Projects / Programmes
The use of speciific methods for determination and prevention of adulteration of milk and dairy products
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
4.02.04 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Animal production |
Processing of animal raw materials |
Code |
Science |
Field |
B420 |
Biomedical sciences |
Nutrition |
Code |
Science |
Field |
4.02 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Animal and Dairy science |
authentification, milk, dairy products, stable isotopes, PCR, labeling, Slovenian market
Researchers (10)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
In recent years the European Union (EU) put significant efforts to promote activities and research in the field of authenticity of food and its traceability. The proposed project deals with the determination of the authenticity of milk and dairy products using different specific methods and approaches. Due to their high nutrient content milk and dairy products represent an important part in the healthy balanced diet. As milk and dairy products are in considerable demand and relatively expensive, they are vulnerable to economic adulteration. Thus it is also valuable to ensure fair competition and as a mean of protecting consumers against fraud due to mislabelling. The main objective of the proposed project is the introduction and validation of specific methods such as the use of stable isotopes of light elements and PCR in real time to determine the »hidden« adulteration, which can not be detected using standard analytical methods and used them to analysed the situation in practice. Elemental composition in milk and dairy products will also be studied in order to detect possible contamination during the technological process. These methods will be used on milk and dairy samples available on market to examine the real situation in Slovenia. Further with ?18O in ?D values determined in milk and groundwater we will try to detect possible addition of water to milk, which is one of the big problems that Slovenian milk producers have with their suppliers. On the basis of the obtained results we will be able to produce standard operating procedures for monitoring and identifying the type of adulteration of milk and dairy products. The interdisciplinary relationship within the project team will enable a range of innovative approaches and methods that will implement our knowledge in the field of the authenticity of milk and dairy products and will support the relevant government parties and end-users to improve the competitiveness of Slovenia in Europe and the world. Young researchers actively involved in the project will be familiar with the methodology and problems concerning adulteration of food products. The data on the quality and authenticity of milk and dairy products will be public available and presented at organized workshops and seminars.
Significance for science
The project included a combination of different analytical methods and approaches that will contribute to the production of large-scale databases and represents the scientific basis for the development and introduction of different models. We have developed and implemented a new method for determining the authenticity and geographical origin of milk and dairy products. Based on a combination of stable isotopes and molecular genetics (real-time PCR) we have shown that it is possible to detect "hidden" falsifications of milk and dairy products, which was not feasible using standard procedures. Further, the first database of genuine Slovenian cow, sheep and goat milk has been established, which includes isotopic parameters (isotopic composition of oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen and carbon in the casein fatty acids), elemental composition and fatty acid composition. The results of the project represents an important foundation from which to develop and select methods for the implementation of official control of foodstuffs and food systems to ensure the traceability of raw materials and agricultural products in our case, milk and dairy products. With the possibility of proving authenticity of milk and dairy products, it becomes possible to protect both the quality of dairy products and the consumer. Our project has shown that even low-cost Slovenian cheeses available on the market are genuine. Furthermore, this project provided an excellent opportunity to cooperate with the Slovenian dairy industry, which is interested in actively participating in such studies since they realize that they can compete in the global marketplace only by protecting their products integrity and maintaining their high quality.
Significance for the country
The outcome of this project is also important for the social and economic development of Slovenia. The first database of authentic Slovenian milk and dairy products has been established, which includes both isotopic and elemental parameters. Using the new knowledge and experience gained and methods developed within this project it is now possible to follow current trends within the EU regarding controlling the authenticity, quality and traceability of food products. Over the long-term, the generation of isotopic and multi-element maps of foods from different geographical locations could be incorporated into traceability systems. These maps will assist in determining the origin of food at the global level. The project's conclusions also support the development of a system for monitoring food products and the development of methods for food control. This interdisciplinary approach typically uses a range of innovative methodologies that will upgrade our knowledge in the field of nutrition and authentication to support the relevant government bodies and users. This in turn will improve the competitive ability of Slovenia both in Europe and in the rest of the world. By focusing on the food industry, in our case the dairy industry, co-operation with Slovenian industry will be enhanced by preparing new products and foodstuff. The Slovenian dairy industry is small in comparison with other EU dairies and competitiveness can only be maintained on the basis of quality. The results of this project will help food producers develop quality schemes certified by approved inspection bodies to control quality (and hence the value of labelling) of regionally defined foodstuff. These approaches will strengthen the competitiveness of the whole agro-food chain and at the same time protect the consumer and the good name of the country. The objectives of the project are also in line with the Slovenian smart specialization strategy, where food security is one of its priority areas.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report