Cel
General Background
Within the Agri-Food industry in recent years changes have occurred which have had a major impact on its structure. In many sectors of this industry we are dealing with a changed market situation in which production levels are larger than market demands. This holds true also for fruit and vegetable commodities and products. As a consequence the role of the consumer becomes increasingly important. Generally the consumer is better informed and there is a growing demand for products with specific and constant quality characteristics. Also the consumer perception of quality has changed in that it encompasses not only product characteristics such as flavour, texture, healthiness, nutritional value and appearance but also aspects related to production methods such as the use of agrochemicals, type of packaging material etc.
To meet these demands a new type of approach is needed.
Improved quality of the end-product requires quality throughout the production chain and collaboration between the various scientific disciplines active in this field.
Recent developments in the area of biotechnology and biochemical and molecular aspects of plant physiology have shown that there are good perspectives for improvement of product quality by objectivation of quality measurement and development of technological methods to meet consumer demands for specific and constant quality for fruit and vegetable commodities and products.
The importance of the proposed COST Action lies in the integral approach in the whole production chain. Activities in links of the chain are important but they should be considered as links within a total of activities, aiming at the development of systems of "Quality Modelling" and "Integrated Chain Control".
Fruit and vegetables have received limited attention by a study under the FLAIR programme (AGRF.0029- The influence of endogenous enzymes on the flavour quality and shelf-life of vegetables and herbs; AGRF.0031- Study of the characteristics of raw material for the manufacturer of ready-to-use-fruits) but do not consider the effect of processed product. This project would fill this information gap.
In the COST Action-94 a network of researchers originating from institutes, universities and industries was established. The transfer of results from research to small and medium-sized enterprises and journals through the organization of workshops, seminars and symposia as well as by exchange of young scientists between participating laboratories proved very valuable.
The Action finishes at the end of 1994 and the following results should be mentioned.
There were 8 meetings of the Management committee in 6 countries (EU, EFTA and Slovenia and Turkey), one further meeting is planned for October 1994.
Five different workshops were organized. These workshops were focused on the working area of the COST-94 Action on "Post-Harvest treatment of Fruit and Vegetables" and they were specially organized in countries to attract more interest and participants for this area of research and the COST Action.
The first workshop was held in Karlsruhe and dealt with physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of ripening processes in fruits and vegetables. The second was held in Istanbul and dealt with modified atmosphere packaging methods and storage diseases and spoilage of fruit and vegetables. The third was held in Milan and dealt with controlled atmosphere storage methods. The fourth meeting was held in Louvain and dealt with Systems development and Operations technology. The fifth workshop was held in Ljubljana and dealt with quality criteria for fruit and vegetables. The meetings attracted a lot of attention of local scientists which were encouraged to contribute to the meetings by presenting their work. Many contacts were established between scientists from the organizing country and scientists from other countries participating in the meetings. In total scientists from 20 different countries participated in the workshops.
The final meeting will be in the form of a three-day symposium to be held in Wageningen next October. In this symposium a review will be given on the previous workshops by the respective organizers. In addition there will be ample opportunity to present new scientific developments. Finally several speakers are invited to present an outlook of the perspectives in the various working fields covered by the workshops held within the framework of the COST 94 Action.
Four proceedings books (Karlsruhe, Istanbul, Milan and Louvain) have been prepared for publication and two more will be published (Ljubljana, Wageningen). Meetings have resulted in more co-operation between participants on specific subjects such as Modified Atmosphere Packaging of mushrooms.
Objectives of the proposed Action
1. Tailoring the quality of fruit and vegetables and their products to meet consumer demands.
2. Understanding the relationship between quality perception and the underlying biochemical and physiological processes.
3. Identify the relationship between raw material properties and quality of end-product.
Scientific Content
1. CONSUMER QUALITY DEMANDS
Consumer perceived quality of fruit and vegetables encompasses intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic quality parameters relate to the physical-chemical properties of the product itself such as texture, flavour, nutritional value and appearance whereas extrinsic quality parameters are associated with the production methods such as use of agrochemicals and type of packaging material.
Topics:
- Development of objective, non-destructive and fast quality measurement systems to monitor quality changes in the production chain and predict shelf-life;
- Development of intelligent storage and handling systems to optimize product quality;
- Improvement of packaging systems from both a product oriented and environmental approach;
- Improvement of biological and physical methods to control spoilage.
2. UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN QUALITY PERCEPTION AND THE UNDERLYING BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES
Post-harvest quality of fruits and vegetables and their products is by definition associated with prevention of quality loss caused by processes such as ripening, senescence.
Recent developments in the area of biotechnology enable new approaches to minimize quality loss and develop environmentally friendly storage and handling systems.
Topics:
- Identify the physio-chemical, biochemical, physiological and microbiological basis of quality perception;
- Interaction between product quality and stress factors such as temperature, relative humidity, atmosphere and light.
3. IDENTIFY THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN RAW MATERIAL PROPERTIES AND QUALITY OF END-PRODUCTS
In recent years new tools have emerged from molecular biological research which can be applied to get a better understanding of the impact of raw material composition on end-product quality and a suitable adaption of production systems.
Topics:
- Identify biochemical and molecular determinants of end-product quality;
- Design new production systems based on raw material properties.
4. MODELLING OF QUALITY AND INTEGRATED CHAIN CONTROL
The approach outlined in the first three paragraphs will result in models integrating pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions and production systems, which can be used by the different links in the production chain to meet consumer demands. Quality modelling systems describe quality changes in relation to environmental conditions. These systems can be used to predict product quality under a given set of environmental conditions. Integrated chain control systems are support systems for decision makers. They describe all aspects of the production chain and link product quality and economical benefit enabling optimization of product quality.
Topics:
- Development of "Quality Modelling" systems;
- Development of "Integrated Chain Control" systems.
Timetable
The project is planned for five years. The specific time schedule and lists of tasks (including the definition and creation of working groups for studying specific topics) will be established at the first meeting of the Management Committee. There will be a yearly evaluation describing what is achieved and which goals should be reached the next year.
First year
Working groups will develop a working plan, which will result in a plan of action for the first and following years, covering specific themes and special subjects.
Second year
After the yearly evaluation scientific meetings (workshops, symposia) will be organized following the working plan.
Third, fourth and fifth year
Depending on the results of the yearly evaluation by the management committee the original working plan will be followed. A final meeting summing up the achievements will conclude the Action.
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
A Management Committee will be set up following the signing by the appropriate number of signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding. This Committee will work out its rules of operation at its first formal meeting in accordance with existing COST regulations. The Management Committee meets as a maximum three times per year to review progress and take action if required.
The Action will be co-ordinated by a chairperson in collaboration with the Action (secretary) scientific officer who will be responsible for co-ordinating activities and ensuring that the action will meet the overall objectives. Working group leaders will be selected for each theme within the scientific programme.
The information exchange between participants will be facilitated through the use of fax and/or electronic mail.
Original results for the research will be disseminated through joint communications in recognized scientific journals.
It is anticipated that 2 or 3 workshops per year will be arranged during the COST Action, preferably at one of the participating laboratories. From these workshops proceedings will be produced.
Within the COST Action collaborative short-term research projects will be initiated between participants.
To reinforce the research activities falling within the COST Action initiatives will be taken to start collaborative projects within the Eureka-Euoragri umbrella.
Annual reports will be produced for the COST senior officials and a detailed Final report, based on reports produced throughout the Action, will be written.
ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF THE ACTION
From the interest to date shown in this COST Action the estimated effort in the joint European network is about 120 man/years, which involves a total estimated cost of approximately 7 000 000 ecu/year.
This budget is covered from national sources in participating countries.
Current Status
In view of the large research area and the number of signatories (18 countries), the Management Committee has decided to establish five working groups relevant to COST 915. For each working group an inventory was made of research topics with high priority.
Working group on Fresh products
Topics :
Molecular and Physical methods to measure product quality
Model systems for ripening and ageing
New packaging systems
New methods to prevent microbial spoilage
New methods to prevent physiological disorders
Working group on Processing technologies
Topics :
New processing technologies
Mild processing and combined processes
Bioactive components in food products
Hurdle technology and Food safety
Working group on Systems and modelling
Topics :
Disease models
Quality management in production and distribution
Quality modelling at the product level
Measurement units and measurement technologies in production, storage and handling
Control technology
Working group on Consumer perception and end-product quality
Topics :
Flavour and sensory quality
Texture and cultivation,
Consumer preference and perception
Physiological processes related to quality
Working group on Optimal harvest date
Topics :
Predictive models for optimal harvest date
Models for growth and production
On the basis of this inventory a working plan was established and the Management Committee agreed that each working group should organise two workshops. Furthermore, the working groups were responsible for the co-ordination and planning of additional activity in the particular research areas. Three 'plugged-in' projects were approved by the Management Committee.
Dziedzina nauki (EuroSciVoc)
Klasyfikacja projektów w serwisie CORDIS opiera się na wielojęzycznej taksonomii EuroSciVoc, obejmującej wszystkie dziedziny nauki, w oparciu o półautomatyczny proces bazujący na technikach przetwarzania języka naturalnego. Więcej informacji: Europejski Słownik Naukowy.
Klasyfikacja projektów w serwisie CORDIS opiera się na wielojęzycznej taksonomii EuroSciVoc, obejmującej wszystkie dziedziny nauki, w oparciu o półautomatyczny proces bazujący na technikach przetwarzania języka naturalnego. Więcej informacji: Europejski Słownik Naukowy.
Projekt nie został jeszcze sklasyfikowany według klasyfikacji EuroSciVoc.
Wskaż dziedziny nauki, które twoim zdaniem są najbardziej istotne z punktu widzenia tego projektu i pomóż nam usprawnić naszą usługę klasyfikacji.
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Program(-y)
Wieloletnie programy finansowania, które określają priorytety Unii Europejskiej w obszarach badań naukowych i innowacji.
Wieloletnie programy finansowania, które określają priorytety Unii Europejskiej w obszarach badań naukowych i innowacji.
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Zaproszenia do składania wniosków dzielą się na tematy. Każdy temat określa wybrany obszar lub wybrane zagadnienie, których powinny dotyczyć wnioski składane przez wnioskodawców. Opis tematu obejmuje jego szczegółowy zakres i oczekiwane oddziaływanie finansowanego projektu.
Zaproszenia do składania wniosków dzielą się na tematy. Każdy temat określa wybrany obszar lub wybrane zagadnienie, których powinny dotyczyć wnioski składane przez wnioskodawców. Opis tematu obejmuje jego szczegółowy zakres i oczekiwane oddziaływanie finansowanego projektu.
Zaproszenie do składania wniosków
Procedura zapraszania wnioskodawców do składania wniosków projektowych w celu uzyskania finansowania ze środków Unii Europejskiej.
Brak dostępnych danych
Procedura zapraszania wnioskodawców do składania wniosków projektowych w celu uzyskania finansowania ze środków Unii Europejskiej.
System finansowania
Program finansowania (lub „rodzaj działania”) realizowany w ramach programu o wspólnych cechach. Określa zakres finansowania, stawkę zwrotu kosztów, szczegółowe kryteria oceny kwalifikowalności kosztów w celu ich finansowania oraz stosowanie uproszczonych form rozliczania kosztów, takich jak rozliczanie ryczałtowe.
Program finansowania (lub „rodzaj działania”) realizowany w ramach programu o wspólnych cechach. Określa zakres finansowania, stawkę zwrotu kosztów, szczegółowe kryteria oceny kwalifikowalności kosztów w celu ich finansowania oraz stosowanie uproszczonych form rozliczania kosztów, takich jak rozliczanie ryczałtowe.
Brak dostępnych danych
Koordynator
1049 Brussels
Belgia
Ogół kosztów poniesionych przez organizację w związku z uczestnictwem w projekcie. Obejmuje koszty bezpośrednie i pośrednie. Kwota stanowi część całkowitego budżetu projektu.