Process engineering and product development
Process technologies and product development was one of six research areas in Period 1 (2021-2024). You can find the research areas of period 2 on the research page.
Objectives
To achieve efficient resource use of aquaculture and fisheries biomass, processing is essential, for example to increase shelf life, to remove inedible parts and to improve food safety, functionality, taste and appearance. However, in all seafood value chains there are significant bottlenecks.
The objectives of this research area are to
- develop a portfolio of primary process technologies that can convert underutilized and unused Swedish aquatic biomass into new ready-to-use raw materials.
- create a platform for formulation and product development that can stimulate the diversification of seafood products based on both new and existing raw materials.
Knowledge gaps
Among the crucial steps to be taken to achieve an efficient use of aquatic resources is the so-called mild separation of..:
- bones and shells from residual raw materials or whole organisms
- lipids, for example to promote extrusion or to remove possible dioxins.
- carbohydrates or minerals, for example to produce algal protein, and
- water, to enable stabilization of wet materials such as algae or to produce dry or semi-dry ingredients.
The choice of primary process method is generally a trade-off between cost and quality, and there are significant knowledge gaps, for example on how physical versus chemical methods can be used to remove bones and shells from Swedish underutilized raw materials and also on energy efficient dewatering techniques for e.g. algae.
In product development, formulation technologies such as extrusion and 3D printing are poorly explored for marine raw materials, but could enable entirely new ways of consuming seafood. We also need to find out how improvements to traditional technologies such as smoking, canning and freezing - individually or in combination - can be used to innovate in established seafood product segments.
Methodology
In parallel with the doctoral project in Research Area 2, on adding value to pelagic fish, two or more satellite projects will apply its results to other underutilized biomasses such as residual raw materials, specifically targeting new concepts for product development. These concepts will range from texturing techniques to techniques for extending shelf life with a 'clean label' approach, i.e. using few and known ingredients. Satellite projects will also focus on new drying techniques for wet aquatic biomass and on improving traditional seafood processes for product innovation. Doctoral and satellite projects will be carried out in collaboration with Research Areas 1, 4 and 5 as well as with Horizontal Research Areas 1 and 2.
Expected results
- A PhD specialized in processes to take care of underutilized aquatic biomass for seafood.
- A portfolio of economically and environmentally sustainable primary process technologies to transform complex underutilized seafood raw materials into new ready-to-eat seafood products.
- A product development platform for both new and existing seafood raw materials to achieve significant product diversification in seafood.