Publisher: Department of Science and Technology Research

Date: March 20, 2025

On March 14, the kickoff meeting and implementation plan demonstration for the Quality Degradation Mechanism and Regulation in Plant-Based Food Processing project, a key initiative under the 14th Five-Year Plan National Key Research and Development Program, took place in Guangzhou. Led by Professor Bai Weibin, Vice Dean of the College of Life Science and Technology at Jinan University, this project is a collaborative effort involving several prestigious institutions, including China Agricultural University, Northwest A&F University, Nanchang University, the Institute of Agricultural Quality Standards and Testing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Guangdong Lobake Company, with a total national funding of 20 million yuan.

(At the kickoff meeting)

The meeting was attended by notable figures including Wang Jun, Director of the Industrial Science and Technology Department at the China Rural Technology Development Center under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Liu Zhonghua, a First-level Researcher from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Key representatives from Jinan University, such as Professor Hong An, Vice President, and Professor Zhou Qinghua, Dean of the College of Life Science and Technology, also participated, alongside over 40 attendees from various research institutions and universities.

Professor Zhou Qinghua presided over the project launch meeting, emphasizing the collaboration and commitment needed to ensure the project's success. In his opening remarks, Professor Hong An highlighted Jinan University's interdisciplinary advantages and the importance of listening to expert suggestions to optimize the implementation plan. He stressed the need for standardized fund management and collective cooperation among member units to facilitate high-quality and efficient project completion.

Liu Zhonghua conveyed expectations from the Guangdong Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, urging the project team to enhance their political awareness and sense of responsibility. He called for a focus on key issues, emphasizing scientific research and collaborative innovation, while underlining the importance of managing the project rigorously.

Wang Jun provided an overview of project management expectations, underscoring adherence to national standards and the establishment of effective management systems to supervise fund utilization. Liu Shuxun then conducted a training session on project management, focusing on implementation strategies, special management requirements, and the latest management policies.

Professor Bai Weibin delivered a comprehensive report on the project execution and management plan, detailing the project's background, objectives, research content, technical approach, task division, assessment indicators, schedule, and budget. He clarified the implementation measures and outlined expected outcomes, which guide the research direction of the project.

The subsequent demonstration meeting saw contributions from project leaders across participating institutions. Reports highlighted the division of research objectives, content setting, task progress, and budget allocation for each component of the project. The expert group present provided feedback on the feasibility of the plans, technical roadmaps, and the collaborative research efforts among different units. They emphasized the project's alignment with national needs and its technical relevance, addressing the critical issues surrounding quality degradation in plant-based food processing.

(Project leaders are presenting their reports.)

(The expert panel provide feedback)

The kickoff meeting marks the official commencement of the Quality Degradation Mechanism and Regulation in Plant-Based Food Processing project, setting the stage for impactful research and development in the field. The project aims to reveal underlying mechanisms of quality deterioration and to propose effective regulatory strategies, contributing valuable insights to the agricultural and food processing sectors.