Workpackages
The research strategy of the Irish Phytochemical Network has been divided into 7 workpackages (WPs) Each workpackage is will address a step in the food chain of fruit and vegetables from farm to fork (Agronomic, Postharvesting & Storage, Food processing, New product development) Two more workpackages, will address coordination of the Network (WP1) and dissemination of outcomes (WP7). In the following paragraphs detailed information is given for each of the WPs
Flow diagram of the “farm to fork” chain and their associated workpackages. The following sections are a detailed summary for each of the workpackages comprised in the IPFN´s workplan:
WP1: Management, Administration and development of a sustainable network.
This workpackage aims to deliver project milestones and deliverables within the budget and time frame and develop a critical mass of internationally recognised expertise with respect to monitoring phytochemicals in Irish fruits and vegetables from farm to fork.
WP2: Phytochemical analysis, toxicology and bio-assay development.
This workpackage is focused on the development of a world class portfolio of analytical methods to asses the phytochemical and bio-active status of Irish grown fruits and vegetables.
Initially a portfolio of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assessing levels of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables and profiling the bio-activity and toxicity of phytochemicals will be compiled. These SOPs will then serve as a resource for all members of the consortium. A full time network scientific officer employed on the network will receive training in the methods in the portfolio and will in turn train other members of the consortium in these methods. This exercise will serve to highlight areas where knowledge gaps exist with regard to methods for phytochemical analysis, toxicity testing and bioassay development. In areas where knowledge gaps exist new methods will be developed, validated and SOP's composed.
WP3: Effect of Agronomic factors and post harvest storage on the levels of phytochemicals in Irish grown fruits and vegetables.
This work package aims to gather existing information and generate new data on the effect of agronomic factors on levels of dietary phytochemicals in Irish grown fruits and vegetables. This work package will be the responsibility of Dr. Michael Gaffney and a newly appointed contract researcher and will be carried out at Teagasc-Kinsealy. Initially a desk study will be carried out to collate existing information relating to the effect of agronomic factors and post harvest storage on levels of phytochemicals in Irish grown fruits and vegetables. This will focus on information available on the most commonly grown vegetables in Ireland i.e., cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts), carrots and onions.
The target molecules for these vegetables will be respectively isothiocyanates, polyacetylenes and polyphenols. The desk study will focus on collating information with regard to these molecules and vegetable types with respect to the following categories.
- Plant nutrition - The effect of NPK, soil pH on phytochemicals
- Effect of cultivar
- Effect of intensive versus organic production
- Environmental conditions - Ambient temperature, hydration, humidity
- Effect of post harvest storage
- Fruit size, development stage and ripening
The area of agronomic factors and post harvest storage has not received much attention either domestically or internationally therefore it is expected that this work package would require extensive field trials which require long periods of time hence this work package will run the full five years.
WP4: Time/Temperature/Tolerance (TTT) and Process/Package/Product factors (PPP).
This workpackage will develop optimised protocols for the retention of phytochemicals during full and minimal processing.
and will be the responsibility of Pr. David O'Beirne and a post-doctoral researcher based at UL. Initial work will focus on collating existing information with regard to how time/temperature tolerance (TTT) and process/packaging?? (PPP) factors moderate levels of phytochemicals in fruit and vegetable products. The PPP component of the work package will focus on collating existing information with regard to how full and minimal processing effect phytochemical levels in the products. This will facilitate the development of optimised manufacturing protocols for the retention of phytochemicals and identify areas where there are urgent knowledge gaps. The TTT part of the work package will focus on using existing information to develop procedures for optimal retention of phytochemicals following processing and retail display.
WP5: A probabilistic exposure assessment model for dietary intake and bio-availability of phytochemicals.
The development of a farm-to-fork probabilistic model to assess the impact of production and process stages on phytochemicals in selected fruits and vegetables and assess subsequent human exposure levels to these phytochemicals is the main objective of this workpackage. A probabilistic exposure assessment model will be developed to assess the impact of each process from farm-to-fork on levels of phytochemicals using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The model will use data developed in Work Package 2 (Agronomic factors) and Work package 3 (time/temperature/tolerance and process/package/product) in addition to existing research and literature sources, to estimate a probability distribution for the levels of key bioactive compounds in selected fruits and vegetablesThe model will simulate the impact of different agronomic factors (e.g. seasonal characteristics, variety, environmental conditions) and processing conditions (e.g. minimal processing, full processing) have on the levels of the bioactive compounds based on empirical data derived from other work packages in the project and literature sources. A final estimate of human exposure to phytochemicals will be estimated by combining data on the levels of phytochemicals in selected fruit and vegetables post processing with typical serving sizes for both males and females. The exposure assessment model will result in a comprehensive analysis of phytochemical changes during production, including an analysis of the impact of various process stages on phytochemical levels. The sensitivity analysis will be of particular interest in helping to identify procedures to optimise human exposure to phytochemicals in fruit and vegetables.
WP6: Product development.
The objective of this WP is to develop new products fortified with novel bio-actives already identified and characterised and newly identified compounds isolated in WP2and to examine consumer attitudes to these products. Research work in will fall into the following headings: (1) Re-formulation (2) Sensory Analysis (3) Consumer attitudes.
As a result of WP2 a range of health promoting phytochemical compounds will have been isolated and characterised.
These compounds will embrace novel bio-actives already identified and characterised and newly identified compounds. Work package 1 will also have developed efficient methods for the purification and isolation of these compounds. These compounds will be incorporated into food matrices with a view to developing novel functional foods. Consumer attitude to foods fortified with phytochemicals will also be examined and detailed sensory analysis of the foods will be carried out. In addition the Researchers will use instrumental analyses such as the electronic nose and gas chromatography to develop rapid methods for detection of some redox active compounds such as polyphenols, tocopherols, etc. that have an important relevance in their organoleptic characteristics and antioxidant properties. An analysis of potential markets for these foods will also be carried out.
WP7: Dissemination and innovation management.
This workpackage aims to disseminate outputs from the network to the prepared fruit and vegetable processors, food ingredient companies, fruit and vegetable growers and retailers in an easy understood ready to understand format and to collaboration with industrial partners ensure effective exploitation of intellectual property generated as part of the networks activities and facilitate effective dissemination of outputs to industrial partners.
All outputs from the network will be circulated to Relay. Facts sheets and blueprints detailing optimised protocols for retention of phytochemicals during full and minimal process will be circulated to relevant industrial parties. Where new information has been generated peer reviewed publication will be composed. A newsletter will be produced on an annual basis and circulated to relevant food companies and food ingredient companies through the auspices of Relay.
Innovation management
Initial work will focus on collating existing information with regard to company and consumer attitudes to foods with enhanced levels of phytochemicals. In cases where knowledge gaps exist Irish consumers and companies will be surveyed regarding their attitudes to functional foods enhanced with phytochemicals and products with enhanced levels of phytochemicals. With regard to consumers demographic analysis of the data will be carried out allowing the identification of target markets. This will allow the identification of potential products in the case of functional foods enhanced with phytochemicals and foods with optimised levels of health promoting substances. The need for other possible outputs such as optimised processing protocols and innovative technologies for maximising retention of phytochemicals will also be assessed. Market surveys will then be conducted to assess the market potential for phytochemically enhanced foods and foods with optimised levels of phytochemicals. At this point the analysis of the potential market for these products and outputs will then be conducted and ancillary companies capable of producing extracts/pure chemicals isolated from Irish grown fruits and vegetables. Potential companies for uptake of products with enhanced levels of phytochemicals will then be identified. In cases where products/processes have been identified with potential commercial value steps will be taken to protect the I.P. This role will be carried out by the IP steering committee. The role of this committee is to advise the Network co-ordinator and core management team on issues relating to IP including technology transfer and IP exploitation procedures including an overall IP agreement.
