About this Research Topic
The market for plant-based protein is expected to grow due to the associated health issues related to the consumption of animal protein, especially in light of increasing zoonotic diseases, such as Covid-19. Addressing protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and environmental sustainability are other major global concerns. Furthermore, ensuring food security while adapting to climate change and a growing population, demands an environmentally sustainable food system. Concerning all these issues, the present Research Topic will aim to highlight potential plant species with a higher protein content that can be used to meet the growing food demand globally, as well as highlighting the characterization, functionality, and product formulation of these plant proteins. As proteins are vital to life; the challenge is to characterize and improve the functionality, physiochemical and nutritional properties of these proteins. The protein’s digestibility and profiling are other important issues along with developing their cost-effective methodologies.
The Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Review, and Perspective Papers that include or are related to the following topics:
1. Identification of neglected, underutilized and wild plant species and locally adapted varieties with their geographical distribution, nutritional benefits and their utilization as an alternate source of protein.
2. Cost-effective characterization, extraction methodology, and improving nutritional functionalities of plant proteins.
3. Nutrition and environmental sustainability of plant-based proteins and the processing impacts on their nutrition and bioavailability.
4. Advances in analytical techniques for amino acid profiling and characterization of plant proteins
5. Health benefits of plant proteins: in vitro and in vivo studies
6. Plant-based meat products; synthesis, characterization, and health benefits, 3D printing of food products containing plant proteins
7. Transgenic crops for increasing protein yield
8. Functional plant protein food supplements; formulation and functionality
9. Technological interventions for improving bioavailability, digestibility, and organoleptic properties of plant proteins
10. Market analysis of plant-based protein products: are we moving towards sustainability?
11. Food waste as an alternative source of plant protein: current scenario and challenges
12. Environmental impact on food security: special focus on plant proteins
Keywords: Plant protein, Nutrition, sustainable food, characterization, formulation, novel sources, health effects
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.