INCREASING the value of agriculture waste and turning it into new products will be the outcome of a new $10.9 million research consortium led by the University of Adelaide.<\/p>\n
The Research Consortium \u2013 Agricultural Product Development \u2013 has been granted $4 million over four years.<\/p>\n
The University of Adelaide is contributing $2.3 million (cash and in-kind) with the remaining support coming from a range of partners.<\/p>\n
The Consortium will bring together a total of 18 partners to develop high-value products from agricultural waste: nine South Australian-based companies from the agriculture and food sector, and another nine national and international academic institutions and industry partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgriculture is already a key contributor to Australia\u2019s economy but its huge potential to generate high-value products and create new post-farm gate industries has not yet been realised,\u201d says Professor Vincent Bulone, Research Consortium Lead Investigator and Director of Adelaide Glycomics at the University\u2019s Waite campus.<\/p>\n
Some biomolecules that can be derived from Australian crop waste show anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer or gut-health properties; while others provide mechanical strength or texturizing properties in food, structural materials, lubricants and cosmetics.<\/p>\n
Examples include anthocyanins from apples and cherries, and chitosan from mushrooms for use in skin care products; sulforaphane from Brassica vegetables with potential benefits for diabetic patients; and cellulose used for composite materials.<\/p>\n
The outcomes from this major research consortia will contribute to the creation of new post-farmgate industries through the development and commercialisation of value-added products from agricultural waste.<\/p>\n
A strong focus of the Consortium will be attracting students and researchers and providing training across multiple disciplines and industrial specialisations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
INCREASING the value of agriculture waste and turning it into new products will be the outcome of a new $10.9 million research consortium led by the University of Adelaide. The Research Consortium \u2013 Agricultural Product Development \u2013 has been granted $4 million over four years. The University of Adelaide is contributing $2.3 million (cash and […]<\/p>\n