Research of a new plant conditioner to reduce toxin production in cereals, other plants, and detoxification of food raw materials and animal feed using industrial-scale ozone technology
- Bálint Analitika Ltd. (consortium leader)
- University of Debrecen
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics
The contamination of bread cereals with weather-induced toxins severely affects the entire national economy, leading to the destruction of cereals. Therefore, it is a national interest to grow, produce, and sell healthy and economically loss-free plants both domestically and internationally. The project aims to develop a technology and related complex service for detoxifying infected cereals and pests, as well as preventing infections.
Currently, the procurement of capsaicin compounds on the market is a multi-million item. During the development of the appropriate synthesis, the use of expensive auxiliary materials will be minimized, avoiding unnecessary by-products, with a strong focus on selecting atom-efficient reactions, reducing energy consumption, and ensuring sustainability.
Compared to conventional cultivation technologies, the integrated plant protection technology based on the application of allelochemicals may be suitable for the introduction of advanced, higher requirement integrated plant protection systems, allowing the protection of beneficial organisms.
Unlike current market players, the service aims to provide a proactive and preventive solution to the problem. The market demand for the developed technologies (cost-effective synthetic production of capsaicin and ozone-based cereal disinfection) ensures the viability of our planned services. The issue raised in the project affects not only Hungary's food industry but is a well-known global challenge, thus the research has international significance.
The consortium leader BÁLINT ANALITIKA Ltd. is one of Hungary's largest and most renowned chemical and medical diagnostic laboratories, having participated in numerous successful research projects.
Project Results
- Phase 1 (September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022)
- Phase 2 (September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023)
- Phase 3 (September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024)
Project number 2020-1.1.2-PIACI-KFI-2021-00234 was implemented with the support of the Innovation and Technology Ministry from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed by the 2020-1.1.2-PIACI KFI grant program.
BÁLINT ANALITIKA Ltd., HAJDÚ GABONA Plc., University of Debrecen and BUDAPEST UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMICS have successfully completed the research and development project titled “Research of a new, efficient plant conditioner to reduce toxin production in cereals, other plants, and detoxification of food raw materials and animal feed using industrial-scale ozone technology” with project ID 2020-1.1.2-PIACI-KFI-2021-00234.
BÁLINT ANALITIKA Ltd., HAJDÚ GABONA Plc., University of Debrecen and BUDAPEST UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ECONOMICS have successfully completed the research and development project with project ID 2020-1.1.2-PIACI-KFI-2021-00234. The aim of the project was to develop a new, efficient plant conditioner that reduces toxin production in cereals and other plants, and serves to detoxify food raw materials and animal feed using industrial-scale ozone.
During the project, the consortium leader BÁLINT ANALITIKA Ltd. was one of Hungary's largest and most renowned chemical and medical diagnostic laboratories. The project involved the development of technology and related complex services.
As a result of the research, we developed a new, efficient, scalable semi-continuous technology for synthesizing capsaicinoids. For the production of capsaicin derivatives, we developed laboratory procedures based on the principles of green chemistry, which were successfully scaled up in both batch and flow chemical conditions. Using these procedures, we produced 20 capsaicinoids, 12 of which were new and not previously found in the literature.
We also conducted field experiments to prove the preventive effect of capsaicin treatment. We developed a protocol for the application of capsaicin treatment in field crops. Based on the results, capsaicin treatment has no effect on the physical and chemical state of cereals and plants, and the nutritional values of treated cereals are identical to untreated cereals. In addition to the results, it is important to highlight the high insecticidal and rodent repellent effect observed.
We developed the technology for toxin degradation in laboratory conditions. The results of the experiments were monitored using instrumental analytical methods, confirming the breakdown of toxin molecules. Ozone treatment was applied in laboratory, pilot, and industrial environments. At the Hajdú Gabona site and industrial system, we developed both online and inline ozone treatment technologies. Analysis of the nutritional values of ozone-treated wheat and comparative measurements with reference crops confirmed that ozone treatment did not cause significant changes in nutritional values.
Using the two developed technologies, we created a complex service that allows detoxification and pest control of infected cereals, and prevention of infections can begin already in the field, significantly reducing potential damages.
Project number 2020-1.1.2-PIACI-KFI-2021-00234 was implemented with the support of the Innovation and Technology Ministry from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed by the 2020-1.1.2-PIACI KFI grant program. The project was carried out between September 1, 2021 and August 31, 2024 with a non-refundable grant of 799.55 million HUF.
Development of a method for origin determination based on the isotope ratio analysis of soils and plant species.
Project Summary
For tracking agricultural products, the production site should be indicated instead of the place of origin. The aim of the project was to research the diversity of the quantity and isotope ratios of metals, metalloids, and rare earth elements in the soils of domestic production sites.
Based on samples analyzed with ICP-MS technology, an isotope ratio database covering Hungary's production areas was created, which helps filter out products of false origin.
Danube Sediment Balance – Sustainable Sediment Management in the Danube River Basin.
Project Summary
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- Advanced sediment monitoring and data management.
- Joint planning with stakeholders.
- Development of a cross-border integrated plan.
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Project Summary
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Project Summary
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