| Participants | PI Name | Organization | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coordinator | Hayriye Ünal | Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research Center (SUNUM) | Türkiye |
| Partner 1 | Şahnur Irmak | Bornova Olive Research Institute (ORI) | Türkiye |
| Partner 2 | Mohamed Bouaziz | University of Sfax (USFAX) | Tunisia |
| Partner 3 | Elsa Ramalhosa | Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB) | Portugal |
| Partner 4 | Joaquín Bautista-Gallego | University of Extremadura (UEX) | Spain |
| Partner 5 | Abidin Tatlı | Olive Oil Academy (OOA) | Türkiye |
SUNUM is a multidisciplinary research center equipped with the state-of-the-art infrastructure in the field of Nanotechnology. In 2016, SUNUM was selected as one of the National Research Infrastructures, to be supported by the Ministry Under Law No. 6550, with a mission to create socio-economic added-value through commercialisation of research results. The three main research themes of SUNUM are “Nanomaterial Synthesis&Characterization; Nanostructure Design & Synthesis; Micro/Nano System Design, Integration”, developing pivot technologies for various sectoral applications such as new materials, energy, life sciences, food, agriculture, water and environment.
SUNUM will be leading WP2, WP3, WP4, WP8 and WP9 as a project coordinator. SUNUM will utilize its expertise in bio-based material and materials science and contribute in terms of the development of the antimicrobial nanofillers, development of bio-based antimicrobial nanocomposite foams as packaging inserts.
Bornova Olive Research Institute (ORI) is a governmental organization working for the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy depending on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Research and education are basic activities of Olive Research Station conducted by the Departments of Breeding, Growing Techniques, Management, Plant Protection, Table Olive and Olive Oil Technology and Economy-Statistics. ORI is responsible for collecting data and evaluation, collecting and preserving the gene resources, conducting research activities in national and international level, training (courses, workshops, etc.) and publications and providing certificated saplings to the growers.
ORI will be leading WP7 participating in evaluation of the market acceptance of the foam packaging inserts.
The Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax-USFAX was established in 2002 by the government as part of an agricultural and bio medical development project in order to intensify the biotechnological research in the country. The main objective of the institute is to coordinate the biotechnological research and conduct research programs in different areas of biotechnology. The institute is also responsible for creating skilled manpower for biotechnology and particularly in the field of food technology. Researchers and technical staff of three Laboratories in the Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sfax and School of Engineering of Sfax, USFAX, compose the electrochemistry and environment.
USFAX will be leading WP1 participating in recovery of hydroxytyrosol extracted from TOWW as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.
Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB) is a public institution of Higher Education founded in 1983, whose mission is to deliver a quality higher education, to promote Research and Technological Development, particularly in cooperation with the industrial community, and to contribute to regional, and national development by providing technical, technological and scientific competences. IPB develops important Scientific Research and Technological Development, featuring several research units integrated into the network of the FCT research centers. CIMO is a National FCT R&D unit of excellence hosted at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança which conducts research on Mediterranean mountain systems, following an interdisciplinary strategy to go from Nature (raw materials, natural resources, biodiversity, agriculture, forest management) to Products (Food and Bio-based materials).
IPB will be leading WP6 participating in the evaluation of the effect of bionanocomposite foams on the quality parameters of table olives.
University of Extremadura (UEX) was founded in 1973. Its history is intimately linked to the region of Extremadura. Since its opening, UEX has seen a rise in student numbers, degrees and centers, expanding to a total of four separate centers, including the campuses in Badajoz and Caceres, the University Centre in Merida and the University Centre in Plasencia. More than 24,000 under-graduate and post-graduate-level students’ study at UEx, along with a further 8,000 students who are completing doctoral studies or other courses. The University of Extremadura is also a leading institution in Food Science and Technology and has a great and close relationship of collaboration with the Agri-Food industrial sector. Even more, this project will be carried out in the Faculty of Science, and more specifically, in the Microbiology Section.
UEX will be leading WP5 participating in the investigation of the antimicrobial activity of bionanocomposite foams.
In May 2019, a team of 30-year sectoral experts convened in Istanbul to address challenges in the olive and olive oil sector by reviving forgotten practices, realizing unmet goals, and tackling emerging needs. With the aim of resolving information gaps and fostering collaboration among academia, public institutions, and industry, the concept of an Olive Oil Academy was established. OOA’s main mission is to pioneer the establishment of the intellectual and operational infrastructure that will ensure the rapid growth of the Olive Sector with all its main and side branches.
OOA will co-lead WP7 participating in evaluation of the market acceptance of the foam packaging inserts.
Feel free to contact us at any time for more detailed information about the project or if you have any questions.
