Contact
Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir
Project Manager
kolbrun.sveinsdottir@matis.is
This report is closed.
Author: Kristín Edda Gylfadóttir
Contact
Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir
Project Manager
kolbrun.sveinsdottir@matis.is
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Contact
Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir
Project Manager
kolbrun.sveinsdottir@matis.is
This report is closed.
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Contact
Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir
Project Manager
kolbrun.sveinsdottir@matis.is
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Contact
Georges Lamborelle
Station manager of Matís Aquaculture Research Station
georges@matis.is
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Georges Lamborelle
Station manager of Matís Aquaculture Research Station
georges@matis.is
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Contact
Sophie Jensen
Project Manager
sophie.jensen@matis.is
This report summarizes the results of the monitoring of undesirable substances in the edible part of seafood in 2023. The monitoring began in 2003 with the assistance of the then Ministry of Maritime Affairs, now the Food Ministry, and saw Matís ohf. on collecting data and issuing reports for this systematic monitoring in the period 2003-2012. Due to the lack of funding for this monitoring project, this important data collection as well as the publication of the results was paused in the period 2013-2016. The project started again in March 2017, but due to a lack of funds, it now only covers the monitoring of undesirable substances in the edible part of seafood from the resource intended for human consumption, and not fishmeal and fish oil for feed. For the same reason, chemical analyzes of PAH and PBDE substances are no longer carried out. In 2023, measurements of PFAS substances were added.
The aim of the project is to demonstrate the status of Icelandic seafood in terms of safety and wholesomeness, and that the data can be used in the preparation of food risk assessments to ensure the interests of consumers and public health. The project builds a knowledge base on the amount of unwanted substances in economically important species and marine products, it is defined as a long-term project where expansion and revision are constantly necessary.
In general, the results obtained in 2023 were consistent with previous results from 2003 to 2012 as well as 2017 to 2022. The results showed that Icelandic seafood contains insignificant amounts of persistent organic substances such as dioxins, PCBs and pesticides. in this report, the European Union (EU) maximum levels for dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) in food according to Regulation no. 2023/915 used to assess how Icelandic seafood meets EU requirements. The results of the year 2023 show that all samples of marine products for human consumption were below the EU maximum values for persistent organic substances and heavy metals. The concentration of so-called ICES6-PCB substances was found to be low in the edible part of seafood, compared to the EU maximum value according to regulation no. 2023/915. Likewise, the results showed that the concentration of heavy metals, eg cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in Icelandic seafood was always below the EU maximum values. The concentration of PFAS was below the EU maximum value, for all samples except cod roe.
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Contact
Sæmundur Sveinsson
Research Group Leader
saemundurs@matis.is
Objective
Sidalcea is a genus of flowering plants restricted to the west coast of North America, commonly known as checkermallows. Remarkably, of the ~ 30 recognized species, 16 are of conservation concern (vulnerable, imperiled or critically imperiled). To facilitate biological studies in this genus, and in the wider Malvaceae, we have sequenced the whole plastid genome of Sidalcea hendersonii. This will allow us both to check those regions already developed as general Malvaceae markers in a previous study, and to search for new regions.
Results
By comparing the Sidalcea genome to that of Althaea, we have identified a hypervariable approximately 1 kb region in the short single copy region. This region shows promise for examining phylogeographic patterns, hybridization and haplotype diversity. Remarkably, considering the conservation of plastome architecture between Sidalcea and Althaea, the former has a 237 bp deletion in the otherwise highly conserved inverted repeat region. Newly designed primers provide a PCR assay to determine the presence of this indel across the Malvaceae. Screening of previously designed chloroplast microsatellite markers indicates two markers with variation within S. hendersonii that would be useful in future population conservation genetics.
Contact
Björn Þór Aðalsteinsson
Project Manager
bjornth@matis.is
Chapter in Thermophilic Anaerobes (pp.3-19):
In this chapter, the main habitats of thermophiles, their discovery, and ecology are discussed. The focus of the discussion is on natural habitats associated with geothermal activity, their geological origin, and characteristics of different geothermal surface manifestations, including mud pools, solfatara fields, alkaline hot springs, and warm springs. The ecological discussion is primarily focused on strategies that thermophiles utilize to obtain energy.
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Eva Margrét Jónudóttir
Project Manager
evamargret@matis.is
The main goal of the project "Value addition of side products from horticulture" was to find ways to use side products from horticulture production for increased value creation and also to reduce waste in vegetable production. Different by-products were examined, including what falls from the defoliation of tomato and cucumber plants, leaves from outdoor vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli, as well as leaves and stems from rose cultivation. The basis for improved utilization of secondary products and excess quantities of potatoes and carrots through biomass processing and product development was also examined. It was examined whether the consumption of by-products was safe with appropriate risk analysis and chemical measurements, and the main information on possible negative health effects was compiled.
Information on the chemical content of different by-products is now available. A significant number of samples reached the limit for several additives, viz. 15% of the nutritional reference value (NV), and thus there is a possibility of labeling the relevant supplement on the packaging of by-products if they are sold directly as food. Biomass processing of second class potatoes and beets was tested and the total amount of polyphenols as well as antioxidant activity was investigated. The total amount of polyphenols and antioxidant activity were studied in leaves and branches of cauliflower, broccoli, tomato, cucumber and roses. The total amount of polyphenols was high in extracts of rose petals and branches as well as antioxidant activity and "anti-aging" activity. Subsequently, it was decided to test its use as an ingredient in skin care products. The processing characteristics of yellow beets were examined in terms of shelf life and sensory aspects. Two different recipes of spice mixes were developed that included both side products from cauliflower and broccoli cultivation. Products from biomass processing such as starch and fiber were tested in the recipes of the spice mixture with reasonable results. There can be various shortcomings in the use of horticultural by-products in food, and several things must be considered. The main hazards associated with the consumption of vegetables and their by-products can be classified into microbial contamination, unwanted substances and foreign bodies.