MYCOFLAVOR

Bioflavoring brewer’s spent grain by edible mushroom mycelium in solid-state fermentations

PROJECT INFO:

DURATION: 
2024-2027
 
FUNDING:
The Mission Partnership 
 

PARTNERS:
Swan Neck Bio
Circular Food Technology (AGRAIN) 
Copenhagen University
Copenhagen Business School

CHALLENGE

Limited flavour and sustainability in plant‑based meat alternatives

TECHNOLOGY

Solid‑state fermentation of spent grain for flavour and texture

POTENTIAL

Enables tasty, low‑impact alternatives using circular raw materials

Goal

  • Introduce savory flavors into a spent grain meat alternative by releasing cooking precursors through solid-state fermentation
  • Produce a natural, less processed, product which has been gastronomically improved for incorporation of plant fats and fermented spent grain
  • Investigate the environmental and economical sustainability of the fermented product


Plan

  • Test various mycelia to achieve a high flavoring capacity for solid-state fermentation under both pilot and medium-scale conditions.
  • Use advanced analytical methods to identify aroma biomarkers to guide efficient fermentation.
  • Optimize the nutritional and organoleptic profiles of the fermented product.
  • Evaluate the shelf life of the developed product.
  • Perform life cycle analysis and create a marketing plan to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the fermented spent grain


Expected results

  • Identify optimal growth conditions for high-flavor strains.
  • Develop protocols for efficient fermentation.
  • Obtain palatable vegetable steaks with a savory flavor profile, similar to meat.
  • Improve the environmental sustainability of the fermented product.
  • Develop a market entry strategy for both national and international markets.
PARTNERS:
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The project is part of the Mission Partnership, and the funding is provided by Innovation Fund Denmark.

We continuously open new calls and programmes that support innovation within food and bioresources.

Mette Kallestrup Spring

Mette Kallestrup Spring

Program Manager (mission partnership)

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