From June 20th to July 1st, the Institute of Applied Biosciences, as main partner of the Master Food Identity program in collaboration with the Ecole Supérieure d'Agricultures d'Angers, France, hosted 20 students from 14 countries.
The students were trained in the advanced technologies used by INAB in the agri-food sector, such as DNA-based protocols for traceability and adulteration detection in food, third-generation sequencing, microbiome analysis of protected origin cheeses, and biochemical analysis for organoleptic and physicochemical measurements of PDO Greek table olives, providing a complete experience of a product's lab analysis.
The students visited representative food industries of Northern Greece, such as:
- Mussel farms of Thermaikos gulf, where Mr. D. Draganis of the company DRAGANIS BROS, informed students about the mussels' production process and the sector's problems, mainly due to climate change.
- Companies producing olive oil and PDO Halkidiki table olives at Kalives, Polygyros.
- Two crucial food value chains for the Region of Western Makedonia, the vineyard wine company ALPHA ESTATE and Red Florina’s Peppers company "NAOUMIDIS", both located in the area of Amintaio. Students learned about modern methods of viticulture and winery, as well as the processing and production of Red Florina’s peppers.
- The Macedonian Thrace Brewery VERGINA, where the students had the opportunity to learn about the future trends of the sector and its production process and the dairy industry KRI KRI, where the students were informed about the differences between Greek yogurt and imitation products and visited the new facilities of the company for biogas production from its waste.
The Μaster Food Identity is a multidisciplinary program. It trains future experts in the agri-food sector - with an international vision of culture, regulation, market analysis, and competencies - in food processing, authentication, sensory analysis, quality control, marketing strategy, and entrepreneurship.
We would like to warmly thank Mr. A. Draganis - President of the Association of Greek Mussel Producers, Ms. E. Zotou - producer of the PDO early-harvest olive oil, Mr. A. Iatridis - owner of ALPHA ESTATE, Mr. Petros Naoumidis - owner of "NAOUMIDIS" company, and the scientific staff of KRI KRI company, for their hospitality.
