UFRO Doctoral Candidate Drives Innovation in Meat Packaging with Bioactive Compounds from Antarctica
The proposal for industrial packaging offers a more sustainable and effective method to preserve meat products through innovative features that prevent the proliferation of microorganisms. This involves an electrospun fiber loaded with bioactive compounds from Antarctica.
Dayaimi González Reyes, a student in the Doctorate in Sciences with a focus on Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology, was selected as the winner of "Sinergia I+D: Doctorados UFRO - Agrosuper", a call promoted by the company Agrosuper and the Innovation and Technology Transfer Directorate of the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO).
This collaborative alliance is part of the strategic actions of the UFRO Innovation InES and gains strength through the connection with the public and private sectors to generate innovative solutions that address—in this case—challenges within Agrosuper's value chain. It promotes applied research and strengthens the academic sector's ability to connect with industry.
R&D on Antarctic Compounds
Dayaimi González's proposal stems from her doctoral thesis research and focuses on the development of a fiber made from active Antarctic compounds and biodegradable polymers, which has been applied to meat and meat product packaging. The technology offers significant potential for preservation due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
"At this stage, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the strain has already been demonstrated," says Dayaimi González, explaining that the current development process involves the creation of the electrospun fiber. "The solution we have proposed to Agrosuper has several advantages. On one hand, it responds to the innovation of using Antarctic bacteria applied to food processes, and on the other, it highlights its dual functionality."
The awarding of this call to the postgraduate student not only underscores the quality and relevance of the research conducted in the Doctorate in Sciences with a focus on Applied Cellular and Molecular Biology but also reinforces the importance of generating strategic links between academia and industry to address large-scale processes.
The Director of Innovation and Technology Transfer at UFRO, Dr. Paolа Durán, reiterates this point. "We know there are a series of challenges that need to be addressed with the knowledge generated from academia, which is being built and articulated through the connection between applied sciences and innovation as a response to specific challenges."
For his part, Agrosuper's Innovation Manager, Cristián Meyer, mentioned that the objective has been met. "The purpose of this initiative has been to inspire doctoral students regarding the production lines we have in chickens, pigs, and turkeys, with a focus on the development and improvement of processes through technology."
The Academic Director of Postgraduate Studies and Director of the BIOMOL Doctorate, Dr. Luis Salazar, expressed his satisfaction and pride in Dayaimi González's achievement. "This project is a testament to the talent and dedication of our doctoral students. Dayaimi's research stands out not only for its innovation but also for its practical relevance in the food industry. We are confident that her work will have a significant impact on food preservation and will open new doors for future collaborations between academia and industry."
A "match" that has been fully realized in this doctoral research, directed by Dr. Francisca Acevedo from the BIOMOL Doctorate, and strengthened through the alliance with Agrosuper, supported by the UFRO Innovation InES and the Innovation and Technology Transfer Directorate of the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Postgraduate Studies.
Source: Innovation and Technology Transfer Directorate, UFRO.