Recently, a course that Matís held with others at Höfn in Hornafjörður ended. The design of the course was done in collaboration with Þekkingarnet, Skinneyjar-Þinganes and FAS (Framhaldsskólinn í Austur-Skaftafellssýsla).
Teaching was usually twice a week in the Skinney-Þinganes building, which was specially equipped as a classroom. The aim of the course was, among other things, to increase staff's knowledge of marine catch processing, strengthen self-confidence and increase their professional skills. Course components included cooperation and team spirit, management, quality in fish processing, food safety and occupational safety.
Recently, the results of a study were published in which Matís employees participated, among other things together with the American Space Agency (NASA), to study the ecosystem in Skaftárkötlar.
There is the first information about the ecosystem of Skafárkatlar, which is under 300 m thick ice. This article describes the ecosystem in the western cauldron, but the ecosystem in the eastern Skaftár cauldron was being studied, but there are two of them and Skaftárhlaup comes from them.
The research is part of the project "Secrets of Skaftárkatla".
To analyze the diversity of the ecosystem, a 454 FLX sequencer was used, but Matís has such equipment in its premises in Reykjavík. With this equipment you can view the diversity of microorganisms much better and faster than before.
Next Friday 9 April. doctoral defense at the University of Iceland School of Medicine. Rannveig Björnsdóttir, an employee of Matís, is defending her doctoral dissertation "Bacterial flora in the early stages of halibut farming".
Doctoral dissertation in life and medical sciences from the Faculty of Medicine at the School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland.
Bacterial flora in the early stages of halibut farming
Next Friday 9 April. doctoral defense at the University of Iceland School of Medicine. Rannveig Björnsdóttir is defending her doctoral dissertation "Bacterial flora during the early stages of halibut farming".Hippoglossushippoglossus L.). Opponents are dr. Brian Austin, Professor and Director of the Fisheries Institute at the University of Stirling in Scotland and dr. Gunnsteinn Ægir Haraldsson, director of research-related studies at the University of Iceland School of Medicine. The supervisor was dr. Bjarnheiður K. Guðmundsdóttir, specialist at the University of Iceland Laboratory of Pathology at Keldur and adjunct professor at the University of Iceland School of Medicine, and in addition to her, the doctoral committee included dr. Eva Benediktsdóttir, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, dr. Helgi Thorarensen, professor at the Faculty of Aquaculture and Fish Biology at Hólar University, dr. Jakob K Kristjánsson, CEO of Prokazyme Ltd. and dr. Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir, CEO of Matís ohf.
Dr. Guðmundur Þorgeirsson, professor and president of the Faculty of Medicine, will chair the ceremony, which will take place in room 132 in Askja and will begin at 13:00.
Abstract from the study The results of the doctoral project shed more light on the development of bacterial flora in the early stages of halibut farming and the possible effects of the composition of the flora on survival and development from egg fertilization to the end of initial feeding. Severe and sudden declines are a problem in these first and most sensitive stages of rearing, and not least in the first weeks of feeding when the larvae need live feed animals. The results also show that changes in environmental factors had a significant effect on the number and composition of the bacterial flora, as it was possible to stimulate non-specific larval immunity in the treatment of food animals with hydrolysed fish proteins and improved survival in the treatment of feed animals with bacterial strains prevalent in the gastrointestinal tract. The results also indicate that the predominant part of the flora of larvae and their feed animals can to a large extent be arable.
The project was carried out in collaboration Matís ohf. and the University of Akureyri and in close collaboration with Fiskey hf. Other partners were the University of Iceland Laboratory of Pathology at Keldur, the University of Tromsø in Norway, Iceprotein ehf. and Hólar University.
The project was funded by the Rannís Technology Development Fund, the AVS Fisheries Research Fund, the Biotechnology Network in Resource Utilization, the University of Akureyri Research Fund and the KEA University Fund.
About the doctoral dissertation Rannveig Björnsdóttir was born in 1959. She graduated from Menntaskólinn að Laugarvatn in 1980, Cand. mag. degree from the University of Fisheries in Tromsø, Norway in 1988 and Cand.scient. degree in immunology and fish diseases from the same school in 1990. Since 1991, Rannveig has worked part-time as a specialist at the Fisheries Research Institute and later as head of department and director of aquaculture at Matís ohf. and part-time as an assistant professor and then associate professor at the Department of Fisheries and later the Department of Natural Resources at the University of Akureyri. Rannveig began her doctoral studies at the University of Iceland School of Medicine in 2004. Rannveig is the daughter of the couple Björn Benediktsson, who was responsible for the development of Silfurstjörn hf. in Öxarfjörður and Ásta Björnsdóttir, housewife. Rannveig has one grown daughter, Hugrún Lísa.
Supply chain of Icelandic containerized fish to the UK / Supply chain of Icelandic containerized fish to the UK
This report describes the progress and results of the project "value chain of Icelandic container fish to the UK" funded by the ACP Fund. The aim of the project is to promote improvements in the value chain of container fish with the aim of increasing the quality and value of the products. In the first part of the project, a statistical assessment is made of whether the price and quality of container fish go hand in hand, but the results from that analysis indicate that supply has a dominant effect on fish prices and that the effect of quality is completely overshadowed. One of the main preconditions for encouraging improvements in the container fish value chain is that it can be shown that increased quality has financial benefits. Therefore, attempts were made to increase the provision of information on the forthcoming supply, in addition to which the information that accompanied catches was added to the floor of the auction markets. This was done in the hope that it would boost buyers' awareness of quality and that it would have a positive effect on fish prices. However, this experiment did not yield the desired results. It is the project partner's opinion that the key to increasing the quality and value of container fish is to arouse more interest among sellers as well as buyers in quality. In this way, buyers will be more willing to pay a higher price for the best quality, thus creating a market-related incentive among sellers to deliver only the best possible quality. With this aim in mind, the project partners were responsible for the introduction of quality assessment in the classification of fish in the UK markets and it is hoped that this will be useful to buyers in identifying which exporters perform best. The website www.matis.is/gamafiskur was also launched, with the aim of disseminating information to everyone in the container fish value chain on the issues that are likely to affect quality and value.
This is a report on the progress and results from the project "supply chain of Icelandic containerized fish to the UK". The objective of the project is to contribute to improvements in the supply chain of containerized fish from Iceland with the aim to improve quality and value. Financial benefits are a necessary condition in order to motivate improvements in the supply chain of containerized fish. Experiments were therefore made where information on expected supply and labeling of bins at auction markets were improved. This however did not return the expected results ie it did not affect average prices. The key to increasing quality and value of Icelandic containerized fish is to raise awareness for quality amongst suppliers and processors. Processors need to identify the suppliers that are supplying the best fish and they also need to reward them with higher prices. This would create a market-based incentive for suppliers to supply only top-quality fish. In order to contribute to this an intake quality score system has been implemented at Fishgate and Grimsby Fish Market, collecting data on the performance of individual suppliers. Also, a web-based supply chain guide www.matis.is/supplychainguide has been published, where relevant information for each link in the supply chain will be gathered.
Björn Margeirsson, Hannes Magnússon, Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Kristín Líf Valtýsdóttir, Eyjólfur Reynisson, Sigurjón Arason
Supported by:
AVS Fund of Ministry of Fisheries in Iceland, The Technology Development Fund at the Icelandic Center for Research, University of Iceland Research Fund
Contact
Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir
Project Manager
kolbrun.sveinsdottir@matis.is
The effect of different precooling media during processing and cooling techniques during packaging of cod (Gadus morhua) fillets
The purpose of the experiments was to investigate the effect of different refrigerants in pre-cooling before packaging on temperature control, quality and shelf life of cod fillets. The following refrigerants were examined and compared with no special pre-packing pre-packing:
brine with a low salt content, 2) ice cream with a low salt content.
In addition, the effects of using ice mats and dry ice on the storage of the wrecks were investigated. Temperature changes were monitored by temperature sensors at all levels. Samples were quality assessed by sensory evaluation, microbial and chemical measurements for up to 13 days from processing and packaging (16 days from fishing). The fillets were stored in supercooled conditions (below 0 ° C) for most of the storage time. Lower temperatures of slurry ice than brine led to lower fillet temperatures during packing, and the temperature of the liquid brine was found to rise rapidly during processing. Different treatment resulted in a comparable freshness period according to sensory evaluation. However, the use of a liquid brine during pre-packaging pre-packing proved to lead to a shorter shelf life of 1-2 days compared to no pre-cooling or pre-cooling with slush ice. The reasons for this can be traced to the fact that the brine contained a considerable amount of microorganisms, including H2S-producing bacteria which are active producers of trimethylamine (TMA). Comparison of liquid-cooled fillets showed that the use of dry ice prolonged shelf life by 1 day compared to ice mats. The results of microbial and chemical measurements were consistent with these results.
The aim of the experiment was to investigate effects of two cooling media during precooling at processing on temperature control, quality and storage life of cod fillets. The two cooling media compared to no special precooling during processing (NC) were: 1) liquid brine (LC) and 2) slurry ice (SIC). In addition, the influence of using either dry ice or ice packs during storage was studied. The samples were kept at superchilled conditions during most of the trial. The environmental and product temperature history of each group was studied using temperature monitors. The samples were analyzed with sensory evaluation, microbial and chemical methods for up to sixteen days from catch (thirteen days from processing). Lower temperature of the slurry ice than the liquid brine resulted in lower fillet temperature at packaging and the liquid brine temperature increased rapidly during a processing break, which seems to be a weakness of the liquid brine tank. Results from sensory, microbial and chemical analysis all showed that immersing the skinless cod fillets in liquid cooling brine prior to packaging resulted in one to two days reduction of shelf life in comparison with fillets that were not immersed in liquid brine (no cooling) or in slurry ice. This could be attributed to the fact that the cooling brine carried considerable amounts of microbes including H2Sproducing bacteria which are active producers of trimethylamine (TMA). Comparison of the groups receiving liquid cooling showed that dry ice appeared to extend the shelf life of one day as compared to ice packs. The length of the freshness period was, however, similar in all experimental groups according to sensory evaluation. These results were confirmed by total volatile bases (TVB-N) and TMA analysis and microbial counts.
Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson, Ólafur H. Friðjónsson, Þorleifur Ágústsson, Sigríður Hjörleifsdóttir, Kjell Hellman, Filipe Figueiredo, Helgi Thorarensen
Supported by:
Technology Development Fund, The Icelandic Center for Research
Contact
Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson
Strategic Scientist
gudmundo@matis.is
Photoperiod and genetics of growth and maturity in cod (Gadus morhua)
One of the main problems of cod farming is premature puberty, which results in slower growth and a much longer rearing period. Preliminary studies carried out in pots on land indicated that a new type of light, the so-called CC light, which emits light of one wavelength (green light) had a much greater effect on growth (up to 60% growth increase) and timing of puberty than conventional halogen light. This study examined the role of genotype and expression of certain key genes in response to light cycles, the determination of premature puberty and the association with increased cod growth in aquaculture. It was investigated whether, body size, weight and premature puberty were familial traits. At the end of a six-month indoor spawning season with two types of lighting, one with white halogen light and the other with continuous CC light, the cod was warlike in sea cages. In the sea cages he was also subjected to different light cycle treatments on the one hand with continuous CC light and on the other hand with natural light. After two years of sea farming, the fish were slaughtered, the phenotype of growth and sexual maturity was determined and it was divided into sibling groups, a total of approx. 2000 fish from each treatment separately. It was found that CCL light had a clear effect on delaying puberty and was much more noticeable in hens. The gonads developed much more slowly and not at all to the full compared to cod raised during the natural light cycle at the same time. There was also some variation between sibling groups in the effect of light on the development of gonads. On the other hand, this delay in puberty did not lead to such a sensitive growth rate. The familial similarity of growth patterns was also examined and a clear difference in mean weight was found between sibling groups. Responses to CCL treatment, however, were very divergent and appeared to vary between sibling groups. CCL treatment appeared to increase growth rate in some groups but slow growth rate in others. This could vary by gender. It was also investigated whether pretreatment of broths with CCL light during the coastal spawning season made the cod more sensitive to the effects of CCL light at sea level. That did not turn out to be the case. Certain key genes in growth and puberty control were isolated, along with some or all of their infiltrates. These were growth hormone (GH) genes, growth hormone receptors, growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF) receptors and insulin-like growth factor receptor2 (IGF2) receptors. In the sequences of three of these genes, GH, GHR and IGF2, variable mutations were found and a method for genetic marking was developed based on these sequences. The effect of light cycles on growth expression was also assessed by measuring the expression of two of these genes, GH and GHR. The relative expression of GHR was not found to be greater in larger fish and no association was found between CCL delayed puberty and GHR expression. GH expression was also examined in fish at sea level. Significant differences in GH expression were measured at only one sampling point, early in the first year in the sea cages in the CCL-treated group. This increase did not occur in the corresponding changes in the staging characteristics of growth and puberty measured at the same time.
Light and photoperiod is a powerful environmental regulator of growth and sexual maturation in fish. Initial studies had indicated that a new type of lights, Cold Cathode ‐ lights (CCL), had much greater effect on growth and sexual development than white halogen light traditionally used in fish farming. In this study we investigated selected candidate gene expression in cod in response to CC ‐ light photoperiod treatment and possible genetic contribution to this response. This effect was evaluated by quantitatively comparing phenotypic traits under the different treatments. On December 2008 (“*”), significant differences were found fish farmed under natural light, in combination with gene expression studies and genotypic family assignments. After hatching the fish was reared from 6 months in indoor tanks under two different light regimes, white halogen light and CC ‐ light. The fish was then transported to sea cages and divided into two groups, one that received continuous CC ‐ light and another that received only natural light treatment. The fish was reared in these sea cages for an additional two years until harvesting. Approximately 2000 individuals from each treatment were genotyped and assigned to different full sib groups. Total body weight, length and gonadal weight were also measured for all individuals. Physiologically, the fish responded clearly to CCL treatment regarding maturity related traits, with less gonadal development in the CCL treated fish. The difference was substantial and the same trend could be observed in all families. The degree of response however differed somewhat between families to some which may signify underlying genetic differences. The effect of CCL treatment on growth related traits was less clear. Apparent growth responses to CCL treatment varied greatly between families and they appeared to be either negative or positive, depending on family and sex. Opposite effects were even observed within families on different sexes. In this project genes associated with growth and maturity were retrieved partly or completely from cod (Gadus morhua). These genes were: Growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), growth hormone releasing factor (GHR F) and insulin like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R). A number of their introns were also obtained and variable microsatellite regions could be identified in intron regions of three of these genes, GH, GHR F, and IGF2R. A method was developed based on the GH and GHR gene sequences to amplify and evaluate expression of these genes in different tissues of cod. GHR expression levels were measured at different sampling points both during the indoor stage where different size groups and treatments were compared and at the outdoor stage where different light treatments were mainly compared. Differences in expression levels between different size groups and between different light treatment groups were insignificant. The light influence is on the GH gene expression, was only observed in the beginning of March early at the sea cage stage and could not be associated with increased growth or delayed reproductive development. The CCL (Cold ‐ Cathode Light) has a single green wavelength that diffuses more effectively throughout the water column than white light. It may therefore mask natural light more efficiently. Still it may be necessary to train fish for the CCL lights and at the indoor stage one half of the juveniles received CCL treatment before transportation to the sea cages. When imprinted and not imprinted were compared negligible difference in gonadal development were, however, observed strongly indicating that prior imprinting to sea cage rearing had no effect.
Why not a fish market, just like a vegetable market and a farmers market? Food, history, culture March 25 at 17.
Iceland is known for great fish and good fishing grounds, but to some extent due to the fact that it is not customary in this country for the public to be able to buy fresh fish the quay or at the fish market. Although many have shown the idea of fish market interest, it has not been followed up in practice so far to. It now looks like the movement is getting to grips with the issue both in Reykjavík and beyond, and that it is not proposed to wait for visitors and pedestrians to approach fresh fish in this lively and fun way.
Þóra Valsdóttir, food scientist at Matís ohf and Brynhildur Pálsdóttir, food designer at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, presents interesting things a summary of the potential of fish markets in Iceland at the company's meeting Matur saga culture, Thursday 25 March at 17.00 in the premises of the Reykjavík Academy, Hringbraut 121, 4th floor.
The meeting is open to everyone and admission is free.
Prior to the meeting, ie. from 16.30-17.00 there will be an annual general meeting of the company held according to the previously announced agenda.
Matís has been active in energy biotechnology for some time now and Matís' Division of Biotechnology and Biomaterials has received grants from various sources to look for special enzymes and microorganisms that can be used in energy biotechnology.
Projects funded by the Technology Development Fund and the Nordic-Energy Fund are currently underway to find and improve thermophilic micro-organisms using genetic engineering for the production of ethanol from biomass. The biomass contains polysaccharides such as cellulose and xylan, which traditional fermentation bacteria are not able to utilize, but such biomass occurs in industry and agriculture on a large scale and is underused today. Heat-loving microorganisms can break down and ferment such biomass and the aim of the web material is to make them more powerful, i.e. o. profitable.
At the beginning of this year, Matís and Lund University received a large grant from the Swedish research fund FORMAS in addition to the aforementioned grants for this project. Subsequently, Matís was invited to present the project at the Swedish Energy Congress
The conference is an annual event in Sweden with over 500 lectures covering all areas of energy efficiency and procurement. Matís' project received a good response and it is worth mentioning that FORMAS 'booth featured, among other things, a large picture of a thermal area, which was a kind of quotation from Matís' project.
The goal is to be at the forefront of innovation in food science, food engineering and biotechnology.
University of Iceland and Matís ohf. signed an agreement yesterday to strengthen practical teaching and scientific work in the fields of food science, food engineering, biotechnology and food safety. The idea with the agreement is to strengthen the theoretical and practical education of students at the University of Iceland and increase research in the above areas. The aim is to utilize the possibilities for joint operation of equipment for the benefit of joint projects, but the University and Matís intend to jointly purchase and operate various types of research equipment.
The University of Iceland and Matís intend to be at the forefront of innovation in the fields of study related to food science, food engineering, biotechnology and food safety. With the agreement, the practical guidance of master's and doctoral students at the University of Iceland will be provided by Matís, but the idea is to ensure that the quality of research at the University of Iceland and Matís is comparable to what happens internationally in the above fields.
The collaboration should also ensure professional uniqueness in order to attract students and scholars at the international level. The intention is to increase the number of undergraduate and graduate students in food science, food engineering and biotechnology.
Matís is the largest research institute in the country in the field of food research and food safety. Matís' policy is to strengthen the competitiveness of Icelandic products and the economy, improve public health, ensure food security and sustainable use of the environment through research, innovation and services in the fields of food, biotechnology and genetic engineering. In order to implement its policy, it is necessary for Matís to work in collaboration with the University of Iceland on teaching and training students.
The University of Iceland has formulated a policy until the year 2011, where emphasis is placed on the development of doctoral studies, excellent research and teaching, as well as emphasis on collaboration with institutions and companies such as Matís. The University of Iceland conducts extensive research and teaching in the fields of study that Matís deals with, especially in the field of health sciences, engineering and natural sciences at the university.
Yesterday, Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir, CEO of Matís, also became a visiting professor at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the University of Iceland, and an agreement to that effect was signed. The aim of the agreement is to strengthen teaching and research in food science.
Attached is a photo from yesterday's signing of the agreements
Front row from left: Sigurður Guðmundsson, President of the School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Kristín Ingólfsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland, Jón Bjarnason, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Sjöfn Sigurgísladóttir, CEO of Matís and Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition.
Back row from left: Jóhann Guðmundsson, Assistant Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Þórður Kristinsson, Director of the University of Iceland, Jón Atli Benediktsson, Assistant Rector of Science and Teaching at the University of Iceland, Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, Vice President of the University of Iceland, Friðrik Friðriksson, Chairman of Matís, Guðjón Þorkelsson, Head of Matís, Halldór Jónsson, Head of the School of Science, University of Iceland.
Recently, there were reports of results from the survey, which show that some consumers believe that foods that are claimed for health benefits are not as natural, do not taste as good and are not as interesting as those foods that do not carry health claims.
Emilía Martinsdóttir, director of Matís, conducted a survey together with other professionals from the Nordic countries. The results of the survey were mainly that consumers tend to consider claims, for example on packaging, about health benefits not as important as information about what the substances in the product actually do for the body. Therefore, it can be understood that consumers want to know about the scientific facts of the case rather than beautiful statements about what the product does.
Example: "Product X lowers blood pressure" would not give a product manufacturer as much as saying "Product X contains substance Y which research results suggest may have a positive effect on health".
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