TrainMiC, Training in Metrology in Chemistry.

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

Method Validation and Reference Materials.

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

Food Safety and Quality - Activites of EC-JRC-IRMM

Abstract not availableJRC.D-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel

Rapid methods for biological and chemical contaminants in food and feed

The rapid and reliable detection of biological and chemical contaminants is extremely important in managing the safety of food and feed. "Rapid Methods" is a comprehensive reference resource for anyone interested in this subject. Developments in analytical techniques have led to the emergence of a wide range of rapid methods to complement the traditional methods. At the same time, the importance of method validation, proficiency testing, quality management, sampling and legislation have all become more widely recognised. "Rapid Methods" presents a firm base and structured framework for considering rapid analysis of biological and chemical contaminants in food and feed. The various chapters concentrate on the state of the art in rapid methods in regards to: legislation, sampling, method validation, microbial pathogens, biological materials like GMOs and allergens, toxins like bacterial food poisoning toxins, marine toxins and bio

Rapid methods : for food and feed quality determination

There is an ever-increasing need for rapid methods and instrumentation in the field of food and feed quality. Key issues dealt with in the food and feed industry include: monitoring of processes at all stages; showing due diligence in the control of food and nutritional quality; achieving rapid results for detecting (micro)biological, chemical and physical deterioration of food and feed; and finally, detecting rapidly and reliably food authenticity and/or adulteration. Developments in analytical techniques have led to the emergence of a wide range of rapid methods to complement the traditional methods. Faster results, higher productivity, lower costs and increased sensitivity are key concepts for all those involved in writing this book. Key topics include: - emerging rapid technologies; - rapid monitoring of food and nutritional quality; - rapid testing of quality deterioration and spoilage; - rapid testing of authenticity and adulteration; - quality tracking & tracing and rapid testing. The methods and techniques presented here, in their varying degree of complexity, will be a valuable resource for researchers and professionals from the food and feed industry as well as from the scientific community

Multifunctionality of floodplain landscapes : Relating management options to ecosystem services

The concept of green infrastructure has been recently taken up by the European Commission for ensuring the provision of ecosystem services (ESS). It aims at the supply of multiple ESS in a given landscape, however, the effects of a full suite of management options on multiple ESS and landscape multifunctionality have rarely been assessed. In this paper we use European floodplain landscapes as example to develop an expert based qualitative conceptual model for the assessment of impacts of landscape scale interventions on multifunctionality. European floodplain landscapes are particularly useful for such approach as they originally provided a high variety and quantity of ESS that has declined due to the strong human impact these landscapes have experienced. We provide an overview of the effects of floodplain management options on landscape multifunctionality by assessing the effects of 38 floodplain management interventions on 21 relevant ESS, as well as on overall ESS supply. We found that restoration and rehabilitation consistently increased the multifunctionality of the landscape by enhancing supply of provisioning, regulation/maintenance, and cultural services. In contrast, conventional technical regulation measures and interventions related to extraction, infrastructure and intensive land use cause decrease in multifunctionality and negative effects for the supply of all three aspects of ESS. The overview of the effects of interventions shall provide guidance for decision makers at multiple governance levels. The presented conceptual model could be effectively applied for other landscapes that have potential for a supply of a high diversity of ESS. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht