ALBA Synchrotron
On November 15th 2017, the ALBA Synchrotron participated in the 31st international EFFoST conference in Sitges. Caterina Biscari, ALBA’s director, explained the different applications that synchrotron light has for the food science and industry.
Cerdanyola del Vallès, November 15th 2017
. The session took place between 11 am and 1 pm and was organized by the ALBA Synchrotron, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG) and chaired by ESRF and ALBA. In this conference it was presented the use of non-conventional characterization techniques for food analysis using synchrotron and neutron light sources. For example, the distribution of chemical species of selenium in wheat grains or the analysis and visualization of food microstructure using X-ray tomography were discussed. These techniques work at the micron and nanoscale, and can improve the agri-food sector, enabling the understanding of the food processing and improving food and packaging production.
EFFoST, the European Federation of Food Science & Technology, is organized every year to bring together researchers, scientists, policy makers, professionals and students from multidisciplinary food-related fields in order to share the latest developments and discuss relevant issues. The last edition, focused on the food science and the technology challenges for the 21st century, gathered more than 500 people. During the different sessions of the conference, solutions to actual and future challenges such as food safety and security, waste reduction and sustainability, gastronomy or novel technologies were explored with worldwide speakers and organizations.
Participants from ALBA Synchrotron, ESRF, HZG, UAB, Unilever and Delft University in EFFoST.