As CSIR-CFTRI enters its 75th year of remarkable contributions to Food Science and Technology in India, we are commemorating this milestone with a series of scientific and academic events throughout the year. One of the flagship events is the National Symposium on Plant Proteins: Structure-Function, Human Nutrition, and Technological Advances, scheduled to take place at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, on July 25, 2025.

Currently, India's dietary protein intake is dependent mainly on cereals such as wheat and rice, which contribute to nearly 60% of the total crop production and yield approximately 22.6 million metric tons (MMT) of protein. However, the protein quality of cereals-especially in terms of essential amino acids (EAAs)-is relatively poor compared to animal-based sources. This heavy reliance has led to widespread protein deficiency, affecting an estimated 13 to 37.3% of the population across various age groups.

To bridge this nutritional gap, there is a growing interest in alternative protein sources such as legumes, mushrooms, and single-cell proteins derived from microalgae, yeast, and bacteria.

This symposium aims to bring together leading scientists, technologists, industry professionals, and young researchers to share knowledge and explore the current landscape, challenges, and future directions in plant protein research. The symposium will focus on recent advancements in plant proteins, covering a range of topics including:

• Structure-function relationships of plant proteins
• Alternative or smart proteins
• Therapeutic proteins
• Protein-energy malnutrition
• Advanced technological solutions for large-scale protein production

We cordially invite students, academicians, industry experts, and researchers to participate in the symposium and contribute to its success actively.