João Pedro Trigo

João Trigo is a PhD student at the division of Food and Nutrition Science. His research is mainly focused on the use of seaweed as a source of novel food proteins. A gradual shift from animal- to vegetable-based protein is needed for a more sustainable agri-food chain; seaweeds may play an important part in this shift since their cultivation does not require irrigation, pesticides or arable land. During his project, João will characterize nutrient-rich media to be used for seaweed cultivation and refine existing protein extraction strategies aiming to improve protein yields. Further, the functional and nutritional properties of the produced seaweed protein concentrates will be evaluated as well as their accessibility after in vitro digestion.