INFRASTRUCTURE

Policy

The purpose of the Unit is the synergy of research and business sector for the production of high-quality, certified food products. Its operation aspires to link academic research with primary production (livestock), food industry and local tradition, with actions related to:

  • provision of high-quality services and development of tools/products in Agri-Food
  • training in new technologies
  • training and consulting of companies and organizations
  • evaluation and improvement of new analytical methods and techniques
  • operation at national and international level

Ecosystem of innovative services

The Dairy Research Unit possesses a high level of expertise and technological capability that ensures quality services to stakeholders. Innovation, state-of-the-art equipment, expertise, and coordination of several research projects guarantee that stakeholders will enjoy high-quality services.

Commitment to quality

The Milk Research Unit (with ISO 17025 accreditation) is committed to providing high quality services with valid results. The reliability of the results will help stakeholders make the necessary decisions to address emerging issues and ensure that quality and safety standards are properly met.

Focus on animal husbandry and food industry

The specialized staff of the Milk Research Unit will exploitthe modern equipment of the facility to carry out microbiological, physicochemical, and molecular analyses on foods of animal origin, with the aim of:

  • Ensuring the authenticity of PDO, PGI and EPIP products, e.g., composition of traditional local products (milk, meat, and products thereof) or adulteration of fresh milk and Feta cheese from other types of milk with the help of molecular (DNA) and immunoenzymatic (ELISA) methods
  • Dissemination and application of precision livestock farming (PLF) by developing tools for improved herd management and surveillance of metabolic (ketosis, acidosis, lameness) and non-metabolic (mastitis) diseases to advance the competitiveness of livestock farms by a) reducing losses, veterinary costs, and breeding costs, and b) improving milk production
  • Quality control and hygiene assessment of foods of animal origin
  • Shelf-life and safety evaluation of foods of animal origin