RaPEQ – Rapeseed as a native source of high-quality protein for human nutrition – Plant breeding joint research projects Subproject E

• funding program: BMBF Förderinitiative „Pflanzenzüchtungsforschung für die Bioökonomie, Nationale Forschungsstrategie Bioökonomie 2030“ (Projektträger Jülich, 031B0198E)
• term: 11/2016 – 10/2019
• project partner:
  • Technische Universität München
  • Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
  • DIL – Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik e.V.
  • Universität Bielefeld
  • Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
  • NPZ Innovation GmbH

Initial position:

Rapeseed is an important oil seed grown in Germany. In addition to the high oil content, rapeseed contains high-quality protein, which is hitherto only used as feed. The two Rapeseed proteins Cruciferin and Napin are nutritional-physiologically interesting for human nutrition. For the establishment of these proteins in the food market, it is intended to optimize new rapeseed varieties with protein properties applicable in food products. For the derivation of suitable applications, protein content, composition, techno-functional and sensory properties of the rapeseed proteins have to be aligned according to the requirements.

Aim:

A key target of RaPEQ is the introduction of rapeseed proteins into the food market. This will be considerably accelerated by using new genomic tools combined with modern analytics and molecular approaches of the scientific methodology for experimental planning and statistics for the breeding of new rapeseed varieties.

Specifically, the RaPEQ priorities include:

• Increasing protein content and yield while maintaining the high oil content
• Establishment of improved tools for protein analysis to support detection of relevant breeding lines / genotypes
• Determination of the genetic basis for the napin / cruciferin ratio in the seed
• Identification and characterization of the key molecules for the sensors of rapeseed protein isolates
• Development of a process technology to improve the protein yield with excellent protein quality and techno-functional properties

In the first stage, PPM will carry out investigations on the selection and establishment of a reference method for protein extraction. On this basis all bred samples will be extracted and treated subsequently.

Further information can be found here.