A chlorophyll-based marker in animal feed that fluoresces under UV light may be used to identify contamination of meat, chicken and eggs.

As well as having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, resveratrol also appears to suppress inflammation in humans, based on results from the first prospective human trial of the extract.

Cassava roots are usually inedible and unmarketable by two to four days after harvesting, severely affecting their effectiveness as a major third-world food source. Now, several genetic mechanisms have been identified which improve the shelf life of cassava roots.

Researchers at Swinburne University have been investigating the use of bioplastics - ingredients from renewable sources - and the properties of biopolymers that determine their ‘compostability’.

In the US, researchers at the Agricultural Research Service investigated the quality of eggs - finding no difference between organic and conventionally produced, white and brown, free-range and cage.

An Australian seafood processor has turned to cans to expand its operation and avoid the complexities involved with live exports.

Foster’s sought to upgrade some of its ageing fleet of ink jet coders. It sought an advanced ink jet coder, with performance characteristics not previously offered on the market. The system will be used for printing information such as the use-by date detail on shrink-wrapped cluster packs.

Linx Printing Technologies has launched an enhanced version of its SL301 scribing laser coder, which the company believes is the fastest, most cost-effective and versatile coder available to the bottling industry.

Recently, a large cereal manufacturer approached Fresco Systems Australasia seeking a solution to a problem of dispensing 1000 kg bulk bags of soya beans, rice and oats on a continuous basis into their process. The specification had a number of critical requirements including a system accuracy of <2%, variable discharge rate, 10,000 gauze magnet, discharge height of 1600 mm and a storage capacity of 1500 L.

Ilapak has installed a fully automatic line for packing of mini pizzas for Papalina. It delivers complete, multi-lane, automatic packaging lines for a distribution system.

Fibre King Crate Erectors have been used to erect nearly 100 million returnable plastic crates since their launch in 2006.

IntraVis Vision Systems of Germany has installed its Sample PreWatcher machinery in the Coca-Cola plant in Halle, Germany, and into two large suppliers for Coca-Cola in the USA.

Trakya Birlik, an agricultural cooperative based in Edirne, Turkey, has purchased 21 Oxford Instruments Magnetic Resonance MQC-5 benchtop NMR analysers. The instruments will be used as part of an initiative to improve sunflower seed oil yield.

A&D Australasia has used its weighing and measurement technology and local automation engineering expertise to create a valuable customised solution for one of Australia’s leading beverage producers.

Companies can reduce their carbon footprint without affecting quality by using lighter weight cartonboard.