Collaboration between Cereal Docks, the University of Padua, the CNR Neuroscience Institute in Padua, the Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM, Padua), and the European Synchrotron in Grenoble (France) has led to the identification of bioactive peptides from sunflower protein isolate developed by Cereal Docks (Italian patent application number IT102022000016812). These peptides have demonstrated notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in various model systems, including zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) plays a vital role in Cereal Docks' supply chains, presenting a valuable opportunity for the agricultural sector. Sunflower seeds offer an excellent protein source with a favorable organoleptic and amino acid profile and are not listed among the fourteen major food allergens identified by European Regulation 1169/2011.
Cereal Docks has pioneered a protein extraction process from sunflower seeds, resulting in an innovative protein isolate. This product distinguishes itself not only through its sunflower seed origin but also through its high nutritional and organoleptic quality. Its versatility allows for a wide range of applications, including protein-enriched baked goods, gluten-free products, mayonnaise, sauces and dressings, plant-based beverages, ice creams, spreads, cheeses, plant-based hamburgers, breaded products, and meat analogs.
The project 'Agriculture of the Future and Functional Foods: A Challenge for Research and the Revitalization of the Veneto Region' involved partners from the regional innovation networks Innosap and Ribes-Nest, in which Cereal Docks is also a participant. The project focused on identifying and characterizing new active ingredients in plant-based raw materials to improve primary production, with a particular emphasis on biological activity and immune response. The full scientific article is published in Food Chemistry.
