Cotutelle Ph.D.: Synergistic approach of pulsed electric fields and immobilized biocatalysts to obtain peptides with biological activities from agro-food proteins

Description

This project focuses on the enzymatic valorization of plant-based food proteins to obtain peptides with biological properties. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a promising approach for valorizing proteins into bioactive peptides. However, its efficiency remains limited by the native structure of the proteins and the high cost of biocatalysts. This doctoral project aims to explore the effect of Pulsed Electric Fields as a pretreatment to improve the enzymatic hydrolysis of plant proteins by immobilized enzymes, compared to thermal pretreatment.

Research Field

- Food technologies
- Biocatalysis
- Plant proteins
- Bioactive peptides

Research Supervisors

Sergey Mikhaylin
Rénato Froidevaux

Research Environment

Laboratory of food sustainability (EcoFoodLab), Food Science Department, Université Laval; UMR-Transfrontalière BIOECOAGRO INRAE N°1158, University of Lille, Lille, France.

The research project will be carried out jointly within EcoFoodLab, located in the Food Science Department at Université Laval (Canada) and within the UMR-Transfrontalière BIOECOAGRO INRAE N°1158, Institut Charles Viollette, Univ Lille, Lille, France. For an optimal realization of the project, the Food Science Department allows students to access a wide range of food processing processes at laboratory, semi-pilot, pilot and industrial scales. In addition, the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF) gives graduate students access to a complete analytical chemistry platform (HPLC, RP-UPLC-MS / MS-Q-TOF, RMN, etc.) and other supports (scholarships for excellence, mobility, knowledge transfer, etc.) On the French side, the UMRT BioEcoAgro will give students access to the REALCAT platform (robotic tools for screening enzymatic reactions (milliliter scale), LC-MS/MS analyses), as well as to the bioactivities platform of the research laboratory.

Web Site

Financial Aid Available by Program of Study

Doctorate in Food Science

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Submission and approval of research proposal AND project outline	$3,000
Expected progression in the study program	$3,000
First submission of dissertation before the end of the 11th semester	$4,000
Total	$10,000

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,500 to $3,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$25,000 to $40,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $45,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Desired Profile

- Food Science and Technology

Requirements and Conditions

Strong practical skills in biocatalysis and food chemistry will be required. Practical skills in food processes, electrochemistry, food analysis and analysis of biological activities will be appreciated.

Required Documentation

- Text about research interests
- Lettre de recommandation
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitæ
- Student transcript

Find Out More

Sergey Mikhaylin
Professeur agrégé
Département des sciences des aliments
sergey.mikhaylin@fsaa.ulaval.ca