Category: News

As most people know, there has been a lot of discussion about salt in recent days. Everyone has their own opinion on the so-called "salt issue", but everyone agrees on the importance of healthy, good and harmless food as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Matís wants to put his weight on the scales of a good and informed discussion. In order to emphasize the importance of reliable information and professional work methods in discussions on difficult issues such as these and in light of Matís' role regarding the public health of Icelanders, it should be noted that the company has equipment to measure salt for companies and individuals.

Matís has great ambitions in food research, but it is worth mentioning that Matís runs the largest food laboratory in the country. At Matís, the accreditation of measurement methods is paramount and the company has ambitious plans for even further development of accredited measurement methods. Matís has long aimed at further development of equipment and the company is considering various ways of financing important equipment, for the benefit of all Icelanders.

For further information Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, director of chemical research and risk assessment at Matís

Traceability and the environmental impact of fish products are the backbone of the WhiteFish project, which Matís is working on together with parties in Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

The project aims to develop methods for assessing the environmental impact of fishery products, from fishing to the consumer. The environmental impact assessment is based on an LCA life cycle analysis, which means that the analysis covers the entire value chain. Factors such as the state of the fish stocks, the effects of fishing methods, energy consumption during processing and transport, waste in the process, destruction or recycling of packaging, etc. are therefore taken into account.

"Based on the experience gained regarding the eco-labeling of marine products, information such as this is most important for wholesalers and retailers of the product. Few consumers make an effort to immerse themselves in these aspects, but they trust that the person who sells them seafood is offering a product that has an acceptable environmental impact. Large retail chains have their own criteria in this regard, and with the WhiteFish project we are taking a step even further than is done with "traditional" eco-labels and calculating the environmental impact for the entire value chain of the products ", says Jónas Rúnar Viðarsson, Matís's specialist manager.

"In recent months, wild fish from the North Atlantic have faced increased competition in markets from cheap farmed fish from Asia and Africa, such as pangasius and tilapia. With the WhiteFish project, we hope to be able to show that our fish have less environmental impact than this competitive product, after all. "

The development work in the project is done with fresh fish fillets from Iceland and also the same process is examined with regard to fresh whole fish from Iceland which is transported in containers to Grimsby in the UK and processed there. The third research topic is sea-frozen fish from Norway and finally a fourth fish dish produced in Sweden.

"Based on this project, it can be said that a side project has been developed, supported by the Nordic InnovationCentre, where we are looking at what information the product market, ie. retailers and consumers, calls for. Both in terms of the content of the information and its form. These are questions such as whether consumers want information about the fishing method and the state of the stock with the product, how accurate the content descriptions need to be, whether it is better to develop a coding system so that consumers can go to a computer and trace a product's history and so on. Developments in the presentation of this information to consumers can create a unique position for Nordic fish products, and in this way this research is desirable, "says Jónas Rúnar.

For further information Jónas R. Viðarsson.

The board of the Student Innovation Fund has chosen the best projects carried out in 2011 to compete for the President of Iceland's Innovation Award 2012. Two parties in collaboration with Matís have been nominated. The award ceremony will take place at Bessastaðir. February. 

The parties in collaboration with Matís are Darri Eyþórsson and Einar Margeir Kristinsson on the one hand, but they worked on a project with Matís and the University of Iceland, which consisted of achieving improved utilization in Icelandic vegetable growing. Hugrún Lísa Heimisdóttir is also nominated for her project "Protein quantity analysis of the digestive tract of cod climbers" which is carried out in collaboration with Matís and the University of Akureyri.

Matís sincerely congratulates these parties, as well as all the nominees, on their great results and great projects.

More about the President of Iceland Award (from Rannís' website, www.rannis.is)
The board of the Student Innovation Fund has chosen the best projects that were done in 2011 to compete for the President of Iceland's Innovation Award 2012. The final finishing touches for the Student Innovation Fund's grants in 2011 are now nearing completion. The purpose of the fund is to support university students in undergraduate and master's studies for summer work in innovation and research. Almost 500 applications for grants for summer work in innovation and research were received by the fund this year.

The fund was funded by 50 million from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the City of Reykjavík contributed 30 million. The support enabled the Student Innovation Fund to support 131 projects where 190 students worked for 493 man-months.

The end point and also the highlight of the career is the awarding of the President of Iceland's Innovation Award to those projects that are considered to excel. All students who submit a final report before the advertised deadline are eligible for the award. This time, 111 reports were received by the fund before the deadline, so the board had difficulty selecting the projects that could be considered. The projects were extremely diverse and the work took place in all parts of the country.

The board of the Student Innovation Fund selects the projects that are nominated as top projects and compete for the President of Iceland's Innovation Award on the advice of the fund's professional councils. The award ceremony will take place at Bessastaðir next February. Further information can be obtained from Hulda Proppé, Hulda.P@rannis.is, tel. 515-5825 and 821-4332.

The finalization of the Student Innovation Fund's grants for the 2011 grant year is now nearing completion. The purpose of the fund is to support university students in undergraduate and master's studies for summer work in innovation and research. Almost 500 applications for grants for summer work in innovation and research were received by the fund this year.

The fund was funded by 50 million from the Ministry of Education and Culture and the City of Reykjavík contributed 30 million. The support enabled the Student Innovation Fund to support 131 projects where 190 students worked for 493 man-months.

The end point and also the highlight of the career is the awarding of the President of Iceland's Innovation Award to those projects that are considered to excel. All students who submit a final report before the advertised deadline are eligible for the award. This time, 111 reports were received by the fund before the deadline, so the board had difficulty selecting the projects that could be considered. The projects were extremely diverse and the work took place in all parts of the country.

The board of the Student Innovation Fund selects the projects that are nominated as top projects and compete for the President of Iceland's Innovation Award on the advice of the fund's professional councils. The award ceremony will take place at Bessastaðir next February. An overview of the projects that received nominations this time can be accessed here.

For further information, please contact Hulda Proppé at Rannís.

Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir and Sveinn H Magnússon write articles in the latest publication, which are the result of the project "Analysis of risks and benefits due to food consumption".

The entire issue can be found here.

For further information Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir.

Ragnar Jóhannsson, director of business development at Matís, says that the aim is to utilize the residual heat that is generated to a large extent, for example hot water and various compounds such as carbon dioxide, in connection with energy production in Reykjanes. 

Ragnar was interviewed in Iðnaðarblaðið recently. In the interview, it is stated, among other things, that Matís is working on financing projects related to the resources that are currently not utilized around geothermal power plants. The aim is to seek funding through the European Union's subsidy system and to connect companies in Europe that have similar situations. The aim is to utilize residual heat and various materials that are generated and create value from them and utilize it as raw material between companies, building up knowledge of the full utilization of the energy resource so that as little as possible is wasted.

The full interview can be found here but it was published in Iðnaðarblaðið on 19 December.

For further information Ragnar Jóhannsson.

Matís' annual report will soon be published, but the aim is for the report to be out of print in late January. If you are interested in knowing when the report will be published or about other things that take place at Matís, you can sign up for our mailing list here.

International co-operation is extensive in the report, which covers Matís' fifth full year of operation. The 2011 annual report provides insight into how Matís has, despite her young age, established a connection and reputation abroad. During the year that is coming to an end, Matís has systematically and consciously increased its emphasis on foreign projects, as they strengthen the operations in this country, strengthen Icelandic scientific work in general, strengthen the economy and ultimately the benefits to the general Icelander in the form of more and more diverse employment opportunities. for the country.

Icelanders pay a considerable amount to joint research funds in Europe, and with foreign scientific collaboration, that funding can in fact be recovered, with a good return if done well. The basis for this is a strong core of scientists and it is present in Matís. We are increasingly finding that we are being looked at by foreign parties, as the results of our foreign co-operation projects have been good. We have many desirable things to offer and we can strengthen Iceland's position with the knowledge we acquire through this co-operation. Through international projects, we gain access to facilities we would not otherwise have and a connection to expertise in specific areas.

With increased international scientific collaboration, it can be said that a leaf is broken. Icelanders have known about the export of goods for centuries, and it is worth mentioning the fishing industry. This includes both the export of raw materials and also more processed products. In our scientific work, it can be said that we are moving from the export of raw materials to the utilization of Icelandic knowledge of food production, the nation's basic industry through the centuries. Because we turn "knowledge raw materials" into an even more valuable product that we can both use in further efforts abroad and also here at home, for development in food production. In addition to us at Matís, other domestic researchers, institutions, universities and companies benefit from this.

Matís' structure and the company's priorities enable us to advance abroad. We have expertise in many aspects of the fisheries sector and we can also mention unique conditions for biotechnology research in this country due to, for example, the thermal areas, glaciers and nature both on land and in the sea. Many industries could therefore benefit from the foreign work that Matís has started, but not least the opportunities are clearest in the fisheries sector. New emphases in this field include market-related projects and emphases related to environmental issues and environmental impact. We Icelanders certainly have the opportunity to create an even stronger position in the world's product markets with our fish products. Matís International Work will help in that work in the coming years.

A similar story is being told about Icelandic agriculture. This field will open up opportunities in the near future abroad, not least with increased scientific and research work. Matís also looks at their possibilities.

Our scientists perceive that abroad we have a reputation to build on. Not just because we are Icelanders but because we can, know and know.

Iceland lags far behind Norway when it comes to funding research and development projects in the fisheries sector. If Norway's methodology were followed, funding for research and development would be around ISK 2 billion more per year.

Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, raised the question at the recent general meeting of the Association of Fish Processing Plants whether Norway should be considered for research and development, and whether the Icelandic fisheries sector could be strengthened by adopting their methodology for financing.
Sveinn says that the value chain of the fisheries sector, fisheries and processing, underpins funds for fisheries-related research and development in Norway, as well as general research funds. Thus, Norway imposes taxes on the export value of marine products, which amounts to 1.05 percentage points of the total and returns ISK 11.4 billion. Comparable fees in Iceland would yield 2.3 billion, while the export value of marine products in this country was 220 billion in 2010.

Sveinn says that it is not unnatural in his mind, given the importance of the fishing industry in Iceland, that the industry has the most powerful tools for development. "Iceland is lagging behind the Norwegians in this respect, and in fact this applies to other countries. However, the comparison is very realistic with Norway, as we are outside the EU and the fisheries sector is very important in both countries. "

In 2010, AVS, the research fund of the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, raised ISK 306 million, but the fund is financed from each year's budget. Sveinn says it is an exaggeration to say that the company finances the fund in Norway, but public funds are used here. Fishing and processing contribute to the community, which is utilized through the fund.

The Norwegian Fund, the FHF Fund, is managed by people appointed by the fisheries and aquaculture industry, as it was established on the initiative of the industry. The Minister appoints the board of AVS and is professionally responsible in Iceland.

Norway runs the Export Council for Seafood (Eksportudvalget), which has operations in twelve countries. The role is to analyze the position of Norwegian products in the markets, gather information about opportunities and promote promotion.

"We really have nothing comparable. After the sales organization changed its role, no Icelandic party is comparable. Many strong parties are marketing fish and seafood, but there is a smaller overall view of the industry's marketing in Iceland than in Norway, "says Sveinn.

For further information Sveinn Margeirsson CEO of Matís.

As in recent years, Matís does not send out traditional Christmas cards, but only cards in electronic form. Instead, Matís sponsors SKB, a sponsoring association for children with cancer

It is Matís' wish that the grant be put to good use and further support the excellent work that is already being done at SKB.

Further information can be found on SKB's website, www.skb.is.

Matís' report has been published with the results of a study that was set up with the aim of examining consumption habits and attitudes related to seafood among Icelanders aged 18-80.

A survey was set up online and letters were sent to a sample from Statistics Iceland in June 2011 and responses were received from 525 people. The aim was also to examine the changes that have taken place in Icelanders' attitudes and fish consumption since the last figures were published in 2006 for people aged 18-26. Attitudes and consumption of Icelanders were analyzed by gender, age, place of residence, education, monthly household income before tax, number in the household and number of children under 18 in the household.

On average, Icelanders eat fish as a main course about twice a week. Haddock is the most popular species on the tables of the people and is consumed about once a week, followed by cod. On average, Icelanders take fish oil about four times a week, but in total about half of Icelanders take fish oil daily and 62% three times a week or more. In general, Icelanders seem to eat fresh but frozen fish more often and very little is bought from prepared fish dishes chilled or frozen. Attitudes towards eating fish are generally very positive and the vast majority consider fish healthy and good. Most people believe that family has the most encouraging effect on fish consumption and that a wider budget, easier access to fresh fish and a wider range of fish could have an effect on increased fish consumption.

There is a big difference between fish consumption and the attitudes of men and women. Women prefer to buy food and place more emphasis on hygiene, freshness, accessibility and price. They are also of the opinion that it is expensive to eat fish. There was a significant difference between age groups, both in terms of total fish consumption frequency, consumption of different fish products and attitudes. Fish consumption increases with age, as does fish oil consumption. The emphasis on hygiene is lower among younger people. There was a difference in the consumption behavior and consumption of different fish species and products according to residence, which can probably be largely explained by traditions and different supply of fish. Most people, especially those in the older age group, find it rather expensive to eat fish. On the other hand, they find fish more valuable than younger ones. However, it seems that the youngest group is even willing to pay more for fish, as they are of the opinion that a wider range of ready-made fish dishes and fish dishes in restaurants could have an effect on increased fish consumption.

Positive changes have taken place in fish consumption and attitudes of people aged 18-26 in the last five years. This group is now more in favor of fish and the frequency of fish consumption has increased somewhat, which is mainly explained by increased fish consumption outside the home. Consumption of fish oil and diversity in the choice of seafood seems to have increased. In this age group, there has been an increase in the consumption of fresh fish, sushi, salted fish and chilled semi-prepared dishes.

The full report can be found here. Other reports and other published material from Matís can be found here.

For further information Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir at Matís.

Doctoral dissertation in food science at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition at the School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland. Effects of different processes of action on the physical and chemical properties of fully processed salted fish.

On Wednesday 14 December. is defending his doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, University of Iceland. Food scientist Minh Van Nguyen is defending his doctoral dissertation "The Effects of Different Processing Methods on the Physicochemical Properties of Heavily Salted Cod".

Opponents are dr. José Manuel Barat Baviera, Professor of Food Science, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia in Spain, and dr. Hörður G. Kristinsson, division and research director of Matís ohf. The instructor was Sigurjón Arason, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, University of Iceland and Chief Engineer at Matís ohf.

Dr. Inga Þórsdóttir, professor and president of the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, will chair the ceremony, which will take place in the Celebration Hall of the University of Iceland in the Main Building and will begin at 14:00.

Abstract from the study
Salted fish has been produced in Iceland and other countries since the 16th century. In recent years, the salting process of salted fish has developed a lot with the aim of improving the utilization and maintaining the quality of salted products during transport and storage. The process consists of different stages of salting and processing. It starts with pre-salting, spraying and / or pickling followed by dry salting. Appearance is a key factor when it comes to classifying products by quality. Jaundice that can be traced to muscle development can cause severe deterioration in quality. As a result, manufacturers' interest in the use of additives (such as polyphosphate) that can reduce development has increased. At present, however, phosphates have not been authorized as additives in salted fish processing. Scientific information on the activity and fate of phosphate in salted cod products is very limited.

The aim of this study was to gain a deeper knowledge of salted fish processing, with observations of mass flow and changes in the structure of proteins at different salt concentrations during pre-salting, as well as anti-corrosion properties and phosphate degradation in salted fish products. Furthermore, the effect of potassium ferrocyyanide (CN), a salt antifouling agent, on the oxidation (oxidation) of fats was investigated. In addition, the quality changes of salted cod were monitored at different storage temperatures.

The salinity of brine in pre-salting had a significant effect on the flow of salt and water into the muscle and thus on utilization and salting rate. Changes in protein imaging were dependent on the salinity of the muscle phase of the muscle Z- (NaCl), which could be explained by the salting-in of low-salt proteins (Z- (NaCl) <6%) and the de-salting-out of high-salt proteins ( Z- (NaCl)> 6%). The results showed that at Z- (NaCl) = 15%, the separation of dehydration and dehydration of proteins by brine was.

The results also showed that yellowing during salted fish processing is due to development and breakdown of fat. Development became faster with higher CN strength. However, the use of phosphate in the pre-salting process significantly decreased. To monitor the evolution (oxidation) of fat during the salting and storage of salted fish, measurements of fat derivatives (TBARS), spectra (b * values) and fluorescence were found. For) bestar. This study confirms that fluorescence measurements give a good picture of the amount of third-degree images during the development of salted fish products. It is not recommended to store products below -1 ° C. Storage at -4 ° C had a negative effect on quality, the color was darker and the amount of TVB-N higher than at the normal storage temperature (2 ° C).

Changes in the amount and composition of phosphate were determined by ion chromatography (IC) and spectrophotometric method. The added tri- and pyrophosphates decomposed in the salting process, i.e. pre-salting, dry salting, storage and dehydration. Most of the added and natural phosphates were flushed out of the muscle during dehydration. However, residues of added phosphates in dehydrated products could still be detected. There were differences in the results according to measurement methods, with IC the total amount of phosphate was lower than with light absorption measurement.

The doctoral dissertation is based on six scientific articles, of which four articles are already published in international scientific journals and two more have been submitted for publication.

In addition to the supervisor were on the doctoral committee Guðjón Þorkelsson, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, University of Iceland and Head of Department at Matís ohf., dr. Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir, professor at the Faculty of Food and Nutrition, University of Iceland, and dr. Kristín Anna Þórarinsdóttir, specialist manager at Matís ohf.

The United Nations University School of Fisheries awarded Minh Van Nguyen a scholarship and Matís ohf. provided his research facilities. The study belonged to projects funded by the AVS Fisheries Research Fund and the Technology Development Fund.

Starts: 14/12/2011 - 14:00
Location: Main building
Further location: Celebration hall

About the doctoral dissertation
Minh Van Nguyen was born in 1977 in Vietnam. He earned a bachelor's degree in food science in 2000 and an MS degree in 2004 from the Faculty of Aquatic Products Processing, Nha Trang University (NTU) in Vietnam. Since 2000, Minh Van Nguyen has been a lecturer in food science at Nha Trang University (NTU).

Minh Van Nguyen is married to Hoang Hai Yen and they have daughters Nguyen Thai Ha Anh and Nguyen Thai Ha Linh.

For further information Sigurjón Arason at Matís and the University of Iceland website, www.hi.is.