Contact
Georges Lamborelle
Station manager of Matís Aquaculture Research Station
georges@matis.is
This report is closed.
Author: Kristín Edda Gylfadóttir
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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Contact
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.
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Contact
Georges Lamborelle
Station manager of Matís Aquaculture Research Station
georges@matis.is
This report is closed.
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Capelin (Mallotus villosus) is both an important commercial and ecological resource of the North Atlantic subpolar region. Two decades ago, the stock distribution around Iceland drastically changed. During autumn, which corresponds to the main feeding period, the capelin stock was previously located between the North of Iceland and the Jan Mayen area. Since the beginning of 2000s, the feeding aggregation has been located at the east coast of Greenland, inducing slight changes in the timing and route of the capelin spawning migration along the Icelandic shelf, and therefore in the catches. Changes in the distribution of capelin around Iceland made it both more difficult and expensive to assess the distribution of the stock with current survey methods. Here, we compare environmental DNA (eDNA) data to the acoustic data collected during the autumn monitoring survey, which leads to a preliminary estimate of the stock size. eDNA samples were collected at five different depths and were analyzed both horizontally across latitudes and longitudes and vertically across depth profiles. We detected eDNA in most of the locations where acoustic data detected capelin. Generalized linear models suggested that eDNA concentrations can be used as a proxy for the detection and quantification of capelin. The horizontal distribution of eDNA observed during both years corresponds with the horizontal distribution of capelin registered with the acoustic approach, while the vertical distribution indicates both effects of oceanic currents and diel vertical migration on eDNA detection and quantification.
Contact
Anna Berg Samúelsdóttir
Project Manager
annab@matis.is
The main goal of the project "Microbes for the enrichment of aquaculture sludge" was to develop a method for treating side streams from aquaculture (sludge) with microorganisms so that the sludge can be used as fertilizer for agriculture.
Considering the rapid growth of aquaculture in Iceland, it is crucial for the sustainability of the industry to find solutions for side currents and thus strengthen the circular economy. The implementation of solutions that promote the use of side streams, and promote circulation, are in line with the United Nations' goals for sustainable development.
The legal framework for the use of fish farm sludge as fertilizer is both extensive and in parts quite complex, i.e. what is allowed and who grants permission. As an example of the requirements for using sludge as fertilizer, sludge must be applied to the pasture before December 1st if the area is to be used for grazing, animals can then be grazed on the area 5 months later or on April 1st at the earliest.
In the project, work was done to enrich nitrate in the sludge with microorganisms to increase the possibility of using the sludge as a fertilizer. An enrichment culture was established with the aim of enriching ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the sludge. A chemical analysis of the sludge was also carried out to assess its nutrient content. The results of chemical measurements indicate that sludge can be ideal as a supplement or additive to, for example, biodegradable livestock manure. It is important to continue with a project that contributes to increasing the value of by-products such as sludge in order to keep nutrients within the circular economy. The use of sludge as fertilizer is beneficial for both aquaculture companies and Icelandic agriculture.
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The primary objective of the project „Microorganisms for aquaculture sludge enrichment“ was to develop a method for treating side streams from aquaculture (sludge) using microorganisms, thereby rendering the sludge suitable for use as agricultural fertilizer.
Given the rapid expansion of aquaculture in Iceland, finding solutions for side streams is imperative to sustain the industry and enhance circular economy practices. Implementing solutions that encourage side stream utilization aligns with the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
The legal landscape for utilizing fish farm sludge as fertilizer is extensive and, in certain aspects, complex, delineating what is permissible and who grants permission. For instance, applying sludge to pasture for grazing requires adherence to specific timelines, such as application before December 1st, with grazing permitted no earlier than 5 months later or on April 1st.
The project focused on enriching the sludge's nitrogen content with microorganisms. An enrichment culture was established to promote ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the sludge, increasing its potential as a fertilizer. Chemical analysis of the sludge was conducted to evaluate its nutrient content. The results indicate that the sludge can serve as an ideal supplement or additive, for instance, with biodegradable livestock manure. Continuing projects that enhance the value of like sludge is crucial for maintaining nutrient cycles within the circular economy. The use of sludge as fertilizer is mutually beneficial for both aquaculture companies and Icelandic agriculture.
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Contact
Elísabet Eik Guðmundsdóttir
Project Manager
elisabet@matis.is
The sampling period covered by this report is from November 1, 2022 – October 31, 2023. A total of 328 samples were taken during the period, of which 306 were for research within the EUROPLANET collaboration, 21 for the mapping of marine microbes in Iceland and one for the CAZyme-X project.
Contact
Guðjón Þorkelsson
Strategic Scientist
gudjon.thorkelsson@matis.is
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 15-point fat evaluation of lamb carcasses on fat in the back muscle and its taste and texture. A small relationship was found between fat categories in the European assessment and fat in spinal muscles and fat explosion by visual assessment. Fat groups had rather little effect on taste and texture. Spinal muscles in fat category 3+ were significantly softer, more tender and juicier than from other categories. Spinal muscles from fat group 2- were the least tender and the least juicy of all the groups in the experiment. It is interesting that out of about 14.5% of carcasses of lambs slaughtered in the second slaughter at the experimental farm LBHÍ went to the European subcategory 3+. There are possibly opportunities to revise the fat classification and process this meat and sell it as a special quality product. Little fat was measured in spinal muscles or in the range 1.1% – 3.6% and on average 1.92%. The reason may be the young age at slaughter, the Icelandic sheep breed and possibly breeding for a lot of muscle and lean meat.
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The effects of subclasses of EU fat classification of lamb carcasses on chemical fat, visual marbling scores and eating quality of loin muscle (m. longissimus dorsi) were studied. Correlation coefficients between fat classes, chemical fat content and marbling scores were low. The only effects of fat classes on eating quality were that class 2- had the least tender and juicy loin muscles and class 3+ loin muscles were the softest, most tender and juicy. 14,5% of the 317 carcasses of the lambs slaughtered were classified as 3+ according to the EU guidelines. Maybe there is an opportunity to review the rules in Iceland and separate the carcasses with the higher quality meat and market them as such. Intramuscular fat was low or from 1.1% – 3.9% and averaging 1.92%. The reasons may be young age at slaughter, the Icelandic sheep breed and maybe breeding for leaner meat.