Objective
At the present time the causes of spoilage in vacuum-packaged cold-smoked fish, are largely unknown. Specific spoilage organisms have not been identified, nor the biochemical or physical course(s) of degradation known. Similarly, there are no agreed measures of quality of cold-smoked fish nor means of estimating shelf-life. This Proposal seeks to understand the causes of deterioration, and to establish objective quality indices. On determining the mechanisms of loss of quality, it will be possible to develop rapid, simple, quantitative, microbiological and physicochemical means for their quality measurement in cold-smoked fish, leading to potential methods for estimating shelf-life.
Cold-smoked fish are often contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism capable of causing serious, often fatal, disease in susceptible individuals. Although no cases of listeriosis have been attributed to consumption of cold-smoked fish, it is clearly necessary to minimise the risk to consumers from this hazard in food. This Proposal will investigate the frequency of occurrence of this organism in European cold-smoked fish and the biotypes present, and compare these with biotypes isolated from other foods and from cases of listeriosis by reference to work in other laboratories. The Proposal will establish the source(s) of the organism, and the route(s) of contamination within processing facilities, by determining the spread of biotypes. The efficacy of fish processing and sanitising procedures in controlling Listeria spp. within the processing plants will be studied, and the effects of modifications to procedures evaluated.
Several strains of inhibitory lactic acid bacteria are available from current or previous research projects funded by the EU Commission, and are held by some of the Partners in this Proposal. Such strains will be examined for their ability to kill or inhibit L. monocytogenes and specific spoilage organisms in conditions simulating cold-smoked fish. The application of these selected lactic acid bacteria and/or their inhibitory products (e.g. bacteriocins) and already shown to be effective against Listeria spp. and spoilage organisms in other situations, will be investigated as additional hurdles for the control or elimination of L. monocytogenes in cold-smoked fish, and to extend the shelf-life.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
4200 PORTO
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.