia proteins and functional carbohydrates for food and feed ingredients, sold competitively to end-users.
Web-based setup for data collection and modelling, integrated into a platform for enhanced implementation in research and industrial facilities.
Modular upscaling capacity customised for bioeconomy value chain actors, providing necessary processing lines and technical knowledge for industrialisation, benefiting other sectors and industries.
Influence on future legislation by advocating to policymakers and relevant authorities, reducing environmental impact and improving societal well-being.
Comprehensive framework for assessing environmental, technological, social, and economic aspects of bio-based value chains, supporting bioindustry development and bioeconomy deployment in Europe.
Documentation of product efficacy, safety, and socio-economic assessment to guide future scientific and societal activities.