MIKROAKTIV PROJECT

Increasing the safety, sustainability & functionality of food and feed

Team
Picture: FH Upper Austria

Inhibition test - agar plate with test discs
Photo: Julia Kirchsteiger

Various agar plates with plants
Picture: Julia Kirchsteiger 

MikroAktiv is a cooperation project between the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria and the Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety & Innovation (FFoQSI) at the research location Wels. The project focuses on the interaction between microorganisms with food and feed with the aim of increasing safety, sustainability and functionality.

Microorganisms have a significant influence on the quality of food and animal feed. They can lead to contamination along the entire value chain and also increase the health benefits of food and feed for humans and livestock through their metabolites. Conversely, food and natural plant substances can also have a protective effect against pathogenic microorganisms.

Project objectives and expected results

The aim of the project is to research, develop and implement new technologies and selected scientific approaches to improve and optimise the use of food and animal feed.

• Specifically, new natural active ingredients with antimicrobial properties - as a natural alternative to antibiotics - are to be identified on the basis of different extract libraries, in particular from regional raw materials.
• In addition, plant-based raw materials and their ingredients are to be modified through biotransformation so that a potentially health-promoting effect can be achieved. Microorganisms can convert plant ingredients through fermentation and increase their biological activity.

   

Performance period

Project start: 01.01.2024 / Project end: 31.12.2028 / approx. 2 million project budget

Further informationen on the IBW/EFRE- & JTF programs can be found at www.efre.gv.at.

Lead Researcher: 

FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Julian Weghuber

FFoQSI Area Leader GREEN

Leader CoE Food Technology and Nutrition
Center of Excellence Food Technology and Nutrition at the University of Applied Sciences

julian.weghuber@fh-wels.at
+43 5 0804 44403
www.fh-ooe.at

Project Leader: 

Dr. Bettina Schwarzinger
MikroAktiv Project Coordinator & Senior Researcher

bettina.schwarzinger@ffoqsi.at
+43 5 0804 44170
www.ffoqsi.at
www.fh-ooe.at