SelectScience
Join Free
Accelerating Science
NewsLife Sciences

Science to Save Halloumi Cheese

University of Edinburgh

Scottish scientists have joined a Europe-wide bid to secure the future supply of Cyprus' finest food export - halloumi cheese.

28 Nov 2017
Abigail Berry
Administrator / Office Personnel

Industry news

The project aims to boost milk yields from local breeds of goats and sheep on the island so that demand can be fulfilled.

Researchers are to help farmers design selective breeding programmes by investigating genetic differences that are linked to increased milk production.

Experts will also assess how animal feeds can be improved to optimize milk yield and how soils in Cyprus can be enriched by adding beneficial species of bacteria and fungi.

Halloumi makes an important contribution to the Cypriot economy, accounting for more than 15 per cent of the total domestic exports. The UK is the number one export market for the cheese.

At present, much of the halloumi that reaches supermarket shelves contains a significant proportion of cow's milk, which is cheaper and more widely available.

Visit our Food and Beverage community here >>

Cyprus has applied for halloumi to be recognized with Protected Designation of Origin status - a European Union award designed to protect traditional, regional foods against imitation. It would stipulate that halloumi must be produced predominantly from Cypriot Sheep and Goat milk.

If the PDO is granted, milk production from Cypriot sheep and goat breeds will need to increase substantially to ensure that current demand for halloumi cheese is satisfied.

The AGRICYGEN partnership - funded by the European Union - connects research institutions in Cyprus with world-leading experts in agricultural genetics from the UK, France and Germany. The University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute is among those taking part.

A new research center will be set up in Cyprus to increase the country's capacity for analyzing animal and plant genomes. The center will also train early career scientists.

Dr Ricardo Pong-Wong, a Quantitative Genetic Tools Specialist at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute, said: "The project combines our specialism in animal genetics and genomics with expertise in plant and microbial genetics. It will allow implementation of an effective scheme to secure the future of halloumi that takes into account the unique conditions associated with farming Cypriot goats and sheep."

Join Free today for the latest news- Straight to your inbox!

Links

University of EdinburghCompany website

Tags

MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.DNA SequencingDNA sequencing, such as sanger sequencing, is a biological technique that determines the precise order of nucleotide bases in a fragment or template of DNA. DNA sequencers and genetic analyzers are based on capillary electrophoresis, where labeled DNA fragments are electrophoretically separated by size as they migrate through a polymer. Find the best DNA sequencing products, including DNA sequencing kits, genomic libraries and genetic identity kits in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Food and Beverage ProcessingFood and Beverage Processing involves the preparation of food products for further analysis. Typical instrumentation includes blanchers, color sorters, cookers, grinders, and refrigeration. These are used to replicate the processes commonly used in the commercial preparation of food and beverages.Particle CharacterizationParticle characterization instruments are used to determine particle size distribution, shape, surface area, zeta potential, density and porosity of particles and materials. Multiple tecchniques are available for determining particle size, shape and count including dynamic light scattering (DLS), laser diffraction, electrozone (Coulter technique), imaging particle analysis and single particle optical sensing. Determine the density of your material with a gas pycnometer or examine its surface area and porosity with gas adsorption analyzers and mercury porosimeters. Find the best particle characterization instruments in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.AgricultureAgriculture research focuses on improving food production, crop management, and sustainability. This includes plant breeding, pest control, and soil health studies. Explore agriculture research tools in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Genetic EngineeringFood QualityFood quality refers to the attributes of food that influence its safety, nutrition, and taste. Monitoring and ensuring food quality are essential in production to meet health regulations and consumer expectations. Techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and microbial testing are used to assess food properties and detect contaminants. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find food quality testing solutions; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

Related articles

Science to Save Halloumi Cheese