Quinolizidine Alkaloids in Lupins
ContaminantsQuinolizidine alkaloids are secondary metabolic products that serve plants as defense and protection against herbivores....
Turning the Tide on Water Scarcity & Purity
The theme of this year’s World Food Day on October 16 is “Water is Life. Water is Food”, underlining the essential link between water and food. The world’s demand for water is growing at twice the rate of population increase, making it vital for the food industry to play a role in water conservation and understanding its impact.
The global population, expected to reach around 10 billion by mid-century, presents a significant challenge to feed while preserving the planet. Water is essential in agricultural production, and a person’s daily food intake requires thousands of liters of water. Measuring and understanding the impact of water use in the food and agriculture industry is crucial. Environmental footprinting, a solution offered by Mérieux NutriSciences – Blonk, assesses the impact of products throughout the supply chain, and plays a key role. It measures water use and depletion, alongside other environmental impacts like carbon emissions and resource depletion. Agricultural systems, especially crop cultivation and irrigation, are significant sources of water use. A comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts, including the water footprint, is essential for sustainable practices. Companies are increasingly setting targets to reduce their environmental footprints, recognizing the importance of safeguarding water resources.
The quantity and availability of water is important, but so is quality. Water is an essential element in the food chain. It is therefore vital to guarantee water quality to ensure the quality and safety of food products. Climate change and the persistence of some chemicals in the environment increase the risks of water contamination. In particular, PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has become a global issue.
These resistant contaminants are made up of thousands of synthetic molecules present in various consumer goods, and can infiltrate the food chain. To address this, specialized expertise has been developed by Mérieux NutriSciences and is now available to customers worldwide, capable of detecting and mitigating PFAS risks. We employ methods like targeted compound analysis, generic indexes such as AOF (Adsorbable Organic Fluorine), and untargeted analysis to identify suspect molecules using advanced equipment and libraries. By balancing the quantity and quality of water, industry leaders can ensure the safety and integrity of their products while mitigating potential risks like PFAS and environmental impact.
As stated in this year’s World Food Day theme, “Water is Food. Water is Life.” and it is time to act by setting ambitious targets in the face of water-related challenges. Together, we can turn the tide on water scarcity and purity, and contribute to ensure access to safe and nutritious food.