Deyang Xu receives grant from DFF
Project description
The UN SDG goals dictate a change to plant-based rather than meat-based protein for human consumption. Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is the world’s third largest oilseed crop, and the largest in EU and Denmark. The seed cake that remains after oil extraction, contains 30-40% protein with an excellent amino acid composition but is largely unexploited as food due to its content of antinutritional compounds. Recently, we discovered that blocking a specific biosynthetic enzyme results in accumulation of the health-promoting glucosinolate glucoraphanin known from broccoli instead of anti-nutritional glucosinolates, in model plant. As an innovative idea, we will translate this finding to rapeseed crop using advanced breeding technology. The seed cake is expected to form the basis of functional protein-rich wholefood products and food ingredients. Unleashing the potential of locally-grown rapeseed, as a healthy, plant-based protein source for food, can be a game changer in the green transition.
Deyang’s project starts on 1 June 2023 and has a duration of four years.
Link to Science announcement (in Danish)