News

The opportunities are in the countryside

All this week, three Matís employees will be traveling around the country. The opportunities are certainly there in the countryside in terms of food and biochemical production.

The employees will meet small and large parties in food production and will be at their fingertips and give advice regarding the various issues related to food production, especially small food production.

Draft agenda:

  • Monday 13 May - Skagafjörður, Siglufjörður, Ólafsfjörður and Akureyri
  • Tuesday 14 May - Akureyri, Svalbarðseyri, Laugar, Húsavík, Kópasker, Raufarhöfn
  • Wednesday 15 May - Raufarhöfn
  • Thursday 16 May - Egilsstaðir and other places in East Iceland / Eastfjords
  • Friday 17 May - East Fjords

All those who are interested in food production are encouraged to contact these Matís employees.

For further information Haraldur Hallgrímsson at 858-5054.

News

Vacancy for secretary

There is a vacancy for a secretary to work with a so-called "Resident Twinning Advisor (RTA)" in a foreign project.

The project is called "Institutional and laboratory capacity building to ensure food safety" and will last for 12 months. The seat will be at Matís ohf. In Reykjavík and the work will mainly consist of assisting RTA in coordinating the visits of German experts to Matís and MAST (Matvælastofnun). Writing skills and good skills in German, Icelandic and English are required. This is a full time job.

Main projects:

  • Assist RTA in the administration and organization of the project as a whole
  • Organize trips of RTA and German experts
  • Language assistance and translations by RTA and German experts
  • Organization of meetings and conferences
  • Summary of data and report writing
  • Translations (Icelandic / English, English / Icelandic)

Further information:

http://www.eurojobs.com

News

CEO of PepsiCo on his way to Iceland

Dr. Gregory L. Yep, Senior Vice President of PepsiCo (Senior Vice President, PepsiCo R&D), will give a lecture at Matís' breakfast meeting at Hilton on June 4.

See more advertisement from Matís. Take the morning off June 4th!

This is an open meeting and admission is free!

More later than information provides Steinar B. Aðalbjörnsson, marketing director of Matís

News

What can organic matter do for us?

On the 15th of May, Ásta María Einarsdóttir, master's student in food science and Sigrún Mjöll Halldórsdóttir, doctoral student in food science, will give lectures on research and development of food substances from food.

Kl. 15:00 - 15:30
Ásta María Einarsdóttir gives a talk on Fucoidan from brown algae 

Kl. 15: 30-16: 00
Sigrún Mjöll Halldórsdóttir gives a talk on the biomedical use of cod trypsin 

Ásta María will discuss the topic fucoidan which is a polysaccharide from the cell walls of brown algae that has shown diverse bioactivity in recent studies. The lecture will review the results of a new review article where the main research on the bioactivity of fucoidan is presented (Vo TS and Kim SK (2013). "Fucoidans as a natural bioactive ingredient for functional foods." Journal of Functional Foods 5 (1): 16-27). The effects of fucoidan on blood clotting factors, the effects of fucoidan on viruses, tumors and inflammation as well as the antioxidant activity of fucoidan will be discussed.

Sigrún Mjöll talks about cod trypsin and its uses in biomedicine. The lecture will discuss the cod enzymes based on a new review article (Gudmundsdottir A, Hilmarsson H and Stefansson B (2013). "Review Article - Potential Use of Atlantic Cod Trypsin in Biomedicine".  BioMed Research International, published online http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/749078). Studies show that cod trypsin has a variety of effects, for example against various viruses, skin problems and wounds. Cod trypsin is isolated from by-products in fish processing and its processing promotes the full utilization of cod. There are already various products on the market that contain cod enzymes under the name Penzyme®. 

The lectures will be held in Matís' premises at Vínlandsleið 12, on the top floor of hall 311 (Esja) from 3 pm to 4 pm, on Wednesday 15 May (fuciodan at 3 pm and cod trypsin at 3:30 pm).

Everyone welcome!

News

Jón Gerald Sullenberg in Kosti is welcome to do business with Matís

Due to an article published in Morgunblaðið, where the owner of Kost discusses food control in Iceland, Matís wants to state the following:

Food control in Iceland is in the hands of the Municipal Health Inspectorate (HES). Supervision and coordination of these inspections is in the hands of the Food Administration (www.mast.is).

Matís (www.matis.is) is a powerful knowledge company that engages in diverse research, service and innovation in the food industry. Matís has no role in food control other than that the company can, in an independent manner, examine food samples for regulators, institutions, companies and individuals. For example, Matís can investigate whether foods contain contaminants or other undesirable substances, whether foods contain the substances that are said to be present in them and whether there is any special activity (bioactivity) in food products or ingredients.

But Jón Gerald is always welcome to do business with Matís and we have already invited him to collaborate on measurements of fruit and vegetables that Kostur imports from the United States.

Jón Gerald has already corrected the confusion, but it is not out of the question to shed further light on Matís' operations and how it is not related to food control in Iceland.

For further information Steinar B. Aðalbjörnsson, marketing director of Matís

Reports

Processing Lobster mince from lobster claws 2

Published:

01/05/2013

Authors:

Vigfús Ásbjörnsson, Þorkell Marvin Halldórsson, Irek Klonowski, Guðjón Þorkelsson, Óli Þór Hilmarsson, Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir

Supported by:

AVS reference number R 009-12

Contact

Guðjón Þorkelsson

Strategic Scientist

gudjon.thorkelsson@matis.is

Processing Lobster mince from lobster claws 2

The purpose of the project is to optimize a previously developed process in the production of lobster marl from lobster claws from a previous project carried out in the years 2011-2012. Investigate its properties and uses with the aim of demonstrating the feasibility of producing such a product in lobster processing in Iceland. Many experiments and measurements are made with the marlin and it is evaluated by Matís experts so that there is a professional evaluation of the product that can be used in the processing of the product in fish processing plants in Iceland. 

The purpose of the project is to fine tune the process of isolating mince from nephrops lobster claws which was developed in an earlier project which was performed in the years 2011‐2012. Analyze the mince features and functions with the purpose of pointing out the mince feasibility of producing the material in Icelandic lobster industry. Many experiments and measurements are performed on the mince in the project where it is evaluated by Matis food specialists so the existence of professional evaluation of the product can be used in processing the product in the fish industry in Iceland.

View report

Reports

Protein requirements of Arctic charr / Protein requirement of char

Published:

01/05/2013

Authors:

Jón Árnason, Ólafur Ingi Sigurgeirsson, Jónína Jóhannsdóttir, Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir, Joseph Ginindza

Supported by:

AVS Fund (AVS Project R10011‐10)

Protein requirements of Arctic charr / Protein requirement of char

Five different feed types with protein content from (29) 30 - 40% were given in two size groups (100 g and 600 g) in both fresh and salt water. The effects of different feeds were assessed on the basis of their effects on digestibility, weight development, daily growth (SGR), feed utilization (FCR), chemical composition of fillets (in the larger fish) and sensory evaluation. Final weight and daily growth were lowest in the fish fed the lowest protein, but no effect of protein, in excess of 37% in the feed, was found on final weight and SGR. The minimum protein requirements for growth are therefore between 33% and 38% in the feed. There was no significant difference in feed response between size groups, even though the effect of reduced protein was greater in the larger fish. It was also not possible to see a single decisive effect of salinity on the protein requirement. The protein content of the feed also did not have a decisive effect on the fillet composition or sensory evaluation of the products.

Four (five) different diets with protein varying from (29) 30 - 41% were fed ad libitum to two size groups of Arctic charr (100 gram and 600gram) in fresh‐ as well as seawater. The effect of the different diets was evaluated by digestibility, weight development, SGR, FCR, chemical composition of filet (in the bigger size groups) and sensory evaluation. The lowest final weights and SGR were found when fed the diets with lowest protein but here was no effect final weight and final weight between 38% and 41% protein in the diet, indicating that the minimum need for protein is between 33 and 38% protein in the diet . The same trend was shown in both size groups but the effect was more pronounced in the bigger fish than in the smaller fish. The results regarding size and growth were also the same in fresh‐ and seawater. The protein content in the diet did not have any marked effect on either chemical composition of filets or the sensory quality of the product.

View report

Reports

Undesirable substances in seafood products - results from the Icelandic marine monitoring activities in the year 2012

Published:

01/05/2013

Authors:

Sophie Jensen, Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, Natasa Desnica, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Atvinnuvega‐ og nýsköpunarráðuneytið / Ministry of Industries and Innovation

Contact

Sophie Jensen

Project Manager

sophie.jensen@matis.is

Undesirable substances in seafood products - results from the Icelandic marine monitoring activities in the year 2012

This report summarizes the results of monitoring for undesirable substances in seafood, fishmeal and fish oil for feed since 2012. The EU maximum levels for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) in food and feed were recently lowered and maximum levels were set for the first time. set for "non-dioxin-like" PCBs (NDL-PCBs). The new maximum values are used in this report to assess how Icelandic seafood meets EU requirements. The monitoring began in 2003 with the help of the then Ministry of Fisheries, the current Ministry of Industry and Innovation, and has now been carried out for ten consecutive years. The project builds a knowledge base on the amount of undesirable substances in economically important species and marine products, it is defined as a long-term project where monitoring and review are constantly necessary. In 2012, emphasis was placed on gathering information on the organic compounds PFC and inorganic trace elements in edible seafood, but also in fishmeal and fish oil for feed. In general, the results obtained in 2012 were in line with previous results from 2003 to 2011. The results showed that Icelandic seafood contains insignificant amounts of persistent organic pollutants such as dioxins, PCBs, pesticides and PBDEs. This was the second year that PFCs have been detected in Icelandic seafood and perfluorooctane sulfon amide (PFOSA) was the only PFC substance that exceeded the detection limit, other PFC substances were not measured. The results from 2012 showed that despite the change in maximum levels for dioxins, DL-PCBs and NDL-PCBs (EU Regulation No. 1259/2011), all samples of seafood for human consumption are below the EU maximum levels for persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. The concentration of reference PCBs (marker PCBs) turned out to be minimal in the edible part of the fish, compared to the new maximum EU values. The results also showed that the concentration of heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in Icelandic seafood was always below the EU maximum values. In March 2012, EU Regulation No. 277/2012 entered into force, lowering maximum levels for dioxins and DL-PCBs in animal feed, but also setting maximum levels for NDL-PCBs. Despite this change, all samples of fishmeal and fish oil for feed were measured below maximum levels, with the exception of one blue whiting meal sample containing toxafen above EU maximum levels.

This report summarizes the results obtained in 2012 for the screening of various undesirable substances in the edible part of marine catches, fish meal and fish oil for feed. The newly established maximum levels for dioxins, dioxin ‐ like PCB and non dioxin ‐ like PCB in foodstuffs and animal feed are used to evaluate how Icelandic seafood products measure up to EC limits currently in effect. The surveillance program began in 2003 and has now been carried out for ten consecutive years. The project fills in gaps of knowledge regarding the level of undesirable substances in economically important marine catches for Icelandic export. It is considered to be a long ‐ term project where extension and revision are constantly necessary. In the year 2012 emphasis was placed on gathering information on the organic compounds PFCs and inorganic trace elements in the edible part of marine catches as well as in the fish meal and fish oil for feed. Generally, the results obtained in 2012 are in agreement with previous results from the years 2003 to 2011. The results show that the Icelandic seafood products contain negligible amounts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, dioxin like PCBs, pesticides and PBDEs. This is the second time PFCs are analyzed in Icelandic seafood and fish products and the results show that the main PFC compound, perfluorooctane sulfone amide (PFOSA) was the only congener detected. The results obtained in the year 2012 reveal that despite the recent change by the EC in maximum levels for dioxins, dioxin ‐ like PCB and non dioxin ‐ like PCB in foodstuffs, all samples of seafood for human consumption were below EC maximum levels for POPs and heavy metals. Furthermore, the concentration of marker PCBs was found to be low in the edible part of fish muscle, compared to the maximum limits set by the EU (Commission Regulation 1259/2011). The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals, eg cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in Icelandic seafood products was always well below the maximum limits set by EU. In March 2012 Commission Regulation No 277/2012, regarding maximum levels for dioxins and PCBs in animal feed came into effect and after the implementation of this regulation maximum levels are now also set for non dioxin ‐ like PCBs. Despite of this change all samples of fish meal and fish oil for feed measured were below the EC maximum limits for feed components of marine origin except for one blue whiting meal sample that exceeds the maximum limits for toxaphene.

View report

News

Skeed gene now reported in Iceland

Matís, who is in charge of parental analysis of horses, has now started DNA analysis of the DMRT3 gene, the so-called pacemaker gene. A great deal of discussion arose among horsemen at the end of 2012 when news arrived that genes had been found in horses that controlled their pace.

The researchers, Lisa Andersson at Capilet Genetics AB, etc. who discovered this gene believe that this is a very remarkable encounter that can improve the breeding work of the Icelandic horse.

Horses can have one of three genotypes. One genotype is when horses are homozygous for this gene (AA) and such horses have a pace. If two homogeneous horses with a good pace are paired together, they give off homogeneous all-round horses (AA). Other genetic factors and environmental influences can, however, affect how good that offspring will be as a universal horse. The other genotype produces hybrid (CA) horses and such horses are usually four-gaited horses, but if they are mated with a homozygous or hybrid individual, they can produce universal offspring in 50% or 25% cases. The third genotype is homozygous without the pacemaker (CC) and horses with this genotype are in most cases slow-moving horses. If such horses are paired with a homozygous individual with a pace or a heterosexual individual, the offspring will either be all-round horses with tölt or pure all-round horses.

By DNA identifying horses for this gene, breeders can choose the breeding stock according to whether they are universal horses (homozygous), all-round horses with tölt (hereditary) or pure all-round horses.

More information on DNA analysis for the pacemaker gene can be obtained by sending an email to alexandram@matis.is

News

The raw material does not get fresher

Ásbjörn Jónsson, a food scientist at Matís, went on one fishing trip with the most advanced line fishing vessel in the world, where he had a hand in producing some exciting canned goods from excellent fresh ingredients.

In Norway, there is the longline fishing vessel "Fröyanes", where the aim is to utilize all the raw material that comes in front of the deck. There is a small canning factory on board and the goal is to use it for canning liver, eggs, gills, skateboards and gels.

Fröyanes is one of the most advanced line fishing vessels in the world, and it is therefore a great incentive for Matís' experts to take part in product development on board this vessel.

Ásbjörn's journey was very well described Fish news on 11 April. (© Photo by Fröyanes: www.fiskifrettir.is).

The news in Sunnmörsposten on Saturday 23 March. (open No. 10).

EN