TResearch
2024
Team spotlight: Meat expectations Meat Technology Ireland (MTI) is a national centre for research and innovation in meat processing, based at Teagasc Ashtown. Uniquely positioned, it brings together research organisations and industry partners to develop solutions to some of the biggest contemporary challenges facing the meat sector in Ireland, and the world. […]
Planting the seeds Key challenges and opportunities in Ireland’s plant-based sector were revealed in a recent stakeholder workshop, highlighting the potential for sustainable food production and the need for strategic interventions. Photo credit: Mizina/istockphoto.com Globally recognised for its environmental, nutritional, and socioeconomic advantages, plant-based protein production and consumption is gaining traction. Ireland […]
Grass the green gold Ireland is renowned for its abundant grass growth. Not only is grass the main source of feed for pasture-based animals, Teagasc scientists have demonstrated its potential for use in a multitude of products from pharmaceuticals to packaging. Photo credit: IvanMikhaylov/istockphoto.com We are seeing demand for sustainable food protein […]
Packaging solution for fresh horticultural produce Engagement opportunity: PMA-MAP-based packaging solution for fresh horticultural produce Photo credit: clubfoto/istockphoto.com Technology Novel packaging solutions for soft berries and herbs, based on perforation mediated active modified packaging (PMA-MAP), developed at Teagasc. Have led to a further 10 days shelf life extension for strawberries and further […]
Gut microbiome trials Engagement Opportunity: Facilitating predictive screening of food substrates prior to costly animal trials Photo credit: Panuwat Dangsungnoen/istockphoto.com Technology This ex vivo model of the human distal colon reliably mimics and predicts the impact that various food substrates are likely to have on the gut microbiome. This may help food […]
The meat of the matter Through hosting research centres like Meat Technology Ireland (MTI), Teagasc puts Ireland in a unique position to tackle the increasing challenges facing the meat processing sector, explains Director of MTI, John Colreavy. Photo credit: coldsnowstorm/istockphoto.com The challenges facing the meat processing sector are evident as consumers become […]
Events: my take-home message Teagasc’s researchers attend many events throughout the year, sharing the findings from their research with national and international audiences. Here, we capture the take-home messages – key pieces of information that our researchers want people to remember – from recent events. A life worth living for animals Event: […]
Shades of rashers Myglobin is the natural iron-containing pigment responsible for the colour of Irish bacon rashers. Depending on the exposure to oxygen and chemical additives like nitrites, the colour being displayed is in the shade of red ranging from pale pink to bright cherry red. This red shaded colour also highlights […]
MASTERing food chain microbiomes The Teagasc-led, EU-funded project MASTER focused on harnessing food chain microbiomes to benefit the global agri-food industry by improving the quantity, quality, safety and sustainability of foods. Rumen gut microbes play a pivotal role in enteric methane production. Photo credit: Andrew Downes The microbiomes that exist all around […]
Under the shadow Research conducted by Teagasc and the University of Galway has estimated the economic value – or shadow wage – of farm family labour on Irish dairy farms, highlighting the critical role of agricultural education in increasing its value. The seasonal nature of labour demand on dairy farms requires effective […]