ValorTech
ERA Chair for Food (By-) Products Valorisation Technologies
News and Announcements
29.09.
2021
Prof. Bhat gave a talk as an invited speaker at the 4th International Guest Lecture Week
Prof. Bhat was invited as a speaker in the 4th International Guest Lecture Week (Lecture Series/ Webinar), Organized by the Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Surakarta, Indonesia on 29/09/2021. The talk was entitled 'Sustainable food production in the circular economy context. Rajeev shared his expertise on identifying various opportunities for gaining success in sustainable food production on the global scenario- in reference to the circular economy context. There were more than 300 participants coming from various regions who attended this talk.
27.09.
2021
A book was published by Rajeev Bhat
Prof. Rajeev Bhat's new book (Ed.) titled "Valorization of Agri-Food Wastes and By-Products: Recent Trends, Innovations, and Sustainability Challenges" was published in September by a prestigious publisher Elsevier Sciences (Academic Press, UK). With contributions from highly recognized experts in the field, the book covers a vast arena of topics related to the valorization of agri-food wastes/by-products, innovations, and various sustainability challenges encountered in the entire supply chain. The release of the book was highlighted in the EMÜ news section and also by the Estonian Research Information System news portal.
24.09.
2021
Valortech took part in Researchers Night Festival
The Valortech team organised a workshop to introduce the project activities during the Researchers Night Festival. A workstation set up by our team introduced the ways by-products of juice production are managed to get from them the valuable compounds still left in the residues after the juice has been produced. The station with the head title “How to extract natural colours and pectins from fruit and berry by-products” allowed the participants to get a hands-on experience on how to extract pigments and pectins from fruit or berry juice press cake and see what affects the intensity of the different pigment colours.
18.09.
2021
Our team members presented at Garage48 FOOD 2021: Pre-event
In co-organisation with Garage48, Estonian University of Life Sciences and Estonian Research Council, and partnership with Polli Horticultural Research Centre, TFTAK, TalTech, Ministry of Rural Affairs, and BioCC, a hackathon of food technology pre-event was held on 18-19th of September. Valortech team put up two mentors, Katrin Jõgi and Ivi Jõudu. Katrin did a presentation during a topic block: Bio and Circular economy in Food technology, aimed to introduce in more depth the usage of food waste as a potential raw material, and introduced a plan for the participants in the follow-up hackathon event taking place in October 22-24.
01.09.
2021
Visit to Estonian Bread Industry (Eesti Leivatööstus AS)
Rajeev Bhat and Toomas Tiirats visited Estonia's well-established food company Estonian Bread Industry (Eesti Leivatööstus AS) in Tartu (www.eestileib.ee). An interactive meeting was held with the CEO of the company Hannes Mootse. The visit started with a general introduction followed by a scientific discussion on the activities of the ERA-Chair in Valortech by Rajeev and Toomas. Hannes highlighted the Company's contribution to the local Estonian market (on-table discussions over a cup of coffee at the 'Perfecto café). A visit to the production unit was made to have a closer look at various bakery-based products being produced using traditional and modern-day methods. Possible opportunities for collaboration and common interests were mapped. It was identified that the main demand in the market revolves around producing low-cost, economically feasible, safer healthy food products that can meet the local consumers' needs. Options for utilizing the results generated from Valortech researchers and possibilities for future technology transfer were discussed.
27.08.
2021
Prof. Bhat gave an invited talk at COMBIVET symposium
Prof. Rajeev Bhat delivered an invited talk in the symposium on 'Extracellular vesicles in pathophysiology new advances in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in health and disease,' held on 26-27 August 2021, in Tartu. The talk was entitled 'A novel approach for valorization of fruits and vegetable wastes/by-products: Exploring the opportunities for mass production of plant-based extracellular vesicles (EVs).' Rajeev shared his view and expertise on the scope and opportunities for valorization of locally generated fruits and vegetable wastes/by-products (in food industries), and how plant-based EV's could be explored as a mode of carriers of bioactive compounds/molecules onto the human cells.
24.08.
2021
Visit to Murimäe winary
Valortech researchers led by Professors Rajeev Bhat and Kadri Karp (Department of Horticulture, Estonian University of Life Sciences) visited the Murimäe Winery on 24th of August 2021. On the day of the visit, Prof. Kadri Karp introduced the Nordic viticulture system and various agronomic practices involved in the sustainable production of wine. The participants were taken on a short tour around the wine yard, greenhouse, and wine cellar. A wine tasting session of the products (wines of rhubarb, Japanese quince, chokeberry, and grape) was organized. The visit was initiated and organized by one of the Valortech researchers, Reelika Rätsep. Rajeev held discussions with the owner of Murimäe Winery, Janika Ilves, on the raw materials used for wine production and the scope for utilizing/valorizing winery wastes and by-products. Possible future research cooperation opportunities were mapped.
30.06.
2021
Visit to 'Anu Ait OÜ
Rajeev Bhat and Toomas Tiirats visited the locally recognized, well-established agri-food based company 'Anu Ait OÜ' in Tartu city on 30 June 2021. This company, established in late 1990's offers reliable and best solutions for livestock feed production in the local market. Fruitful discussions were held with Anu Hellenurme (CEO of the company) on opportunities for collaborations with ERA-Chair in Valortech activities.
10.06.
2021
Online seminar Smart Thursday
Piia Pääso took part in the Smart Thursday seminar session dedicated to the topic of valorization and more effective usage of different industrial by-products and residues. Piia gave a talk titled “From waste to resource – science based approach" (Jäägist saak – teaduspõhine lähenemine), where she introduced different research approaches and science cooperation opportunities provided in EMU, Polli Horticultural Research Centre and at Valortech chair.
18.05.
2021
A podcast introducing our curricula was recorded
In cooperation with the Rohegeenius portal, a podcast introducing the teaching activities at our chair was recorded. Ivi Jõudu talked about the curricula and the future prospects in the field of food technology.
You can listen to the podcast here.
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06.04.
2021
New publication
A new paper was published by Minaxi Sharma and Rajeev Bhat in the 2021 4th edition of "Foods". The article is titled "Extraction of Carotenoids from Pumpkin Peel and Pulp: Comparison between Innovative Green Extraction Technologies (Ultrasonic and Microwave-Assisted Extractions Using Corn Oil)", and can be accessed here
26.02.
2021
The First meeting of the VALORTECH Advisory Board
On 26th of February, Valortech convened the first meeting of the Advisory Board. The meeting was held in an online format with all of the 5 members of the advisory board as well as the members of the Valortech council present. The ERA Chair provided members with an overview of the project objectives and research activities. A discussion about the role and expectations of the board ensued, marked by insightful exchanges between the council and the Board members.
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26.02.
2021
New publication
A new paper was published in "Critical Reviews in Biotechnology" by Minaxi Sharma et.al.
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You can access the publication here
28.01.
2021
New publication
A paper titled "Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phloretin and Other Phenolic Compounds from Apple Tree Leaves (Malus domestica Borkh.) and Comparison of Different Cultivars from Estonia" was published by Sana Ben Othman et.al.
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You can access the publication here
11.12.
2020
VALORTECH organised a free online
webinar
VALORTECH ERA Chair held a free webinar to introduce the methods for minimization and valorization of food waste/by-products through obtaining value-added bioactive ingredients for potential food applications. The webinar covered different agri-food wastes/by-products for the exploitation of their bio-potential in the form of valuable bioactive ingredients.
The event attracted over 20 participants from various countries, including France, Finland, Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.
20.10.
2020
New publication
VALORTECH PhD students Katrin Jõgi's paper titled "Valorization of food processing wastes and by-products for bioplastic production" was published in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy.
You can access the publication here.
09.10.
2020
VALORTECH workshop /
webinar in Polli
October 8-9 VALORTECH had a hybrid format workshop/webinar on Principles and Techniques for the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds at Polli Horticultural Research Centre. The two-day workshop introduced different techniques and instruments for the extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds. Basics and principles were presented as well as the applications of different methods (supercritical CO2 extraction, ultrasound and microwave assisted extractions).
01.07.
2020
VALORTECH team training in Polli
Valortech staff had a team training in Polli Horticultural Research Centre. The aim of the training was to facilitate better cooperation between group members and coordinate the fulfilment of the Valortech project objectives. During group work sessions the team members gave their input developing a plan regarding organizing events, dissemination and collaboration activities.
11.12.
2020
VALORTECH organised a free online
webinar
VALORTECH ERA Chair held a free webinar to introduce the methods for minimization and valorization of food waste/by-products through obtaining value-added bioactive ingredients for potential food applications. The webinar covered different agri-food wastes/by-products for the exploitation of their bio-potential in the form of valuable bioactive ingredients.
The event attracted over 20 participants from various countries, including France, Finland, Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.
20.10.
2020
New publication
VALORTECH PhD students Katrin Jõgi's paper titled "Valorization of food processing wastes and by-products for bioplastic production" was published in Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy.
You can access the publication here.
09.10.
2020
VALORTECH workshop /
webinar in Polli
October 8-9 VALORTECH had a hybrid format workshop/webinar on Principles and Techniques for the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds at Polli Horticultural Research Centre. The two-day workshop introduced different techniques and instruments for the extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds. Basics and principles were presented as well as the applications of different methods (supercritical CO2 extraction, ultrasound and microwave assisted extractions).
01.07.
2020
VALORTECH team training in Polli
Valortech staff had a team training in Polli Horticultural Research Centre. The aim of the training was to facilitate better cooperation between group members and coordinate the fulfilment of the Valortech project objectives. During group work sessions the team members gave their input developing a plan regarding organizing events, dissemination and collaboration activities.
30.07.
2021
Valortech publications in June
Summer has been very productive for the Valortech team in terms of publishing. Three new articles were released during June:
I.U.H. Bhat and R. Bhat published an article: "Quercetin: A Bioactive Compound Imparting Cardiovascular and Neuroprotective Benefits: Scope for Exploring Fresh Produce, Their Wastes, and By-Products".
R. Rätsep et. al published an article titled "Recovery of Polyphenols from Vineyard Pruning Wastes—Shoots and Cane of Hybrid Grapevine (Vitis sp.) Cultivars".
S. Hussain, M. Sharma, R. Bhat published an article "Valorisation of Sea Buckthorn Pomace by Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Soluble Dietary Fibre Using Response Surface Methodology".
30.05.
2020
VALORTECH webinar on sustainable food production
On may 5th VALORTECH had a webinar on sustainable food production. The purpose of the webinar was to provide insight into why there is a need for sustainable food production in the first place and why there is a need to minimize waste in the agri-food sector in particular. What are the opportunities for maximizing the utilization of food industrial by-products for obtaining bioactive compounds, what are advancements in the use of Green Processing Technologies, and what future trends foresee for these technologies.
The webinar was attended by 22 participants online.