Million-euro grant for research on pathogens in plant-based products

Researchers of Wageningen University & Research have received a grant of one million euros through the international platform Plant2Food. This funding is intended for a study on pathogens in plant-based products. The research, named GRASP (Genomic-driven Risk ASsessment of Plant-based foods), focuses on genetically characterizing harmful bacteria and their behavior in plant-based foods. The goal is to help producers better control harmful microorganisms.

Safety of plant-based products

The GRASP study specifically targets the safety of new plant-based products, such as dairy alternatives. "We see a market shift towards both hybrid and fully plant-based products," says Heidy den Besten, Professor of Food Microbiology. This shift is driven by consumer preferences and the need for food companies to support both traditional and new production lines.

Plant-based raw materials like oats, peas, and almonds can contain harmful bacteria that produce toxins. For instance, Bacillus cereus can cause diarrhea and nausea, while Clostridium botulinum can cause paralysis. These bacteria are particularly dangerous because they form spores, a type of dormant cell resistant to extreme conditions such as heat and cold. Under favorable conditions, these spores germinate and the bacteria grow, surviving even pasteurization, and thus entering food products.

Genetic characterization of bacteria

Bacterial behavior varies under different conditions. Some bacterial subgroups are heat-resistant, while others grow well at low temperatures, such as in refrigerators. "If we treat all subgroups the same, their behavior is hard to predict," explains Den Besten. The research team aims to genetically characterize Bacillus cereus and Clostridium botulinum and determine their behavior in various subgroups. This helps predict which subgroups are problematic under specific conditions and how they can be controlled.

The project is a collaboration with various partners, including the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the Danish Food and Drug Administration. Wageningen University & Research, together with Danish researchers, will appoint a PhD student, a post-doc, and two analysts for the project. "The Danes focus on Clostridium botulinum, while we investigate Bacillus cereus," says Den Besten.

Plant2Food: a sustainable future

This research is funded through Plant2Food, a collaborative platform that brings together industry and academic experts. Plant2Food aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, plant-based food system and has allocated 27 million euros over the next three years. This funding comes from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, a significant private financier of scientific research in Denmark.

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