This $597,983 federal project grant awarded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (CFDA 10.310) program aims to enhance the quality and utilization of sunflower protein isolates and concentrates. The primary goal is to examine the impact of protein-polyphenol interactions on the structure, functional properties, and nutritional value of these oilseed-derived protein sources. Through chemical and enzymatic approaches, the research seeks to modulate these interactions and incorporate the improved sunflower protein powders into food products like baked goods, emulsions, and gels. The study will also investigate the effect of these modified proteins on the formation of advanced glycation end-products, which can be linked to chronic diseases. This work aligns with NIFA's mission to expand understanding of plant protein properties and drive innovation in the alternative protein sector by enabling the upcycling of oilseed byproducts. The grant was awarded to Chapman University, a private non-profit institution, and the project will be conducted at their facilities in Orange, California.
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