Category: News

Dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, will give a talk on Research and Realistic Solutions in the Food Industry and Biotechnology at the Master's Day of the University of Iceland.

In the engineering disciplines within the University of Iceland, the goal is to integrate innovation with postgraduate studies. On the Master's Day of the Institute of Engineering, the projects of master's students who are often participants in innovation projects in collaboration with powerful companies will be presented. The university's students thus contribute a lot to product and community development in Iceland.

Everyone is welcome to attend and learn about the source of innovation and high-tech solutions in engineering and computer science at the University of Iceland.

The Master's Day of the Engineering Institute will take place on Thursday 23 May 12:00 - 17:00 in the building VR-II. The program of the Master's Day can be found here.

A conference on environmental pollution in Iceland, water and water quality, was held on 22 March 2013 on the occasion of Water Day, and this conference is held with the support of the United Nations on 22 March each year.

Five institutions, the Ministry of the Environment and the University of Iceland were involved in the preparation of the conference.

The conference was well attended by scholars as well as a very good reputation for all presentations and presentations that reflected both the ambition and professionalism of those who were responsible for them. In view of the limited number of seats at the conference and fewer people attending than wanted to, the organizing committee considered it appropriate to invite those scholars who spoke at the conference and saw themselves able to publish their papers on Matís' website. The lecture can now be accessed below:

• Protection of water quality in Reykjavík
  Árný Sigurðardóttir, Reykjavík Health Inspectorate
• Do Icelandic coniferous forests lead to acidification of stream water?
  Bjarni D. Sigurðsson, Agricultural University of Iceland (LBHÍ)
• Chemical content in wastewater from arable land
  Björn Þorsteinsson, Arngrímur Thorlacius, Þorsteinn Guðmundsson, LBHÍ
• Pollution off the coast of Iceland
  Erla Sturludóttir et al., University of Iceland and Matís
• Concentration of dissolved substances in the inflow and outflow of Þingvallavatn
  Eydís Salóme Eiríksdóttir, Sigurður Reynir Gíslason, Institute of Earth Sciences, University
• Water protection and water quality
  Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir, Orkuveita Reykjavíkur
• The microflora of Elliðavatn and Elliðaá
  Kristín Elísa Guðmundsdóttir, University of Iceland and Matís

Nine presentations were made at the conference and in addition, research was presented on 11 posters. In the presentations, it was stated, among other things, that there is considerable pressure on groundwater in many places and that little attention is often paid to it when projects are planned. The natural content of substances in water in Iceland was discussed. It was found that the chemical concentration in drinking water is generally low. Measurements of chemical concentrations in natural water systems were introduced, and the natural content of substances in water in Iceland is usually low and in most places we live very well in terms of quality and control. A study of the microflora of Elliðavatn and rivers was also reported, as well as indications of increased nitrogen in Þingvallavatn. Research on the drainage of arable land and from coniferous forests was presented, and measurements of mercury in trout in lakes led to very interesting results. Finally, the results of monitoring pollution in the sea and off the coast of Iceland over the last 20 years were presented. There were many other interesting presentations at the conference and we encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the talk.

On behalf of the conference's organizing committee and scientific committee, we would like to thank all those who took part in the conference. Both the scholars who contributed to the conference with presentations and presentations as well as all the individuals who attended and studied the issues, took part in the discussion and gave it color and life.

For further information Sophie Jensen at Matís.

Matís in collaboration with the University of Iceland, the University of Iceland Research Center in Sandgerði and ArcticMass received a grant from the Rannís Equipment Fund in 2012 to purchase a gas chromatograph / mass spectrometer (GC / MS).

The device that arrived at the house in early February is of the Shimadzu GCMS-QP2010 ULTRA model and is connected to an AOC-500 SMPE headspace sample feeder. GC / MS is most useful for measuring smaller and more volatile substances that are often hydrophobic.

This device is the only one in the country that has an SPME sample feeder that creates a certain uniqueness for Matís and its partners, and it will be particularly useful for analyzes of, among other things, taste and odorants in food. Other research projects that the GC / MS device will be useful for are measurements of pollutants in the environment such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and brominated fire retardants (PBDEs). The structure of polysaccharides can also be identified in terms of connection type in food research.

A new GC / MS device replaces old and obsolete equipment as well as increasing diagnostic capabilities with modern technology and greater device sensitivity. A new tool will therefore create new research opportunities in the future.

For further information Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir at Matís.

3X Technology in Ísafjörður and the Westfjords Growth Agreement have signed an agreement to support testing of new equipment that the company is developing, FILTREX water purification equipment. The project is carried out in collaboration with Matís and Kampa's shrimp processing.

There are high expectations for this new equipment, which will be sold as a supplement to the main product of 3X Technology, ROTEX, which is used for cooling and thawing in food processing. ROTEX equipment requires a lot of water during use, but with FILTREX equipment it will be possible to use the same water for at least two days in non-stop processing as well as capturing valuable substances from the water, such as protein. 

FILTREX equipment will also be sold as an independent equipment for purifying waste water from food processing, before it is returned to the environment. Great and increased environmental demands are made all over the world to return treated wastewater to nature, and therefore the company has high hopes for the demand for this new technology. Matís has the knowledge to work on such projects and Kampi proposes its shrimp processing to test and develop new equipment. 3X Technology has applied for a grant from the Technology Development Fund for the development of the equipment and hopes for a positive response in the spring.

3X Technology has extensive experience in the design and construction of equipment and has contributed around 5% of turnover in R & Þ in recent years. The company's success is based on innovation and sales of unique solutions for the demanding market in equipment for food production. The FILTREX equipment will improve the competitive position of 3X Technology in the market for thawing bleeding and refrigeration equipment for food production. The company has achieved great success in the production of such equipment for the production of farmed fish and FILTREX will further improve that position in the future. Today, sales of ROTEX equipment are around 10 to 15 systems per year on the world market, but increased sales can be expected with FILTREX equipment, to areas where water is limited and / or high demands are made on environmental protection. There are increasing demands from the market for green solutions that products be manufactured with environmental protection in mind.

The news first appeared on the website of Bæjarinn besta in Ísafjörður, www.bb.is, 16 May sl.

On Thursday 30 May, a doctoral defense will take place at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, University of Iceland. Then protect Sigrún Mjöll Halldórsdóttir Matís' food scientist's dissertation "New and improved methods for producing hydrolysed fish proteins with bioactive properties - Oxidation processes and the use of natural antioxidants in enzymatic hydrolysis".

When does this event start: May 30, 2013 - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Event location:  Main building
Further location:  Celebration hall

Opponents are dr. Maurice Marshall Professor at the University of Florida, USA and dr. Jakob K. Kristjánsson from Prokazyme Ltd. The supervisor of the project was dr. Hörður G. Kristinsson at Matís. Dr. Þórhallur Ingi Halldórsson, President of the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, will preside over the ceremony, which will take place in the Celebration Hall of the University of Iceland in the Main Building and the ceremony will begin at 10:00.

On the subject of the dissertation

Anhydrous fish protein (fish protein hydrolyzate; FPH) has a variety of health-promoting bioactive properties such as antihypertensive properties and antioxidant activity. A large amount of underutilized by-products are generated during fish processing that could be utilized in such products. Fat oxidation by enzymatic hydrolysis can be a problem in the production of bioactive FPH. The overall aim of the study was to improve processing technology and introduce new methods for processing bioactive FPH products from fish proteins. The results indicate that isolating protein by baseline treatment for hydrolysis using an improved method could save time, labor and material, compared to conventional base processing. Studies show that oxidation develops rapidly during hydrolysis in the presence of oxidative catalysts. The results show that oxidation can cause FPH to lose its antioxidant properties, in addition to oxidative products causing a reduced anti-inflammatory response, which can have negative consequences in the body.

The use of natural antioxidants proved to be very useful in hydrolysis of fish proteins. Extract from Icelandic seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, as an antioxidant that prevented oxidation, increased the bioactivity of the final product and reduced the formation of bitter taste in FPH.

The supervisor of the doctoral project was dr. Hörður G. Kristinsson at Matís, but in addition to him, Guðjón Þorkelsson, professor at the University of Iceland and director of the department at Matís, dr. Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir at Iceprotein ehf. and dr. Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir, professor at the University of Iceland.

On 14 May, Matvælastofnun (MAST) signed a service agreement with Matís on safety measurements in the field of pesticides.

Pesticides are used in the cultivation and storage of foods such as fruits, vegetables and cereals to prevent or reduce damage caused by fungi, weeds, insects and other pests.

It is not permitted to produce or distribute food that contains pesticides in excess of the maximum permitted values according to Art. a regulation on pesticide residues which is based on EU directives and the responsibility lies with manufacturers, distributors and sellers. Matís will send the MAST results of the measurements monthly.

For further information, please contact Jón Gíslason, CEO of MAST and Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís.

The importance of good handling of the catch taken from the sea will be discussed too late. Bleeding, gutting, washing and last but not least cooling are the factors that matter if the goal is to bring first-class fish to market.

In order to facilitate the estimated need for ice in a row, Matís has had a simple calculator equipped to show how much ice is needed to cool and maintain the cooling of catches, taking into account sea and ambient temperatures and storage times.

This calculator gives an excellent indication of the amount of ice, but it certainly varies a bit depending on the type of ice used.

The calculator can be found on Matís' educational website: Ice demand (ice calculations)

The Laboratory of Nutrition at Landspítali, the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the University of Iceland and Matís are looking for participants in a study that aims to examine how well the body utilizes omega-3 fatty acids from different sources.

In addition to participating in a fun study and receiving free food, everyone who completes the study has the opportunity for a great gift card.

Further information can be found here.

May 1 began the inshore fishing season. For that reason, Matís would like to point out to hunters and others on the educational page below.

A new regulation on cooling of catch can be found on this page along with a new ice calculator, which helps fishermen to decide how much ice needs to be used to maintain the best and longest quality of raw material.

Further information a www.alltummat.is/fiskur/smabatar/

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.

• Haraldur Hallgrímsson, division manager
• Jón Trausti Kárason
• Sæmundur Elíasson

For further information Haraldur Hallgrímsson at 858-5054.