Increasing the shelf life (commercial validity) of food products, the valorization of by-products and the use of sustainable production and consumption processes are some of the current challenges faced by the Food Industry. It was in this context that "Bísaro - Salsicharia Tradicional Lda." Company, headquartered in Gimonde (Bragança) and specialized in the production and processing of meat products from Bísaro pork, has challenged us to develop Alheiras with an extended shelf life. Thus, motivated by this challenge and aware of the aforementioned guidelines to be followed by the Food Industry, this project aims to develop an active edible coating based on whey proteins, a by-product of the cheese industry, and incorporating milk proteins derived peptides that will act as antimicrobial agents. In this way, the application of this type of active edible coating is expected not only to increase the microbiological safety of the product, but also life to avoid economic losses and to expand the product into new international markets, including overseas. In addition, it is important to highlight that this project also aims at the valorization of a by-product of the cheese industry, being still in line with the strategy of applying sustainable and ecological production processes.

This project contemplates:
- Production of different peptides derived from milk proteins with known (or potential) antimicrobial properties;
- In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the produced peptides against pathogens susceptible to contaminate Alheiras;
- Production and characterization of edible coating formulations;
- Incorporation of the antimicrobial peptide into the edible coating and in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the active edible coating;
- Application and validation in the final product (food product-coating system) by assessing the increase Alheira shelf life.

Although small and young, the team has the know-how and resources needed to successfully achieve the project objectives, i.e. incorporates people with recognized capabilities in peptide synthesis, microbiological assays, and application of peptides to (bio)-polymers. Last but not least, the driving force behind this challenge is the first company certified by IFS Food in Trás-os-Montes (doc1.pdf), knowing that in Portugal there are only about 100 certified companies according to this demanding standard, which proves the company awareness towards safe, healthy and sustainable food products.

Altogether, this project presents a high potential with direct financial benefits in the development of a new product and its consequent valorization and competitiveness in new markets.