How to isolate functional novel seed protein ingredient and bioactive peptides?

We are working in protein rich seed protein that is trending as a novel ingredient for plant-based protein food industries. We are looking to extract protein isolate and bioactive peptides from the seed press cake.

How prepared and equipped is Manitoba to sustain pulse industries with devastating and long lasting diseases?

Aphanomyces root rot disease has major implications for peas in the Prairies.

How can we better support our farmers through market volatility coupled with climatic/environmental shifts while achieving higher protein production targets?

In recent years, Manitoba’s agricultural producers have been challenged by the changing climate and its impacts on production. Industry stakeholders have expressed concerns regarding gaps in the current core programming ability to assist producers in recovery.

What are the motivations & implications of increasing total protein consumption for human health (ie. gut microbiome, kidney function etc.), and how does an omnivore diet compare to a whole food plant-based diet in this respect?

Studies show that eating a plant-based diet low in both saturated fat and calories provides optimal nourishment for human needs, and improved overall health and resilience to disease and aging. How does increasing production of protein in the food system sustain or improve from a whole food high plant based diet? Also, consuming too much protein can be a bad thing. Why create more social-economic issues when other issues like diabetes (created through industrialized food systems using high levels of saturated fat and high calorie based foods) already plague the healthcare system?

How can technology and data be utilized to build precision ranching?

Can advances in precision agriculture be applied to livestock production? What types of data can better inform livestock management, and what is the return on investment?

How do measures of productivity, ecosystem services, and soil health compare between permanent perennial forage stands, no-till diverse cropping systems with short term perennial stands in rotation, and continuous annual monoculture crops?

Goal to increase understanding of management decision impacts on farm sustainability.

What is the economic, nutritional, and climate mitigating value of feeding plant processing co-products to livestock?

Growing opportunities and questions on how to utilize alternative feedstocks for livestock production. Currently lack comprehensive information on types of products, accessibility, feed cost, feed value, and potential implications for methane production.

How can we monetize various ecological goods and services, other than carbon?

MFGA and Aquanty have been developing new risk management tools to reduce the impact of extreme flood or drought events for the agricultural industry within the Basin by identifying preventative measures, implementing risk prevention and mitigation activities, all with the intention of lessening the need for government disaster programming in response to such events.

How can we overcome the barriers / challenges associated with consuming insect protein?

Crickets are high in protein and an excellent source of vitamin B12, zinc and manganese. They contain all 9 essential amino acids and are the ideal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3. Cricket powder is also a non-dairy source of calcium and contains prebiotic fiber that supports gut health.

How does oat dietary fiber induce changes in gut microbiota function, and what kind of health benefits can we see from this alteration?

Research shows that a fiber‐enriched diet from oats can develop a favorable environment in the gut by altering the composition of microbes and modulating produced metabolites. Modifying the gut environment can bring health benefits such as weight management.

What are the health benefits of bioactive compounds found in oats and how can we effectively retain them in oat processing to generate healthy food, or other products like cosmetics?

Research is required to better understand oat-based bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, docosahexaenoic acid and anthocyanins. These may also play a role in Metabolic Syndrome – a risk factor for many diseases.

Nitrogen flow in sow production

Farm nitrogen efficiency can be greatly improved through precision production (ie. Reducing waste from sow production, Reducing feed costs, Using waste products from other production etc.). Can we model and quantify this?

Microbiome

Soil and animals need an appropriate microbiome (ie. Healthy manure for better crops. Healthy crops for proper start of microbiome in animals). Is there relevance in trying to optimize this circularity?

What is the key protein quality characteristic that could be used to routinely screen wheat varieties and lines for their baking performance?

Studies have shown that protein content alone does not predict the baking performance of wheat. Protein quality is a better indicator. For example, some higher yielding medium protein wheats in the CPSR and CWRW wheat classes show potential as bread wheats while others do not.

Is it possible to reduce fertilizer inputs by targeting protein quality rather than yield?

Fertilizer application in wheat production is done to increase wheat yields. Rather than applying blanket fertilizer nitrogen rates to wheat, can we explore other alternatives?

Can the negative relationship between asparagine content and wheat dough extensiograph properties be exploited to screen wheat varieties for free asparagine content and protein quality?

Recent work conducted by the University of Manitoba showed a negative relationship between asparagine content and wheat dough extensiograph properties. Free asparagine content is a
precursor to acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen. Protein quality also impacts baking performance.