Johan Johansen
Head of Department/Head of Research
Authors
Zhe Yu Yihui Du Qianwen Ding Qiang Hao Hongwei Yang Kerou Shi Chao Ran Yalin Yang Chen Wang Johan Johansen Giovanna Ottaviani Aalmo Zhen Zhang Zhigang ZhouAbstract
Global food security demands sustainable alternatives to the conventional feed ingredient wheat. Nutrient-dense diploid potatoes (HQP) represent candidates due to their enriched phytochemical profiles, including high levels of vitamin C and lutein. However, their dietary utilization is constrained by endogenous anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), primarily solanine and trypsin inhibitors. Using a zebrafish model, we demonstrate that these ANFs trigger intestinal dysbiosis and an oxidative-inflammatory response. Mechanistically, this adverse gut environment suppresses the mTOR pathway, as evidenced by reduced phosphorylation of S6K1 and 4E-BP1, ultimately leading to growth depression. To address this toxicological barrier, we integrated genetic selection (diploid HQP) with thermal processing (steam-cooking). Quantitative analysis revealed that while thermal processing effectively reduced ANF concentrations to physiologically safe levels, the HQP matrix retained significantly higher residual concentrations of vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin compared to conventional tetraploid (C88) and wheat-based diets. Mechanistically, protein-level evidence confirmed that this processed HQP formulation promoted the total NRF2 and suppressed NF-κB P65 accumulation. This metabolic shift attenuated inflammation, reactivated mTOR signaling, and subsequently enhanced growth performance and digestive capacity. Our findings establish a mechanistic framework demonstrating how integrated genomic design and processing strategies facilitate the functional utilization of high-phytochemical crops in sustainable food systems.
Abstract
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Authors
Thierry Chopin Barry Allen Costa-Pierce Max Troell Catriona L. Hurd Mark John Costello Steven Backman Alejandro H. Buschmann Russell Cuhel Carlos M. Duarte Fredrik Gröndahl Kevin Heasman Ricardo J. Haroun Johan Johansen Alexander Oliver Jüterbock Mitchell Lench Scott Lindell Henrik Pavia Aurora M. Ricart Kristina S. Sundell Charles YarishAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Division of Food Production and Society
OceanGreen: Maximizing Economic Value through Restored Kelp Forests and Sustainable Fisheries
The OceanGreen project aims to restore and protect kelp forests along the Norwegian coast, develop sea urchin removal technologies, and create commercially viable products from harvested sea urchins. It focuses on kelp forest restoration, scalable technologies, sea urchin utilisation, collaboration, and coastal community revitalisation. Ava Ocean is the project owner, you'll find a link to their their project-site on the left side of this page.
Division of Food Production and Society
FULCRUM – Transforming Food Systems Through Bioeconomy
FULCRUM envisions a world where circular and just bioeconomy strategies contribute to sustainable food system transformation. By engaging different actors in co-designing bioeconomy strategies in five different regions across Europe, FULCRUM connects bottom-up innovation with actionable and scalable policy recommendations for living and vibrant land and seascapes.
Division of Food Production and Society
AquaUP - Aquafeed Upgraded: Enhancing Immune Function of Fish with Seaweed-modified Functional Compounds
The aquaculture industry is anticipating intensive production growth to meet future food demand. Yet, this growth is constrained by a number of challenges, not least including disease spread and use of antibiotics and chemicals to combat or reduce disease outbreaks.