TFTAK

In January 15 participants started TFTAK’s most in-depth microbiome study to date, named „RUP Tervisekonto“.

Our aim of the study was to investigate the individual health effects of 2 fiber components – beta-glucan and rye bran – and 2 fiber mixes: „Calm Your Rumbly Tummy“ and „Feel Good Inside“ by Elsavie.

The health indicators monitored in the study were the composition of the gut microbiome, various blood markers, body composition and self-reported indicators of emotional well-being. The study was highly individualized, taking into account the lifestyles, travel plans and fluctuations in health of each participant.

On the last day of June – over 5 months after the starting date – 12 brave participants reached the end of the study. By that date, a significant amount of data had been collected. It included about:

• 500 microbiome samples

• 100 blood samples

• 100 body compositions

• 100 mental health questionnaires

• 2000 daily food diaries

„RUP Tervisekonto“ study was a big step forward in the science of microbiome, especially from the viewpoint of personalized nutrition and health!

First results from the study should become available in the second half on this year.

„I am an ethusiast of the topic of „microbiome vs health“ and I am also interested in personalized nutrition/ medicine. These personal interests were the main reasons for partcipating in the study. It is very interesting to know what kind of bacteria lives in my gut and how they can support my health.“

– A participant of the study „RUP Tervisekonto“

If you would also like to take part in interesting nutrition studies conducted by TFTAK, you can sign up here.

TFTAK team – Raivo Vilu, Ranno Nahku, Taaniel Jakobson and Mariane Barrier, attended the biggest biotechnology fair BIO International Convention from 13 to 16 June 2022. The event took place in San Diego, USA, and brought together thousands of biotechnology companies.

TFTAK was one out of five Estonian companies (+ the Connected Health Cluster) who shared space in the amazing Estonian booth arranged by Enterprise Estonia. The other Estonian companies who attended the fair were:

• IKO Science OÜ

• Solis BioDyne

• Icosagen Cell Factory OÜ

• Bioatlas OÜ

• TBD-Biodiscovery OÜ

• Connected Health Cluster

BIO International Convention was a great opportunity for TFTAK to have one-to-one schedule and unscheduled meetings with possible partners. It was firstly interesting to see what other companies do. Secondly how things have changed during the last two years. And thirdly, where to put the scope.

TFTAK can now position itself more precisely and is highly motivated to continue to develop our optimization services.

Mr. Raivo Vilu importantly commented that it was a good and right decision to participate at the fair. Moreover, Ranno Nahku has confirmed that the companies’ representatives met on the spot, the discussions and information exchanged should lead to new partnerships with TFTAK.

In addition to meetings, the BIO International Convention program was extremely busy with panel discussions, presentations, and events!

In conclusion, TFTAK is looking forward to continuing discussions with newly established contacts. And above all, looking forward for the next, BIO International Convention 2023 meeting in Boston, USA!

TFTAK is glad to share good news!

Three food products developed in cooperation with TFTAK food scientists are awarded as best of the best at Eesti Parim Toiduaine 2022 competition (the biggest food competition in Estonia).

Happy to announce, products with the golden badge:

• The Best Non-alcoholic Drink in 2022 in Estonia is Värska Naturaal Plus goji-cranberry by Värska Originaal.

• The Best Milk Product and The Best Food With Added Value in 2022 in Estonia is TERE Hi!Fiber peach-turmeric AB-yoghurt with dietary fiber by Nordic Milk OÜ.

In addition, Tallinn City Government gave out special award to Thormi plant based burger patty.

Congratulations!

TFTAK has cooperates with these companies for years and it has been a great journey! We are delighted to see, that input from our scientists to product development has raised interest in consumers and food experts, and has brought these motivating awards!

The competition took place for the 28^th time. 161 products from 66 different companies got nominated. Read more information about Eesti Parim Toiduaine 2022 competition from Eesti Toiduliit.

Thank you teamTFTAK. We keep developing!

On December 27th the two-year project “Platform establishment for optimizing probiotic microbial consortia industrial production: CoFerm” was approved to get support from European Regional Development Fund.

The project aims to develop a platform that will allow the effective development of growth conditions and environments for consortia manufacturing. CoFerm focuses on human gut bacteria and demonstrates the production of 25 common human gut microbiota species. The technology will allow us to provide support for companies that develop microbial therapeutics.

Research on human gut communities has significantly intensified in recent years. Bringing the new generation probiotics to the market is an important next step and we are confident that our platform will help to make the industrial production processes more effective.

Our Microbial Bioprocessing experts have already started the work on the project. “We are excited to discover the secrets of inter species interactions and microbial behavior in communities.” said the lead of the project Anna Kattel.

The project is partially funded by Enterprise Estonia. Project 2014-2020.4.02.21-0406.

On July 13th XPRIZE announced the 28 semifinalist teams moving forward in XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion. The $15 million competition, launched in December 2020, is aimed at reinventing the food of future generations by boosting the production of structured chicken breast or fish fillet alternatives that replicate or outperform conventional chicken and fish in: access, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, nutrition and health, as well as taste and texture.

Selected by the competition’s panel of judges, the 28 semifinalist teams were chosen based on their technical submissions and represent 14 countries all over the world of which only 4 from Europe (Umiami from France, Revo Foods from Austria, Enough – no limits from UK and TFTAK from Estonia)

As the world grows in wealth, the availability of sustainable food can meet the rising demand that allow the next billion to live active and healthy lives. According to Dr. Sirli Rosenvald (TFTAK Team Lead in XPRIZE competition) team TFTAK is aiming to develop plant-based white fish analogue. “We are focusing on Nordic crops like oat, pea, and fava beans to develop advanced plant-based prototypes. As a result, our aim is to reduce the addition of unsustainable and allergenic sources like soy and gluten. In our laboratory we use a broad range of different methods like extrusion, fermentation, enzymatical treatments combined with analytics and sensory methodologies to achieve delicious, nutritious, and sustainable analogue product.”

Over the next year, TFTAK’s team is going to work closely with the competition’s ecosystem and sponsors, which include ASPIRE and The Tony Robbins Foundation, as they begin to develop the first iteration of our product. We are looking forward to end up in the Finalist teams which will be chosen based on the merit of the technical solution prototypes towards the end of 2022. The winning team will need to create at least twenty-five cuts of structured chicken breast or fish fillet analogs of 115 gram or 4 oz that replicate the sensory properties, versatility, and nutritional profile of conventional chicken or fish. Final judging will award one grand prize team a prize of $7 million.

Read more about our plant-based food development.