LEAF · Lecithin Engineering for Antioxidant Functionality
Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2026-09-01 → 2028-08-31
- EU contribution
- €209,915
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Project objective
Lecithins are widely used food emulsifiers with emerging antioxidant potential, yet their efficacy may be compromised by impurities such as lipid oxidation products and especially trace metals (Fe, Cu) that are not removed in conventional refining. These prooxidants, currently unregulated in EU legislation, accelerate food spoilage and pose health risks. The LEAF project (Lecithin Engineering for Antioxidant Functionality) proposes a disruptive green purification strategy to produce sunflower-derived lecithins with tailored phospholipid compositions and enhanced antioxidant functionality. Using bioethanol as the sole solvent, combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction, nanocellulose adsorption, and electrocoagulation, the project will remove harmful impurities and enrich key phospholipids (PC, PE, PI). The novel lecithins will be explored for nanoencapsulation of polar antioxidants, aiming to improve oxidative stability in bulk oils and emulsified lipid-based foods such as wafer biscuits. By focusing on how phospholipid composition influences antioxidant transport, protection, and regeneration, the project aims to clarify mechanisms of lipid stabilization. Oxidation will be monitored using advanced Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, enabling sensitive detection of early lipid radicals beyond conventional methods. Functionality and stability will also be validated using complementary analytical techniques (HPSEC-RI, ³¹P-NMR, HPLC-ELS, FTIR). AI-assisted modeling will optimize process parameters and assess environmental sustainability and industrial scalability. Aligned with Green Chemistry principles and supporting SDGs 2, 3, 9, 12, and 13, the project contributes to safer, cleaner-label, and more sustainable food systems. Hosted at the Instituto de la Grasa-CSIC, the fellowship offers cutting-edge training and international collaboration, empowering the researcher to lead future innovations in lipid science and antioxidant technologies.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridCoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union