Producing enough food to feed the world’s growing population is becoming a major concern. But making sure the food we grow is safe, nutritious and good enough to eat is also fraught with difficulty.
In developing countries disease and decay can inflict losses of up to 100% on crops that left the field in perfect condition. These losses occur during harvesting, handling, shipment and after purchase by the consumer.
A new Centre of Excellence for Post-harvest Biotechnology (CEPB) has opened in the School of Biosciences at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus. It is led by Dr Asgar Ali who is an expert in post-harvest biology and technology.
The centre is developing new technologies aimed at reducing food losses, improving overall quality and food safety. The aim is to increase profits for growers and marketers and make quality and nutritious food available to consumers.
'In developing countries losses of between 10 to 100% have been recorded. Tropical countries like Malaysia have a particular problem because of the number of micro-organisms that exist due to humidity.
'Cutting post-harvest losses could add a sizable quantity to the global food supply,' said Dr Asgar.
With funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in the United Kingdom, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministries in Malaysia and private sector organisations in Malaysia, the CEPB is working with other universities across the world to find solutions to the problem of post-harvest waste. --------------------
Prof Jerry Roberts who is Academic Champion of the University’s Global Food Security Priority Group, said: 'The opening of this new Centre of Excellence is a good example of the work that is being undertaken across the University’s campuses in the area of Global Food Security. The centre will act as a focal point for our research to reduce post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables and will provide the opportunity for staff in industry to receive the training necessary to limit waste in the food chain.'
Global Food Security is a key project within the University’s new appeal, Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, which is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future.
The University is ideally positioned – scientifically, geographically and politically – to make a significant contribution to global food security.
It has been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, for its research on Global Food Security — which includes everything from growing more crops with less fertiliser, to improving the nutrition, safety and taste of food on the plate."
http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2012/1/29/education/10538865&sec=education
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