Projects / Programmes
Research for improvement of safe food and health
January 1, 2019
- December 31, 2024
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
| 3.07.00 |
Medical sciences |
Metabolic and hormonal disorders |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B006 |
Biomedical sciences |
Agronomics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
| 3.02 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Clinical medicine |
food production/ food processing/ food safety/ health
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
June 8, 2023;
A3 for period
2017-2021
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
942 |
19,817 |
18,345 |
19.47 |
| Scopus |
943 |
22,708 |
21,060 |
22.33 |
Researchers (34)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Based on the results from long-term trial and some others with different field crops and vegetables in four production systems were evaluated using LCA method for determination of their impact on environment. In the field of fruit production, storage of fruits of higher quality, as well as technological measurments in cultivation and afforestation technologies were determined. We developed non-destructive and semidestructive methods for monitoring the quality and optimal harvest time.
Research in viticulture included the issues of effects of climate change on vines and the possibilities of adapting production technologies and the selection of appropriate varieties in the rootstocks, including varieties for table grapes.
Breeding and chemical evaluation of taro were ended with publishing three breeding protocols in frame of INEA project. The breeding of oil pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. subsp. Pepo var. Styriaca Grebenšč.) was based on a modified recurrent selection, and intra and interspecies crosses formed genetic variability. The study of breeding elderberries was based on interspecies crosses, which included 5 species (Sambucus cerulea, S. ebulus, S. javanica, S. nigra and S. racemosa). The process of breeding was associated with the analysis of the variability of secondary metabolites in extracts of inflorescences and fruits. In the frame sustainable forage production, winter cover plants as forage and their impact on unwanted emissions (N, C,..) into environment were estimated. Grassland diversity were elucidate in eastern and central Europe by studying the fragmentation of grasslands in the agricultural landscape. Ethological segment of the research program covered investigated mechanisms of behavior of piglets in the early stages of lactation) and post-weaning period. To study the reduction of environmental burdens due to the introduction of new soil tillage technologies and the use of alternative energy sources in greenhouses, we estimated the environmental footprint (SPIonWeb).
The development of new modelling tools in agricultural economics has been linked with the application of these for solving rural development issues (market paths, food quality labelling,…).
A study of mechanisms of action of probiotic bacteria in prevention of the metabolic syndrome was performed within the food safety and health research area. An in vitro laboratory study, which investigated the mechanisms of probiotic/protective bacterial action in the prevention of metabolic syndrome using cell lines of the human intestinal epithelium, human monocytes / macrophages and human visceral preadipocytes, was performed. We also developed a model of the epithelial cell line of the small intestine of chicken and checked the functioning of plant extracts rich in hydrolysing tannins, their optimal concentration, antioxidant potential, bioavailability and immunological activation of cells.
Significance for science
The general research strategy of the research program is to obtain new basic knowledge that will enable their application due to climate change the use of natural resources (climate, soil, water, biodiversity, ecosystems services, ..) with good agronomic (genetic improvement, plant protection, ..) and animal husbandry practices (animal welfare, ...) to obtain quality and healthy food for the people of our society. This knowledge will continue to be used to ensure safe food throughout the food chain, and thus also affect the quality of life and contribute to the sustainable and economic development of Slovenia and the reputation of the Slovenian scientific and economic sphere in Europe and the world.
I: FOOD PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
With production technologies and systems that enable the production of safe foods obtained in a closed circuit, they provide basic procedures that can influence on the optimization of sustainability, energy use and food safety, taking into account climate change. Using original research approaches, methods and originality in data processing, we will make a significant contribution to the results of research on the development of science both in the plant and in the livestock farming sector. The development of new agriculture economic methods and its successful application in the field of agro-food and rural development will be important contribute to the development of science and the agricultural industry.
In the livestock production there is a gap perceived on the basic biological knowledge of domestic animals, which does not follow to the accelerated growing of the other fields within livestock branch. Human driven changes in the natural cycle of animals require basic biological knowledge, which represent an invaluable scientific contribution in the field of mammalian biology. It present the core for understanding and enforcement of the "Animal welfare" standard of farm animals in animal husbandry. The use of normal cell lines of the intestinal tract in the research of the activity of plant additives gives our work a higher functionality and usability with regard to the expected results and represent a step towards greater resilience with the actual in vivo situation in the digestive tract. In addition, rapid development of accurate methods of NIR spectroscopy and neural networks will be an important scientific development in the field of meat quality.
II: FOODA SAFETY AND HEALTHSKLOP
Within the food safety and health research area, we will further try to enlarge basic knowledge in the field of interaction of probiotic bacteria and pathogens, colonization and invasion of the small intestine epithelium. Studies of probiotic mechanisms based on cell-molecular levels are scares. These findings are important for the purposes of prevention and treatment of existing and future pathogens, which could be transmitted by food. For many chemical pollutants, xenobiotics and functional ingredients in food is not known their impact on cell physiology and human health, nor does their rate of absorption from food. The development of in vitro cell models and the validation of their use is an important part of reducing the use of experimental animals in research studies.
Significance for the country
Setting program priorities is an important means of facilitating the scientific and technological advances needed to meet the challenges facing Slovene (and world agriculture). The program priorities encompass several strategic goals of Slovenian agriculture:
1. Enhancing economic opportunities for agricultural producers, in order to increase the competitiveness of Slovene agriculture.
2. Improving human health and well-being through an abundant, safe, agricultural ecosystem.
3. Popularization of Slovenia in the world.
I. FOOD PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
Optimizing of agriculture production systems can contribute to greater food self-sufficiency, preserve cultivated landscape, improve the quality and safety of food and reduce the negative impacts of agricultural production on the environment. The appropriate choice of production system can also contribute to greater economic efficiency and social security of the human population. Including proper alternative crops for Slovenian agro ecological conditions could be potential for production of natural functional food and innovations in food processing.
Improving production systems will increase ability of providing safe and healthy food, as well as the contribution to the conservation of environment, and species and landscape diversity. The results will contribute to the increased interest for organic and sustainable farming. An important input to the engineering knowledge development is expected and usefulness of the results in the practice.
Slovenian agriculture is (in) directly integrated into the habitat of most of the population, so documented and traceable activity is of utmost importance for the production of safe food and to build confidence among the rural and urban populations. Finding alternative activities on the farm, that include making combined heat and electrical power can reduce the dependence of biogas crops (corn), and increases self-sufficiency (short rotation forestry).
Progression of knowledge of biological/natural background of animals, included into human food system, could represent a crucially aid in animal breeding systems rationalization (economy, environment conservation). Indeed, basic biological knowledge plays an important role in introduction of specific, to the local environment adjusted animal breeding systems. Moreover, such knowledge could indirectly stimulate conservation of Slovenian autochthon and traditional breeds.
Development of practical applications for the assessment of carcass and meat quality will be useful for all participants in the meat chain (breeders, breeding services, meat processing industry, consumers) in terms of determining the suitability of meat for further processing, for providing safe and tasty meat, for rapid and inexpensive analysis of meat quality indicators, for routine testing of genetic lines in breeding and selection programs, etc.).
II. FOOD SAFETY AND HEALTH
The public has a general negative attitude to animal testing. Therefore is development of cellular models for testing toxicity and the development of new functional foods necessary for ethical reasons. Consumer has less hesitation to use such products with required standards of food safety for consumption. The development of functional foods could lead to a patent protection and it will be an opportunity for the development of Slovenian food industry.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
