Exciting work is taking place in the lab of our project partner Møreforsking! Currently, they are evaluating the bioavailability of krill protein, a byproduct of krill oil extraction, after its incorporation into different food matrices. This study, which is part of the LIKE-A-PRO project, focuses on assessing the protein quality and its potential as a source of essential amino acids and bioactive peptides for human nutrition.

In the lab they have been simulating human digestion of various food products and protein ingredients—comparing krill, plant-based proteins, and foods without added protein. Møreforsking’s work involves multiple steps: mimicking digestion, thoroughly characterizing the digestates, and testing their passage through the intestinal barrier using different models. The Møreforsking team is utilizing both the EFSA-approved Caco-2 cellular model and 3D-printed human intestinal tissue from Mattek.

With the efforts of Møreforsking researchers and several external collaborators, the LIKE-A-PRO project aims to deepen our understanding of how krill consumption could impact human nutrition and health.

At the 9th International Conference on Food Digestion (ICFD2026) in Gdańsk, Poland, from May 19-21, 2026 Møreforsking will share their preliminary findings.

Bioavailability is a key factor in determining the true effects of diets and food components on health, guiding us toward healthier and more sustainable eating habits. Accurate testing is essential—without it, we risk overestimating nutritional adequacy, especially at a time when sustainable change in our food systems is critical.

Carrying out simulated in vitro digestion according to INFOGEST at Mørelab. Photo credit: Tone Molnes.

Photo Credit: Tone Molnes.

With the digestates. Photo Credit: Tone Molnes.