Work Plan
WORK PACKAGE 1 - Preparation phase and Definition of experimental protocols
WP1 will build the backbone of the SUMINAPP project through the preparation of the trace mineral sources, the calibration of the studies’ architecture and the implementation of the experimental protocols and the sample collection strategy to drive the work in the subsequent WPs.
WORK PACKAGE 2 - Sample collection
WP2 will implement the set of animal studies according to experimental protocols and places which have been defined in WP1. The main objective in WP2 is to actually collect the proper volume of samples (based on individual species-specific sample collection strategy) which comply with the protocols and specifications defined in WP1. The samples will be selected during this WP2 in order to be used respectively in the subsequent WPs (3 to 5).
WORK PACKAGE 3 - Assessment of animal performance and mineral status
The objective of WP3 is to analyse the effects of the dietary treatments applied in WP2 on animal performance and mineral status. As side findings, the analytical work in WP3 is expected to contribute to validate the interest for finer powders in the nutrition of food producing animals with bioavailability issues (namely aquatic species and young piglets).
WORK PACKAGE 4 - Biomarker tests for the assessment of animal health
The objective of WP4 is to analyse the effects of the dietary treatments applied in WP2 on animal health (intestinal health, immune system activation, oxidative status and antimicrobial resistance genes expression in microbiota). The second goal is to validate a non-invasive biomarker tests to evaluate the intestine inflammation on several species.
WORK PACKAGE 5 - Assessment of terrestrial and aquatic ecotoxicity
The objective of WP5 is to analyse the effects of the dietary treatments applied in WP2 on the chemical distribution, i.e. speciation, of Cu/Zn in animal wastes and, thereafter, on the potential ecotoxicity of Cu/Zn in the receiving environment. The tests in the WP will inform toxicity models for the various environments, in order to perform environmental assessments of animal production systems featuring metal supplements, as well as the potential agricultural recycling of metal-containing animal wastes, via Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
WORK PACKAGE 6 - Validation of the guidelines for the optimal dosage of Cu/Zn supplementation
WP6 will centralize the knowledge accumulated in the preceding WPs to build the guidelines for optimal dietary Cu/Zn dosages and make some knowledge available in an open access website From month 22, WP6 will focus combine the outcomes and values from the preceding analytical WPs, namely WP3, WP4 and WP5. In WP6, these outcomes will be crossed and reviewed by the three partners with the view to define the best trade-offs of Zn and Cu supplementation in a diet as regards animal performance, animal health, ecotoxicity, EU regulation and official scientific recommendations.
This combination of values – per species, stage of development and per selected source of Zn and Cu – will lead to the completion of the value grid in the dose calculation guide.
At the end of WP6, the SUMINAPP open access data website will already present scientific findings and will later integrate new research data so that the interest for SUMINAPP related products and services will continue in the following months.
WORK PACKAGE 7 - Project management and management of innovation activities
WP7 tasks aim to ensure that the collaboration between the three partners remains solid, based on mutual trust and a sense of innovation. It also aims to prepare for the after-project period with the elaboration of a plan for the dissemination and the use of the project results.