Raisio plc's Research Foundation distributed 2022 postgraduate scholarships
Press Release, December 20, 2021
Raisio plc’s Research Foundation supports scientific research primarily related to the development of foods, food ingredients and their production methods. The Research Foundation also supports research related to safety of food products and food ingredients and commercialization of food products.
In recent years, the Foundation has executed its activity by awarding personal salary grants for postgraduate studies aiming at a doctoral degree. In addition, the foundation organizes science seminars and awards recognition scholarships to well executed master's theses.
At its meeting held on November 29, 2021, the Board of Directors of Raisio plc's Research Foundation has decided to award a total of EUR 82,800 in post graduate research grants for 2022. The grants are intended as a salary grant for a doctoral student. A doctoral student whose PhD topic is once awarded with a research grant of the Foundation has the opportunity to receive a salary grant for a maximum of four years, provided that the studies proceed according to plans. Continued postgraduate grants are decided annually on the basis of a separate application.
Based on the public grant application process held in October 2021, 13 grant applications were submitted to the Foundation within the deadline. The total amount of funding requested was € 276,668.
The grants for 2022 were distributed as follows:
Katja Kantanen, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki
Dissertation title: Reduction of oligosaccharides from meat analogues utilizing fermentation, germination and enzymatic treatment
The dissertation focuses on the effects of fermentation, germination and enzymatic treatment of faba bean on high moisture extrusion and on the content of oligosaccharides like raffinose, stachyose and verbascose and on the structure, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of meat analogues.
Anton Örn, Laboratory for Molecular Research and Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University
Dissertation title: Synthesis of rare sugars through site-selective epimerization
The thesis work aims to develop a cost effective production method for psicose that is based on the site-selective catalytic epimerization of fructose. The goal can be achieved by studying the materials and mechanisms of the required multiphase catalytic systems in detail.
Enni Mannila, Food Chemistry and Food Development, Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku
Title of the PhD work: Oats in a gluten-deficient diet – metabolic, microbiomic and postprandial responses in metabolically challenges volunteers.
The PhD work studies effects of long-term oat consumption on blood count and metabolic products in blood circulation, perceived gut well-being, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, plasma antioxidative capacity, inflammation markers and changes in postprandial responses.
Ingmar Wester, representative, Raisio plc's Research Foundation, tel. +358 50 601 32
RAISIO PLC
Raisio’s purpose is to make food which is good for Health, Heart and Earth. Our growth drivers and focus areas are Benecol® and plant stanol ester solutions, plant based foods, branded oat products for consumers and oat as raw material for industry. Our strong brands include for example, Benecol®, Beanit®, Elovena®, Sunnuntai®, Torino® and Benella®. In our products the focus is on well-being, health, good taste and responsibility. Raisio's values − courage, fairness and drive − guide us towards our targets. Raisio’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. In 2020, the Group’s net sales totaled EUR 234 million and EBIT was EUR 28 million. Raisio employs about 400 people. www.raisio.com.