The aim of the present project is to investigate and develop high-value products from the by-products of sawmilling and berry industry. The project is based on previous laboratory research of the applicant on the compounds extracted from the starting material and on the development of solvent free extraction methods. The aim is to investigate health impacts of the compounds and extracts derived from the processing waste (shoots, leaves and peel) of bilberry and lingonberry, and from the cutting waste of pine. In particular, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects will be studied. Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs is a well recognized threat to our health which stresses the importance to search and investigate novel antimicrobial compounds to be used in health care as well as in food industry. Inflammatory diseases are becoming more common, and this project focuses especially on the low-grade inflammation associated with obesity and its co-morbidities such as metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is known, that diet rich in vegetables contains compounds that attenuate this low-grade inflammation. In the present project, the aim is to identify such compounds from arctic plants. The methods developed and research results obtained in this project can be exploited in product development in company-initiated projects, and further, in improving health and well-being locally and globally.
Contact info:
Professor Eeva Moilanen eeva.moilanen(at)tuni.fi
PhD Mari Hämäläinen mari.hamalainen(at)tuni.fi
