Guest Researcher in MainSafeTraceJapan

In this project, the cooperation SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture (SFA) have with National Research Institute of Fisheries Science (NRIFS, Yokohama, Japan) since 2006 will be extended and strengthened. This will be accomplished by knowledge transfer and c ooperation on the research tasks described in the project description. In the proposed project, the levels and variations of compounds relevant for quality and nutritional value (selenium compounds, LC-PUFAs, low molecular weight metabolites), food safety (selenium compounds) and traceability (lipid fingerprint) in Norwegian and Japanese mackerel will be mapped. Selenium compounds are proposed to be important for food safety, as they have been shown to counteract MeHg toxicity. To confirm the significance of the selenium compound on health benefit and fish meat quality, the chemical form, antioxidant effect and contents of Se will be characterized in the Norwegian fish products. Also differences in taste active components between Norwegian and Japanese ma ckerel will be investigated, as the expertise of dr Kani is complementary to SFA´s in this area. Mackerel is greatly appreciated in Japan which is the largest importer of Norwegian mackerel. Dr Kanis activities will fit very nicely within the current re search project "Food safety and food chain traceability within the mackerel food chain between Norway and Japan (MainSafeTraceJapan,NFR193602)" coordinated by Jostein Storøy, SFA. The proposed project will be important for establishing new projects in coo peration with Japan, e.g. concerning quality/traceability/food safety issues of Norwegian mackerel heading for Japan and of Japanese Mackerel, or relevant for the re-establishing of the north-areas in Japan (a process in which SFA is already involved).