Plan of institutional development in research of the Institute of Food Technology - ITAL (PDIp)

Abstract

PDIP-ITAL aims to strengthen the institute’s capabilities by modernizing its analytical infrastructure and pilot plants as essential elements of food safety assessment and proof of concept for products and processes, by training its research team as a fundamental resource in the generation of new skills, and by the strong interaction with national and international actors as ITAL allies in the production of innovative knowledge and technologies. The following Strategic Areas have been prioritized: a) Food Safety and Health, involving the following topics: investigation of chemical contamination, reduction of microbiological contamination and improvement of nutritional aspects of food; b) Innovation in Produce and Processes, involving the development of ingredients, new products, processes and formulations, new materials and packaging and new products and ingredients from the use of residues from the food industry. Part of the planned investments is aimed at improving the analytical capacity of ITAL Laboratories for food an packaging analysis, due to the complexity of the products and the nature of contamination, require greater sensitivity and selectivity, so that scientific research can keep up with the challenges of knowledge generation. On the other hand, the innovation in processes and products requires the modernization of strategic pilots plants, with capacity more adequate to the development of innovations and ingredients and more ap-to-date regarding the recent technological advances. The expansion of the production capacity of ingredients, food and packaging in a pilot scale is fundamental so that the research developed by ITAL can have the security coming from the proofs of concept and tests of attributes of technical feasibility, reducing the risks of its adaption by the market. In addition, this PDIP proposes the execution of 37 research projects, with the creation of four new areas counting on Young Investigators Awards, 13 Postdoctoral Scholarships, one PhD and nine Master's Degrees and ten Research Scholarships Abroad, as well as the contribution of four Visiting Researchers. (AU)