Toxins
In the western world, issues of food supply are no longer a major concern however the number of scares relating to food safety has never been higher. Why is this?
There is no single factor, no single event which triggered the apparent worsening of food safety. One must look to a complex series of changes which have occurred over a relatively short period of time to find explanations for this real or perhaps only perceived erosion in safety.
- Food production techniques have changed dramatically over the past number of years and these changes are accelerating. Further levels of commodity processing are being applied to food sourced and blended for all parts of the world
- Many chemicals produced as by-products of modern industries such as the petrochemical pharmaceutical and plastics are entering the food supply chain
- The ability of modern analytical techniques to detect even minute levels of toxic substances in samples of animal feed, food and water have caused a heightened awareness of the potential dangers which exist. However in the vast majority of cases the detection of such compounds is based on physical presence in the sample and not on the biological activity which might be triggered in the consumer
- Climate change is also playing an important role as food crops are being grown in widening areas and climatic conditions in many parts of the world favour the production of bacterial, fungal and algal toxins which was not previously the case.
Research at The Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use is centred on two key types of toxins:
The natural toxins produced by algae and fungi Man made toxins resulting from industrial processes The primary objective of the research is to develop innovative ways of detecting many of these toxic substances and relate these concentrations to the biological effect they exhibit on man and animals.
Northern Ireland has a rich tradition in agriculture and is proud of this history of food production. The research performed at the Institute is of global significance but will assist the local agri-food sector, so important to the economy of the region, to continue to manufacture safe, wholesome produce.
