MICROBIOMES4SOY Infographic: Enhancing the Soya Bean Value Chain with Microbiome Innovations
Abstract
The MICROBIOMES4SOY project takes a close look at how microbiomes — especially in the soil — influence the entire food system, from crop health and food quality to animal and human well-being. After all, the journey of our food begins in the soil. A thriving soil microbiome boosts plant growth, improves yields, and reduces the need for pesticides. The result? More nutritious crops for both humans and animals — which in turn benefits the gut microbiomes of farmed fish and, ultimately, our own health. Check out our infographic to discover how healthy soils lead to better health, using soya beans as a case study. It shows how microbiomes at every stage of the food chain play a vital role in supporting our health.
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Funded by the European Union www.microbiomes4soy.eu Our website: Sustainable Food Systems Network: SFSN Microbiome Community @SciFoodHealth @Microbiomes4Soy Follow us! The MICROBIOMES4SOY project aims to leverage microbiome pathways that support a sustainable food system and more nutritious outcomes for human health. Using soya bean as a model crop system, the project investigates how soil microbiome interactions can enhance crop health and growth. Additionally, we seek to understand how consuming these improved crops may influence the human gut microbiome. These efforts help reduce the carbon footprint and improve resource management, paving the way for a sustainable future. By enhancing nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture, and improving food security, microbiome innovations in the soya value chain contribute to a healthier planet and population. With a better understanding of diet-microbiome linkages, we can develop recommendations for healthier diets. Replacing animal protein with plant-based alternatives can have beneficial impacts on the gut microbiome and on cardiovascular and metabolic health. (I.e., Carnitine is a component of red meat. It is converted by gut microbes into trimethylamine, a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Replacing meat with plant protein alleviates that risk.). Microbiome-based research can help to develop soya products that positively influence the human gut microbiome, supporting better nutrient extraction, immune function, and overall health. Improved human health: Linking soya bean to gut microbiome 5 By processing soya bean into fish feed formulation, aquaculture can be further advanced as a sustainable protein source. This contributes to more sustainable and efficient fish production, providing better protein alternatives for human health. Soya bean-based fish feed developed through the fermentation of soya beans, replaces animal-derived proteins with plant-based alternatives. This approach has the potential to support the gut microbiome of fish, promoting better health, growth, and overall product quality. Sustainable aquaculture: Innovative soya-based aquafeeds 4 By processing soyabean into diverse products, this creates new business opportunities and careers in the agrifood sector. Plant-based alternatives can contribute to sustainable protein sources, reducing the environmental impact associated with animal-based proteins, such as intensive natural resource use and higher greenhouse gas emissions. Soya bean can be fermented with specific microbes and processed into nutritious, plant-based protein alternatives and improved aquaculture feeds. SOY DRINK Nutritious & sustainable products: From Farm to Fork 3 Better agricultural practices can help farmers boost their yields and improve their livelihoods. Improved plant growth results in more nutrient-rich crops, leading to healthier food. Microbiome-informed practices can make soya plants more resilient, with stable yields even under stress conditions like drought, and improved disease resistance. Enhanced inoculants improve seed quality and soil health. Growing better soya beans: Plant-microbiome interactions 2 Microbial innovations are a promising approach to sustainable soil management. *Definition: Inoculants are beneficial microbes added to crop seeds or soil to support healthy plant growth. Providing research-based recommendations for specific cultivars, promoting broader adoption. Supporting sustainable soil management practices which result in reduced reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides to promote environmental sustainability. Advancing understanding of how agricultural management practices impact microbial effectiveness to improve crop yields. Introducing new microbial strains and strain combinations that improve plant growth. Microbial inoculant* innovations are advancing sustainable agriculture by: Microbes in the soil are essential for nutrient cycling, stress resilience, and disease resistance – all which support plant growth. It all starts with the soil: Plant-microbiome interactions 1 Linking microbiome research to soya bean production can support more sustainable and climate-smart farming practices, and ultimately contribute to healthier and more nutritious diets. Here's how these innovations are improving the soya bean value chain - from soil to final product. Microbiomes4Soy: How we are Enhancing the Soya Bean Value Chain with Microbiome Innovations