Increasing Utilization of Food Processing Side Streams Key to Improving Health and Sustaining Production
September 13, 2012- Winnipeg, Manitoba- Manitoba researchers are meeting this week in Brussels, Belgium with research and industry partners from Europe, Africa and India to develop new ways of using the substantial side streams from fish and oil seed processing. The Manitoba Agri-Health Research Network Inc (MAHRN) is part of a three year, EUR 4 million project called APROPOS (Added value from high protein and high oil containing industrial co-streams). Funded by the European Commission, APROPOS seeks to develop methods of ecologically, effectively and economically reusing protein- and oil-rich side streams suitable for food, as dietary supplements and in skin care products.
According to Lee Anne Murphy, Executive Director of MAHRN, “Side streams- the material that remains once the primary food product has been processed- from the food processing industry can be excellent sources of proteins and healthy oils for further use in foods and cosmetics. However, at the moment these side streams are mainly used as animal feed, for bioenergy, or disposed of as waste.” Murphy says the project partners believe the competitiveness of small and medium food processing enterprises (SME) can be enhanced and expanded by developing additional value added production units located near sites of primary production and processing. She indicates Manitoba researchers are increasingly showing the economic and environmental benefits of biorefining or maximum utilization of raw materials. “Our expertise in working with oilseeds, legumes and small grains is complimented in the project by our project partners involved in fish processing,” she says.
MAHRN members are involved in several aspects of APROPOS including assessing the safety and efficacy of protein rich fractions for potential use in food and skin care applications, assessment of the value chain opportunities for selected technologies and transfer of the selected technologies to the SME sector in Europe, India and Africa. Murphy points out the knowledge gained in APROPOS will be applied to the Canadian Climate Advantage Diet (CCAD), a Manitoba lead initiative to improve health by increasing the consumption of Canadian grown and processed products with demonstrated health benefits.
More information on APROPOS is available at: www.euapropos.eu
About MAHRN: MAHRN members assess plant and animal-based bioactive compounds from field to market. Its world class facilities include the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM); Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals (RCFFN) and Food Development Centre (FDC). www.mahrn.ca
For further information, please contact:
Lee Anne Murphy, PhD
(204) 228-3971
lam@mahrn.ca