Fruselva Global is participating in the SERENIA project, a research and innovation initiative aimed at developing functional foods that may help reduce mild anxiety symptoms associated with occasional everyday stress.
The project, coordinated by Fruselva Global, is being developed in collaboration with Tecnalia and the Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (EHU), through the Neuropsychopharmacology research group of the Department of Pharmacology. This partnership brings together scientific knowledge, applied technology and industrial capabilities to advance new food solutions based on scientific evidence.
Anxiety and stress have become increasingly present in today’s society. Work pressure, hyperconnectivity, economic uncertainty and changes in lifestyle habits have increased the need to find new tools that help support emotional well-being. In this context, SERENIA focuses on functional nutrition as an innovative, accessible and complementary way to help manage mild episodes of anxiety associated with stress.
For Fruselva, this project represents an opportunity to continue exploring the potential of food as a tool for well-being. The company contributes its experience in the development, formulation and production of innovative food solutions, as well as its ability to transfer scientific knowledge into viable, safe food formats adapted to market needs.
The SERENIA project is working on the identification of natural bioactive compounds with the potential to modulate the stress response. These ingredients will be incorporated into food prototypes designed to ensure their stability, absorption and effectiveness. The formulations will then be evaluated through in vitro tests and preclinical studies, with the aim of selecting the solutions with the greatest technical, regulatory and commercial potential.
As part of this process, EHU leads the studies related to neuroscience, mental health and the preclinical validation of the selected compounds. Its participation will make it possible to analyse the biological mechanisms involved in the stress response and assess the potential of the natural ingredients incorporated into the new functional foods.
Tecnalia, meanwhile, contributes its expertise in applied research, biotechnology and technological development, strengthening the scientific and innovative approach of the project.
SERENIA reflects Fruselva’s commitment to food innovation, applied research and the development of solutions with a real impact on society. The initiative makes it possible to move towards new functional products that not only respond to current consumer demands, but also help open new avenues of collaboration between business, science and technology.
The SERENIA project (CPP2024-011578) is funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), the State Research Agency (AEI) (10.13039/501100011033) and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).