A joint collaboration between the Cuarto region of Argentina championed by the National University of Rio Cuarto and the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland organised a conference on several topics that are related to food sovereignty, sustainability, circular economy and bioeconomy. The efficient utilisation of natural resources in both regions is an important theme in meeting the sustainable development goals agenda. Hence, this partnership between the partner institutions will lead to the cocreation of knowledge. The topics were multidisciplinary, and the discussion focussed on research and teaching opportunities for institutions in both countries. The experts from both countries will continue to engage on the possibility of promoting the research agenda in these important areas.
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) (Fr.) Pilát is a black perennial fungus that grows on adult birch trunk and traditionally been used as a health prevention remedy in different countries. The lipophilic compounds of chaga were isolated applying conventional (Soxhlet), non-conventional (ultra-sound assisted, accelerated solvent) and environmentally friendly (supercritical fluid) extraction methods utilizing both polar and non-polar solvents. For authentication of chaga samples, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and multi-elemental analysis was performed in this study. The yield and profile of lipids, sterols, and triterpenoids of various origins were discussed and potential application in terms of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms demonstrated. The results showed that CO2 extraction delivered comparable to conventional extraction techniques amount of target compounds with a safer profile and therefore could represent the future for sustainable industrial-scale production of biologically active ingredients with antimicrobial activity. Authentication of chaga allowed to establish the quality parameters and properties of resources that will be useful for industries.
Drying can constitute the majority of the energy costs and thus, manufacturing costs, in plant refining. The use of higher drying temperatures accelerates drying and reduces total electricity consumption. However, higher drying temperatures can also reduce the chemical quality of plants, as heat sensitive compounds can degrade or evaporate. The purpose of the study was to find the optimum drying temperature for nettle leaves (Urtica dioica L.), white and silver birch leaves (Betula pubescens, Betula pendula) and roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) in terms of electricity consumption and quality. Selected plants were dried with drying oven, convective dryer and vacuum dryer between 40 and 80 °C. The quality was determined by measuring total polyphenol content, antioxidant capacity and active compounds of roseroot. The lowest total electricity consumption was obtained by drying oven, but the highest chemical quality was obtained by vacuum dryer. The optimum drying temperature varied between 65 and 80 °C.
A joint collaboration between the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Finland and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria was organised as a hybrid conference on several topics that are related to climate, food, health and entrepreneurship. The utilisation of natural resources in both regions is an important theme in meeting the sustainable development goals agenda. The topics discussed were multidisciplinary, they include Nigerian indigenous foods, bioeconomy, circular economy, nutrition, health, innovation and entrepreneurship under four themes (Climate, Food, Health and Entrepreneurship). There were dignitaries from Finland and Nigeria. The presenters are researchers from Nigerian universities (University of Ibadan, University of Abuja and Eko university, Lagos), Nigerian Federal Institute of Industrial research centre and from the Finnish side we have the university of Lapland, Rovaniemi, University of Oulu, Oulu and the Centria University of Applied Sciences, Kokkola. The topics discussed will serve as training materials for students and learners, the discussion focussed on research opportunities for institutions in both countries. The experts from both countries will continue to dialogue on the possibility of promoting common topics as research agenda in these important areas with the possibilities of creating more jobs.
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