Evaluation of the Agricultural Research Institute of Finland (MTTL). Report of the International Evaluation Group

The international evaluation group established to undertake the review of the Finnish Agricultural Economics Research Institute (MTTL) is pleased to present its report. This summarises our findings and reflects the wide-ranging discussions we had with the management, staff and stakeholders of MTTL. These discussions resulted in an analysis and assessment of the performance of MTTL and were the basis for our recommendations for the future. Agricultural economics can help Finland to promote the competitiveness of its food industry and rural services, sustain the viability of rural areas and ensure care for the environment. However, in a modern, rapidly changing industrial and scientific context, with an agricultural sector in transformation, the demands on agricultural economics and MTTL are high. In fact the pressures of change are so intense that meeting many existing and emerging research demands requires changes in MTTL and outside it: in the larger Finnish research system and in the scientific community of agricultural economics research. Against this background we have given our views of the future needs and changes we believe will assist MTTL and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland in meeting the challenges of the future. To meet our terms of reference, we have found it necessary to look not just at MTTL but also at the broader field of agricultural economics research in Finland, and how this is supported by the Finnish research system. We trust that our evaluation and recommendations will be of value to those involved in this process. We have found a welcome willingness in Finnish society, as well as in MTTL, to call upon science to meet the challenge of change and to see knowledge as the basis for a modern society. That recognition encourages us to believe that successful changes will be implemented for the benefit of the Finnish society

Isoflavone-aglycone fraction from Glycine max: a promising raw material for isoflavone-based pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products

ABSTRACT The present work was designed to obtain a fraction containing high concentration of isoflavone-aglycones from Glycine max (L.) Merr., Fabaceae, named isoflavone enriched-fraction, from a dry extract containing isoflavones-glycosides. A simple and low cost method was proposed: extraction of isoflavone glycosides from the G. max dry extract with a proper solvent, hydrolysis of the glycosides, recovery of the aglycones, and purification of the fraction containing high isoflavone-aglycones concentration. All the extraction and purification parameters were optimized based on the isoflavones yields, which were analyzed by liquid chromatography and expressed as total isoflavone aglycones. The optimization of the process conditions was accomplished using the classical one-variable-at-a-time method. The identity and purity of the isoflavones contained in this enriched fraction were determined by LC/UV/ESI/MS analysis, Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy, and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The physicochemical properties of the isoflavone enriched-fraction were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The moisture content, particle size, equilibrium solubility and thermal and photostability were also determined. The high isoflavone-aglycone content (daidzein, 489.35 mg/g; glycitein, 251.02 mg/g and genistein, 158.96 mg/g) as well as the high purity obtained (90% of total isoflavones) make this fraction a promising novel raw material for the production of isoflavone-aglycones based pharmaceuticals or functional foods

International Trade, Consumer Interests and Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy

The European Union has launched an important debate on the future of the EU budget from 2013. This discussion is to cover all aspects of EU revenue and expenditure, including that on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP has been radically transformed in recent years, but the issue of its reform, including its goals, its effectiveness in reaching them and the question of division of responsibility and financing between the EU and member states, is once again at the centre of attention. This collection features well-known experts in the field and aims to contribute to the debate on the present state and future prospects of the CAP and other EU policies. The topics covered range from the EU budget to food safety, rural development, sustainable food consumption, and the influence of international trade negotiations. Many of the ideas presented here are original and controversial and intended to fuel the debate on this important topic. For instance, there are various proposals for the EU budget, the division of responsibilities between the EU and its member states, and the shape of the CAP post-2013