Plant-derived proteins and their interactions with microorganisms: interactions, applications, and innovationsShow others and affiliations
2026 (English)In: Plant molecular farming: revolutionizing agriculture through innovation and applications / [ed] Rajarshi Kumar Gaur, Ramwant Gupta; Dinesh Yadav; Benedicte Riber Albrectsen, Singapore: Springer, 2026, p. 49-78Chapter in book (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
Plant-derived proteins have emerged as sustainable and nutritionally valuable alternatives to animal-based proteins, gaining increasing attention for their roles in health, food security, and industrial applications. A growing area of research focuses on the intricate interactions between plant proteins and microorganisms, which significantly influence the structural, functional, and bioactive properties of these proteins. Microbial fermentation, enzymatic processing, and co-culturing techniques can enhance the digestibility, amino acid profile, and nutritional quality of plant proteins while reducing anti-nutritional factors such as phytates and tannins. Various microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus spp., and fungi like Aspergillus and Rhizopus, play pivotal roles in these transformations. These interactions also lead to the generation of bioactive peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, adding functional value to plant proteins in food and pharmaceutical formulations. In agriculture, plant-microbe interactions influence protein biosynthesis, stress resistance, and nutrient cycling, contributing to plant health and productivity. Technological innovations, such as synthetic biology and genome-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9, are being applied to engineer both microbial strains and plant genomes, optimizing protein expression and microbial synergy for targeted outcomes. These advances pave the way for novel applications in the development of high-protein functional foods, plant-based meat alternatives, biostimulants, and therapeutic compounds. This chapter highlights the dynamic interplay between plant proteins and microbes, showcasing the vast potential of their interactions in food technology, agriculture, and biotechnology. Continued interdisciplinary research is essential to fully harness these biological relationships for sustainable development and innovation in protein-based solutions.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Singapore: Springer, 2026. p. 49-78
Keywords [en]
CRISPR-CAS, Fermentation, Genetic engineering, Microorganisms, Plant-derived proteins
National Category
Biochemistry Molecular Biology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-253053DOI: 10.1007/978-981-95-3823-2_2Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105037785896ISBN: 9789819538232 (electronic)ISBN: 9789819538225 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-253053DiVA, id: diva2:2059166
2026-05-112026-05-112026-05-13Bibliographically approved