Nourish-Nutrigenomics: "being competitive requires having access to science more pioneer"
What are they engaged and in which fields linked to the food sector works the Center?
First of all, we aren't technological centre as such, but a research group. Possibly, within Tecnio, we fit as 'Innovation Centre'. In a nutshell, nourish is a research team from the University of Lleida, with experience in nutrition and aging. Basically, we generate cutting-edge knowledge on nutritional control of aging, diseases associated with age (diabetes, obesity, hypertension, for example) and the study of neurodegenerative diseases. In the food sector, we work in the field of functional food: we evaluate and certify, in a scientific way, the healthy properties of new ingredients and products that are released to the market. I.e., we carry out function of the product tests in relevant biological systems, to justify this functional property which is intended to claim on the label. However, a large part of the research of feed-Nutrigenomics is directed to the biomedical sector with the discovery and validation of biomarkers of oxidative stress, closely linked to the basic processes of aging and longevity.
What are the main projects, within the food and beverage sector, carried out currently?
In feed, we try that our results are useful to biomedical and agro-food sectors. In the field of innovation, we have worked with companies in the agri-food sector dedicated to confectionery; functional ingredients, dried fruits, products, and dairy desserts; drinks plants like soy or tea green and to the production of vegetables, especially varieties of onion, during the past four years. Thus, we have participated in the Cenit programme, two projects for the study of ingredients and functional foods; the Innoempresa and CDTI program on the market of products and desserts dairy for innovation projects of SMEs and Innovation 4 Welfare Programme, which funds innovative proposals that contribute to the creation of products and support services to the health and safety of human beingsto name a few.
V meeting of innovation and technology, which took place in the framework of Alimentaria 2010, said that despite the crisis and its effects on the balance of many linked to food and beverage companies, you are allocated more resources in the field of innovation during the year 2009. What think you of increasing investment in innovation despite the economic situation?
Today, the agri-food companies are aware that they need to become more competitive, developing innovative products that stand out in the market. However, being competitive requires, at times, have access to new technologies and science more pioneer. This is the reason for the greater confidence of companies in the technological agents located in universities and science parks, as engines of its innovation and development.
