The IFANCA-FDIP Symposium on Alternative Proteins, held by Texas A&M’s Food Science Department on October 30, 2024, was a tremendous success. The event gathered over 60 attendees—including students, faculty, and industry experts—to delve into the future of alternative protein sources through insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and a thought-provoking student research poster session.
Program Highlights
Welcome & Introductions: The day began with an introductory session, by Dr. David Baltensperger, Interim Department Head, Nooran Riaz, Food Scientist/IFANCA representative, and Dr. Mian Riaz, professor in Food Diversity, setting the stage for a deep dive into the current landscape of alternative proteins and their impact on sustainability.
Keynote Presentations
Expert speakers shared their knowledge on a variety of topics related to Alternative proteins:
Plant-Based Foods for the Triple Win! – Brett Christoffel, CEO of All Y’alls Foods, discussed the multifaceted benefits of plant-based proteins for humans, animals, and the planet.
Consumer Trends Shaping the Future of Meat and Dairy Alternatives – Lynn Dornblaser from Mintel provided insights into evolving consumer preferences in the alternative protein sector.
Cellular Agriculture: Transforming Protein Production for a Sustainable Future.- Dr. Reza Ovissipour, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, exploring cellular agriculture as a sustainable protein solution.
Integrating the Black Soldier Fly into Food Production – Dr. Jeffery Tomberlin, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, introduced the potential of insect-based protein, specifically the Black Soldier Fly, as part of a circular bioeconomy.
Alternate Proteins: State of Science – Dr. Matt Hotze from the Good Food Institute presented on current advancements and challenges in alternative protein science.
Variability in Pulse Crop Proteins – Dr. Brennan Smith from USDA-ARS discussed the challenges variability in pulse crops poses for consistent alternative protein production.
Religious and Ethical Aspects of Alternative Proteins – Dr. Mian Riaz, Department of Food Science & Technology explored the considerations for ethical and religious acceptance of alternative proteins.
Poster Session
The event concluded with a vibrant student poster session. This interactive segment gave students an opportunity to showcase their research and innovations, engaging with attendees and experts alike. The session highlighted the talent and curiosity driving future advancements in food science.
The judges for the poster competition
- Dr. Matt Hotze, Senior Director of Science and Technology, The Good Food Institute
- Dr. Matt Taylor, Professor Animal Science Department TAMU
- Dr. Rebecca Creasy Buckley, Instructional Assistant Professor Food Science & Technology, TAMU
| Graduate Student | Poster Research Topic |
|---|---|
| Muhammad Bilal | Effect of Proanthocyanidin and Pulse Protein Interactions on the Functionality of HMMA |
| Ikenna Okehie | Beyond Bugs: Fermenting Edible Insects into Novel Functional Food Ingredients |
| Armaghan Amanipour | Biomaterial Development as Scaffold for Scaling Up Cell-based Meat First Prize-$1000 |
| Arian Amirvaresi | Sustainable Serum-Free Media Using Plant Protein Isolates for Enhanced Cultivated Meat Production Third Prize-$500 |
| Zahra Mohebbi | The Effects of Various Factors on the Attachment and Biofilm Formation of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on Surfaces |
| Isabella McGrath | Metabolically Active Yet Non-Viable State of Listeria monocytogenes after Exposure to Electron Beam Doses Third Prize-$500 |
| Ana Nava Ochoa | Dark Sweet Cherry (DSC) extracts rich in anthocyanins (ACN) attenuate acquirement of drug resistance in 4T1 breast cancer (BC) cells through modulation of phase I drug metabolizing enzymes Second Prize-$750 |
| Elizabeth Culpepper | Gallotannins are a hydrolysable tannin family composed of gallic esters of glucose |
| Undergraduate Students | Poster Research Topic |
|---|---|
| Nathalie Salgado | The Science Behind Chlorella pyrenoidosa: Nutritional Benefits and Applications First Prize-$500 |
| Jaxson Hover | A diverse overview on protein and other beneficial nutrients in algae Second Prize-$300 |
Postdoctoral Research Presentations
| Babak Pakbin | Innovative Biomanufacturing of Postbiotics and Microbial Proteins from Agricultural Feedstocks for Serum-Free Media in Cellular Agriculture |
| Arash Shahsavari | Development and characterisation of lamb primary fat and satellite cell lines for cell-based meat applicatio |
| Fariha Irshad | Exploiting Plant-Based Protein Functionalities Through Tannin- Mediated Structural Modification And Application As Texturized Pulse Protein (Tpp) |
The symposium was a unique gathering that successfully fostered learning, collaboration, and networking around the potential of alternative proteins to shape a sustainable food future.
Thanks to everyone who attended, and we look forward to more groundbreaking discussions in future events!