Plant-based foods are considered to be more sustainable food source than animal-based foods due to their lower environmental impact. However, there is a challenge in producing plant-based foods with similar taste, texture, and appearance to animal-based products to meet consumers expectations. The appearance, which includes color, is the first sensory attribute consumers experience of foods, and so it influences consumers’ buying decisions. Food colorants are added to match the color of plant-based foods with animal-based ones. The food colorant choice is shifting toward natural colorants due to their perceived health benefits and clean-label aspects. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize the optical properties of plant-based foods using natural food colorants. Initially, the impact of natural pigments that selectively absorb light (turmeric, red beet, and butterfly pea flower) and colloidal particles that selectively scatter light (oil droplets) on the optical properties of model plant-based oil-in-water emulsions was investigated. It was found the pigment and oil droplet characteristics, including pigment type and concentration, and droplet size and concentration, could be adjusted to modulate the chromaticness or lightness of emulsions by altering light absorption and scattering effects. This knowledge is useful to optimizing the appearance of plant-based foods by adjusting these parameters. Then, natural pigments with three primary colors (yellow, red, and blue) were blended to mimic the color of animal-based products (raw meat, cooked meats, egg, and cheese). A color matching model developed from Kubelka-Munk and color theories was then used to determine the optimum ratio of each colorant needed to match the spectral reflectance of animal-based products. The methodology developed was able to optimize the color of model plant-based emulsions to that of different food matrices. The improved understanding of the optical properties of natural pigments and color matching theory developed in this study should help to formulate plant-based foods with more similar appearances to animal-based products, thereby increasing consumers’ acceptance of plant-based foods.

Background: Even the lowest-impact animal-based food production has a much larger negative impact on the environment compared to plant-based alternatives. The lifestyle change of reducing meat consumption would decrease the negative impact of the food sector. One key obstacle to adopting this more sustainable diet are the inhibitors of the consumption of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). The most commonly identified inhibitors are sensory attributes, price, health concerns, unfamiliarity with PBMAs and unwillingness to change. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explain the impact of inhibitors of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) consumption among meat-eaters in Sweden. Methodology: A quantitative and deductive research strategy was employed as the means of gathering data. The cross-sectional research design was used with the usage of self-completion questionnaires and administered on Facebook and Reddit. The sampling method employed convenience and purposive sampling and resulted in 334 responses (307 valid). The collected valid data was then cleaned, coded and subsequently examined through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.  Findings: The conducted regression analysis revealed that sensory attributes (H1), health concerns (H3), unfamiliarity (H4) and unwillingness to change (H5) had a significant negative impact on the consumption of PBMAs among meat-eaters in Sweden, thus these hypotheses were accepted. Price (H2) was found non-significant, resulting in the rejection of H2. Conclusion: The most impactful factor inhibiting the consumption of PBMAs among meat-eaters in Sweden was found to be sensory attributes (β = -0.265), followed by unwillingness to change (β = -0.238), health concerns (β = -0.161) and finally the least impactful unfamiliarity (β = -0.113). High prices were not an inhibitor of PBMA consumption among meat-eaters in Sweden. Conclusion: The most impactful factor inhibiting the consumption of PBMAs among meat-eaters in Sweden was found to be sensory attributes (β = -0.265), followed by unwillingness to change (β = -0.238), health concerns (β = -0.161) and finally the least impactful unfamiliarity (β = -0.113). High prices were not an inhibitor of PBMA consumption among meat-eaters in Sweden.

As more and more consumers are growing environmentally conscious, businesses are leveraging ways to showcase their sustainability efforts in their products by obtaining certifications and putting these labels in product packages. As certifications are rigorous and hard to obtain, obtaining certifications is a means to spearhead the sustainability momentum. However, academic research in certification, especially with non-food products made from plants, is limited. Hence, this dissertation study focuses on the influence of certification labels in consumers’ purchasing behaviors by specifically looking at consumers’ purchase intentions and willingness to pay higher prices for plant-based non-food products with certification labels. In addition, this dissertation study also explores the mediating role of perceived efficacy and perceived eco-friendliness on consumers’ purchase intentions and willingness to pay higher prices. Moreover, subsequent study will also examine the impact of informative certification labels.Across three experimental scenarios using household products such as multipurpose cleaners and laundry detergents, it was found that consumers show higher purchase intentions and greater willingness to pay higher prices for products with certification labels compared to products without certification labels. Similarly, it was found that consumers are willing to pay higher prices for plant-based products compared to non-plant-based products. The mediating relationship of perceived efficacy is observed with its effect being the greatest for plant-based and certified products compared to not-certified products whether it is plant-based or not. With regards to perceived eco friendliness, the research showed that consumers perceive plant-based and certified products as more eco-friendly than non-plant-based products despite their certification status leading to greater purchase intentions and willingness to pay higher prices. In study 3, the role of informative certification labels was investigated. Specifically, it was found that plant-based and certified products with informative certification labels (compared to plant-based and certified products without informative certification labels) demonstrated higher perceived efficacy leading to purchase intentions and willingness to pay higher prices. The findings from this dissertation benefit both academic marketing researchers and marketing managers. Manufacturers of plant-based household products can leverage the advantages of certification labels as a competitive edge and be able to remove doubts and confusions that consumers have towards plant-based non-food products by obtaining certifications.

Enligt Socialstyrelsen år 2019 var hjärt-och kärlsjukdomar den vanligaste dödsanledningen i Sverige och svarade för 31 % av alla dödsfall i landet. Akut kranskärlssjukdom tillhör hjärt- och kärlsjukdomar och är en folksjukdom som drabbar både kvinnor och män i hela västvärlden med högst mortalitet till följd. Kliniska studier har visat att den västerländska kosten med för högt animaliskt proteinintag, för högt intag av raffinerat socker och fett är den primära bakomliggande orsaken till dödsfall i hjärt-kärlsjukdom. Största riskfaktorn för kranskärl-och andra hjärtsjukdomar är arterioskleros (åderförkalkning). En växtbaserad 10 % lågfetthaltig Whole Food Plant Based-diet (WFPB) har visat sig ha en positiv effekt på arteriosklerosprocessen och vidare på hjärt-kärlsjukdomars utveckling. Syftet med detta projekt var att genom en systematisk litteraturstudie undersöka om hjärtsjukdomar, framförallt kranskärlsjukdomar (CAD) kan stagneras och/eller reverseras med hjälp av en lågfetthaltig WFPB-diet. Studien är baserad på 10 vetenskapliga artiklar framtagna ur databaserna CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar samt från referenslistan på två av de redan utvalda artiklarna. Samtliga tio artiklar som inkluderats i litteraturstudien valdes genom datainsamling, relevansbedömning och kvalitetsgranskning. För att säkerställa artiklarnas kvalité kvalitetsgranskades de relevanta artiklarna utifrån frågor skapade från en mall från Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärdering, SBU. De analyserade mätparametrarna i artiklarna var bl. a. angiografiparametrar, lipidbiomarkörer, anginasymtom, Flödesmedierat vasodilatationstest (FMD) samt Positronemissions tomografi (PET). De flesta granskade studierna visade reversering av CAD, två artiklar visade både reversering och stagnering och en artikel kunde inte bedömas. Stagnering eller reversering av kranskärlsjukdomar kan åstadkommas antingen genom en kombination av dietintervention och andra livstilförändringar som komplement till lipidsänkande medicinsk behandling eller genom endast diet-och andra livstilförändringar. / According to the National Board of Health and Welfare in 2019, cardiovascular disease was the most common cause of death in Sweden and accounted for 31% of all deaths in the country. Acute coronary heart disease belongs to cardiovascular disease and is a common disease that affects both women and men throughout the Western world with the highest mortality as a result. Clinical studies have shown that the Western diet with too high animal protein intake, too high intake of refined sugar and fat is the primary underlying cause of death in cardiovascular disease. The biggest risk factor for coronary heart disease and other heart diseases is arteriosclerosis (atherosclerosis). A plant-based 10% low-fat Whole Food Plant Based Diet (WFPB) has been shown to have a positive effect on the arteriosclerosis process and further on the development of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this project was to investigate through a systematic literature study whether heart disease, especially coronary heart disease (CAD) can be stagnated and / or reversed with the help of a low-fat WFPB diet. The study is based on 10 scientific articles produced from the databases CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar and from the reference list of two of the already selected articles. All ten articles included in the literature study were selected through data collection, relevance assessment and quality review. To ensure the quality of the articles, the relevant articles were quality examined on the basis of questions created from a template from the Swedish Agency for Medical and Social Evaluation, SBU. The analyzed measurement parameters in the articles were for example angiography parameters, lipid biomarkers, angina symptoms, Flow-mediated vasodilation test (FMD) and Positron emission tomography (PET). Most of the studies examined showed reversal of CAD, two articles showed both reversal and stagnation and one article could not be assessed. Stagnation or reversal of coronary heart disease can be achieved either through a combination of dietary intervention and other lifestyle changes in addition to lipid-lowering medical treatment or through dietary and other lifestyle changes only.

No description available.

Coccidiosis in chicken causes great economic losses. Increasing resistance of Eimeria species to anticoccidials has forced the search for alternative methods of control. The present study evaluates the anticoccidial activity of some anti-Eimeria tenella antibody fragments expressed in pea plants. Both in vitro and in vivo infection assays including indirect immunofluorescence, in vivo evaluation of antibody neutralization and cell culture invasion-inhibition assays were used to study the inhibitory effect of these antibody fragments on E. tenella sporozoites. Seven of nine antibody fragments (Ab1, Ab4, Ab5, Ab6, Ab7, Ab8 and Ab9) showed binding to sporozoites of E. tenella in an indirect immunofluorescence test. Only two antibodies (Ab4 and Ab5) cross reacted with sporozoites of E. maxima, E. acervulina and E. brunetti. The localization of specific fluorescence differed between species. Ab binding with sporozoites was seen in the area of both anterior and posterior refractile bodies in case of E. tenella, E. brunetti, and E. maxima but was only observed in the posterior refractile body in case of E. acervulina. No antibody binding was observed on merozoites. The suitability of antibody fragments to alter the infectivity of E. tenella sporozoites to Madin Darby Bovine Kidney cells (MDBK) was examined in vitro and the invasion-inhibition rates were quantified by flow cytometry. To assess the inhibitory effect on parasite reproduction, the in vivo antibody neutralization assay was done by retrograde infection of chicken with sporozoites previously incubated with antibody fragments. In vitro invasion rates were reduced by incubation with antibody fragments by approximately 24 to 45 %, with Ab6 and Ab7 showing the most distinct effect. However, proliferation rates (PR) of the respective MDBK cultures were also clearly reduced by 15 to 26 %. PR of MDBK cells treated with 1:1000, 1:100, 1:10 and undiluted mixed antibody fragments were reduced by 1%, 10%, 16%, and 26% with a reduction of invasion rates by 0%, 9%, 15% and 18%, respectively. Immune sera reduced the invasion rates by 16% to 70% and increased PR of the host cells. It appeared that the preparations of the antibody fragments contained compounds cytotoxic to MDBK cells and thus invasion inhibition could not be unequivocally evaluated in vitro. However, after incubation with antibody fragments sporozoites displayed a reduced ability to reproduce after intracloacal application to chicken (especially Ab1, Ab3, Ab5 and Ab9). Other antibody fragments (Ab2, Ab4, Ab6, Ab7 and Ab8) were less capable to reduce sporozoite infectivity and reproduction. More investigations are still required to study the possible use of antibody fragments and their application to infected chicken exposed to coccidiosis.

Objective: To establish stable transgenic non-toxic plants as a platform for plant-based vaccine production as well as potential oral delivery system of vaccine antigens for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The concept is to immunize the mucosal immune system present in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). HIV-1 p24 subtype C protein has been used as the main antigen model, in parallel with an engineered unique chimeric MOMP antigen from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E. Methods: Chimeric MOMP and p24 vaccine antigens were successfully inserted into the nuclear genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana and Daucus carota via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. The characteristics of the genetic inserts and corresponding mRNAs and recombinant proteins in planta were described using several methods, including northern, Southern, and western blotting, ELISA, and a commercial HIV Ag/Ab combination assay. Immunogenicity of the antigens was studied in mice models. Results: Transgenes of both plant species expressing p24 or chimeric MOMP were successfully generated. Additional HIV-1 vaccine antigen candidates were introduced and the genetic inserts have been confirmed in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Arabidopsis thaliana expressing p24 and chimeric MOMP were demonstrated to be stable over generations and antigenicity analyses showed that plant-derived HIV-1 p24 and chimeric MOMP retained immunological epitopes when they were expressed in planta. Oral administration of transgenic plant material generated a priming effect of the immune competent cells present in the GALT, shown by the presence of antigen-specific-IgG in mice sera after boosting. Mice immunized with plant-derived HIV-1 p24 antigen were also analyzed for antigen-specific faecal IgA as well as cellular immune responses. However, detectable levels of the two latter immune responses were not observed. The Chlamydia trachomatis chimeric MOMP antigen was further evaluated for its potential as a vaccine antigen candidate, with positive results indicating a more rapid clearance of the Chlamydia trachomatis infection post immunization. Conclusion: Stable non-toxic transgenic plants expressing either HIV-1 p24 or a novel  Chlamydia trachomatis chimeric MOMP antigens have successfully been developed. The two plant-produced STI vaccine antigens have in initial mice feeding studies provided important proof-of-concept for the oral vaccination approach. Now, immunization studies to expand, en-hance, and improve knowledge of the immune responses generated by the orally delivered transgenic plants are of high priority. / Kemi/biokemi

L’utilisation de ressources lignocellulosiques renouvelables connaît à l’heure actuelle un indéniable regain d’intérêt pour l’élaboration de matériaux de construction. Partant de ce constat, un premier axe de travail a vu l’élaboration de bétons de végétaux constitués de granulats de végétaux lignocellulosiques et d’un liant pouzzolanique. Les broyats de tige de chanvre et de tournesol ont ainsi été sélectionnés pour leurs similarités et leur disponibilité dans la région Auvergne. En parallèle, un liant pouzzolanique constitué de 80% en masse de sable de ponce volcanique provenant d’une carrière locale, de 20% de chaux aérienne et d’un activateur a été formulé. Les résultats obtenus montrent la similitude des caractéristiques des granulats de chanvre et de tournesol ainsi que des performances mécaniques et thermiques des bétons légers (<500kg.m-3) constitués de ces végétaux. Les matériaux formulés satisfont aux critères fixés dans les règles professionnelles de la construction en chanvre. Dans un deuxième axe de travail, l’analyse bibliographique réalisée a permis d’identifier la qualité d’interface entre les particules végétales et le liant minéral comme un des principaux verrous scientifiques concernant les bétons de végétaux. Les problèmes de prise à coeur de ces matériaux mériteraient en effet d’être reliés avec ceux observés à l’interface liant/bois. Deux voies d’amélioration sont ainsi explorées dans une approche multi-échelles mêlant analyses physico-chimiques et essais mécaniques : le traitement préalable des particules végétales et l’adjuvantation spécifique du liant. La première stratégie a consisté à réaliser sur les granulats végétaux deux types de modifications : un recouvrement à l’huile de lin et un traitement en solution aqueuse de Ca(OH)2. Afin d’analyser à court terme l’interaction entre les particules ainsi modifiées et le liant frais, un dispositif de mesure spécifique dit de la plaque immergée est utilisé. Les résultats montrent une amélioration de l’interphase liant/végétal après le traitement des granulats en solution de Ca(OH)2. De façon surprenante, les performances mécaniques des bétons de végétaux chutent lorsque les granulats sont préalablement traités. Cette approche, en plus d’être contraignante d’un point de vue industriel, ne résout donc pas de façon satisfaisante les problèmes d’interfaces liant/bois. La seconde stratégie mise en place a nécessité l’intégration dans le liant d’un adjuvant rétenteur d’eau de type éther de cellulose dans des proportions variant de 0,5 à 1,5% par rapport à la masse des poudres. Les observations d’échantillons réalisées au MEB et couplées à une analyse EDX soulignent l’aptitude de l’éther de cellulose utilisé à améliorer les interfaces liant/bois. Une explication de l’action de ces molécules polymères sur les interfaces, basée sur la bibliographie et l’analyse du liant, est proposée. Cette approche a permis l’élaboration de bétons de végétaux immédiatement démoulables, à la compactabilité et la cohésion accrue et dont les propriétés mécaniques sont améliorées par rapport aux solutions en usage. Notons que cette amélioration n’est pas effectuée au détriment des propriétés thermiques. L’utilisation dans les bétons de végétaux d’un rétenteur d’eau ouvre dès lors des perspectives de développement : blocs préfabriqués, enduits légers, murs de béton projeté… / The use of renewable lignocellulosic resources experiences an undeniable resurgence of interest for building materials development. Based on this observation, a first line of work has seen the development of plant-based concretes constituted of lignocellulosic aggregates and a pozzolanic binder. Hemp and sunflower stem aggregates were then selected for their similarities and availability in the Auvergne region. In parallel, pozzolanic binder consisting of 80% by mass of volcanic pumice sand from a local quarry, 20% lime and an activator has been formulated. The results show the similarity of hemp and sunflower aggregates characteristics as well as mechanical and thermal properties of lightweight concretes (<500kg.m-3) made of these plants. Formulated materials meet the criteria appointed in French professional rules ofconstruction in hemp. In a second line of work, the literature review driven enabled to identify interface between the plant particles and the inorganic binder as one of the major scientific issues concerning concrete plants. Heart hardening problems of these materials indeed deserve to be linked with those observed at the interface binder/wood. Two ways of improvement are explored in a multi-scale approach combining physico-chemical analysis and mechanical testing : pre-treatment of vegetable particles and specific adjuvantation of the binder. The first strategy was to make on the plant aggregates two types of changes : a linseed oil recovery and a treatment in an aqueous solution of Ca(OH)2. In order to analyse the short-term interaction between the modified particles and the binder, a specific measurement device based on an immersed plate is used. The results show an improvement of the binder/plant interphase after aggregates treatment in Ca(OH)2 solution. Surprisingly, the plant concretes mechanicals performances fall when plants are pre-treated. This approach is finally restrictive for an industrial point of view and does not solve satisfactorily binder/wood interface problem. The second implemented strategy required the adding in the binder of a waterretaining agent (cellulose ether) in amounts ranging from 0.5 to 1.5% based on the weight of the powders. Observations of samples performed on a SEM microscope and coupled with an EDX analysis underline the ability of the cellulose ether (CE) to improve binder/wood interfaces. An explanation of the action of CE molecules on polymer interfaces based on the literature and analysis of the binder is proposed. This approach has allowed the development of plant concretes immediately demouldable. Designed concretes also show higher compactability and cohesiveness as well as improved mechanical properties compared to the solutions in use. It should be noticed that this improvement is not made at the expense of thermal properties. CE used in plant concretes offer development opportunities : prefabricated blocks, lightweight coatings…

In this study, a Consequential Life Cycle Assessment (CLCA) was conducted on the introduction of a potato protein for human consumption in Sweden. The assessed environmental impact cathegories in the CLCA were the categories global warming potential, eutrophication and land use. Potato protein is a side-stream that occurs during the production of potato starch and is currently used for animal feed (feed-grade). With the use of the new gene-editing technique CRISPR-Cas9, the stability of proteins in a starch potato can be improved to make the potato protein fit for human consumption (food-grade). The food-grade potato protein can be used as an ingredient in the food products: plant-based meat, quiche, sauces, wine and smoothies. When using the potato protein in one of these food products seven protein sources could potentially be substituted: soybean protein, yellow pea protein, beef protein, pork protein, chicken protein, egg protein and milk protein. The results of the CLCA show that when using the potato protein as an ingredient in a food product instead of other protein sources environmental impact can potentially be reduced. Most environmental impact can be reduced by substituting animal proteins by the potato protein. Therefore, from an environmental point of view, the most interesting food products to use the potato protein in as an ingredient are the food products where currently animal products are used in as the main source of protein.

Syftet med denna studie är att studera och analysera hur konsumenter hanterar shopping av vegetariska livsmedel i praktiken. För att svara på detta används en kvalitativ metod i form av12 individuella intervjuer. Studien har använt sig av ett urval på nio kvinnor och tre män i åldrarna 19-25, alla konsumenter av vegetariska livsmedel. Resultatet visar på att konsumentens kompetens, motivation och material påverkar och styr hur aktiviteten utförs. Vilken kompetens en person besitter påverkar attityden mot vegetariska substitut vilket i sin tur påverkar val av produkter. Det materiella landskapet spelar också en viktig roll när det kommer till vilka möjligheter en konsument har. Utbudet ökar ständigt vilket bidrar tillmöjlighet av flexiblare matmetoder samtidigt som samhället öppnas upp för en merväxtbaserad kost. Sociala medier har även kommit att bli ett viktigt hjälpmedel i det vegetariska samhället och bidrar med både information av produkter, recept men även kunskap om hur maten ska tillagas på rätt sätt. Avslutningsvis visar studien på att motiv spelaren allt större roll vid shopping än vad man tidigare pratat om. / The aim of this study is to study and analyze how consumers handle vegetarian shopping in practice. To answer this, a qualitative method in the form of 12 individual interviews is used. The study used a sample of nine women and three men age 19-25, all consumers of vegetarian foods. The results show that the consumer's competence, motivation and materials affect and control how the activity is carried out. What competence a person has affects the attitude towards vegetarian foods, which in turn affects the choice of products. The material landscape also plays an important role when it comes to what opportunities a consumer has. The growing range of plant-based food products contributes to the possibility of more flexible food methods, while society opens up for a more plant-based diet. Social media has also become an important tool in the vegetarian society and contributes with both information of products, recipes but also knowledge of how food should be prepared in the right way. The study also shows that motivation plays an increasingly important role in shopping than previously discussed.