THE PROJECT
Project Overview
The ever-increasing consumer demand for healthier poultry products, derived from farming systems more compatible with the hens' well-being and more environmentally friendly, contributed to the intensification of research into the possibility of effective application of farming in Free Range conditions. At the same time, the use of certain antibiotics and other antimicrobial substances in food have already been banned in the EU countries, due to the possible creation of resistance and the fear of transferring this resistance to humans through the food chain (EU Regulation, 1998 ).
NATIONAL ACTION: "RESEARCH-CREATE-INNOVATE"
TITLE: Novel Tracers as New Markers for Defining Free-Range Systems.
ACRONYM: P.I.N.D.O.S.
PROJECT CODE: T1EDK-03939
The properties and use of aromatic plants by humans have been known since ancient times. Today, their use has also been extended to feeding animals in order to take advantage of their various beneficial properties. Many aromatic herbs, such as rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, tea etc. or extracts of these herbs, are attracting a lot of research interest for their antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Compared to synthetic antibiotics, aromatic plants are considered to be more "natural", less toxic, free of residues and ideal feed additives for animal husbandry.
The use of free-range poultry production has been increasing in recent years due to consumer demand for more "natural" products, derived from birds living in better conditions. But some products labeled "free range" or "organic" may come from poultry that have never seen natural light or green grass in their lives. Therefore, it is necessary to have objective biochemical indicators of the term "free-range poultry" in order to protect consumers.
Objective of the project
Η ανεύρεση Πρωτοποριακών “Ιχνηλατών” βασισμένων σε Νέους Δείκτες για τον Ορισμό Συστημάτων «Ελεύθερης Βοσκής». Μέσω της ανεύρεσης βιοχημικών ποσοτικών δεικτών, στον ορό και στο μυϊκό ιστό των πουλερικών που θα διαφοροποιούν τα «ελεύθερης βοσκής» με τα συμβατικά. Η έρευνα επεκτάθηκε και στην εξέταση της επίδρασης του εμπλουτισμένου με βότανα διατροφικού περιβάλλοντος της κότας ελευθέρας βοσκής, στα επίπεδα της αντιοξειδωτικής κατάστασης και συνεπώς στις αποδόσεις, την ποιότητα του σφάγιου, στα οργανοληπτικά χαρακτηριστικά του, αλλά και σε ορισμένες βιοχημικές και ανοσοχημικές παραμέτρους του ορού αίματος των κοτόπουλων.
Objectives of the research
a) development of methods, mechanisms and tools for verifying the authenticity of free-range chickens and protecting consumers from fraud or adulteration of high-added food, as well as
β) η δημιουργία μιας καινοτόμα διατροφικής μεθόδου εκτροφής κοτόπουλου, μοναδικής σε εθνικό επίπεδο, οδηγώντας σε αύξηση της εγχώριας προστιθέμενης αξίας και σε παραγωγή υψηλής αξίας τελικών προϊόντων με εξαγωγική βαρύτητα.
THE PARTNERS
Of the Development Project
The Biochemistry Laboratory, in collaboration with the Research Laboratory of Peptide Chemistry of the University of Ioannina, the Immunology Laboratory of the Hellenic Pasteur Institute, and the APSI "PINDOS", are the project organizers. Read more about the partner's contribution to the project at the following link.
