The implementation of project No 1.1.1.1 / 16 / A / 258 has been successfully completed

On August 30, the last phase of the project No.1.1.1.1.1 / 16 / A / 258 was finalised, the research was completed and the results of the project were summarized. The nine validated comprehensive instrumental methods of gas and high-performance liquid chromatography (GC, HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and high resolution (Orbitrap, time-of-flight (TOF) and Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass analysers for the determination of prevailing and emerging chemical contaminants successfully elaborated. More than 300 samples were analysed based on the developed instrumental methods providing important information on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), mycotoxins, pharmaceutical product residues (PP) and persistent organic pollutants (POP) contamination levels in products from different Latvian economy sectors namely beer, edible oils, dairy, poultry livestock products (eggs, meat, wild game meat, etc.) and fishery products.
In the study of biological contaminants six molecular biology and biochemistry methods have been developed during the project, which is an important step in the implementation of up to date and most efficient methods not only at nationally but also at the Baltic States level. The developed methods were compared with the existing classical diagnostic methods and the results of the research confirmed the efficiency and accuracy of the new methods.
The developed molecular biology and biochemical methods have been successfully used in industrial research, testing more than 570 food and environmental samples. During the project implementation, the Institute BIOR received several requests for information from the European Union Reference Laboratory for L. monocytogenes (EURL-Lm) regarding foodborne outbreaks in the European Union. The new generation sequencing (NGS) method elaborated during the project was successfully used on these cases by institute BIOR.

To ensure the transfer of knowledge gained from the project 12 scientific articles have been published in journals included in SCOPUS and Web of Science databases with high-citation, two popular science articles have been prepared for publication, two seminars for food business operators farmers and legislators have been conducted, researchers from the institute BIOR participated in seven international scientific conferences to inform the scientific community about project outcomes.

The total project costs: EUR 448 530,90 (the planned ERDF aid (85%): EUR 381 251,26 and state budget aid (7, 5%): EUR 33 639,82). Implementation of the project is scheduled at the duration of thirty months (period: 01.03.2017. - 30.08. 2019).

Information prepared on 30.08.2019.

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