The CPUT Functional Food Research Unit is set to convert its research into sellable products after being awarded a R3.2 million grant from the institution’s Innovation Board.
The Board, which was set up last year, is tasked with identifying and funding research at CPUT that can be commercialised.
In 2008, the Board called on researchers and innovation centres to submit proposals, highlighting their innovation capacity.
Out of the 13 proposals received, the Functional Food Research Unit, which is based in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, was the only one to secure funding and support from the Innovation Board.
The Unit, which has been operational since 2007, focuses on the research of foods that are beneficial to the health of consumers.
Head of the Cape Town based Unit, Prof Spinney Benade, welcomed the funding and said it will boost their current activities and assist in the rollout of new research projects.
The Unit, which is the only one of its kind in South Africa , places a huge emphasis on innovation.
Prof Benade said in order to commercialise research the unit follows a strategy whereby they identify a problem in a target population, conduct research on it and then develop a product that will alleviate or prevent the problem.
Currently the Unit is developing a range of unique pre-cooked baby cereals and food supplements, which is aimed at preventing micronutrient deficiencies.
Research has found that after weaning, young children do not follow a correct diet and are prone to developing micronutrient deficiencies. Sub-clinical micronutrient deficiencies also lead to impaired growth and cognitive development, birth defects, decreased school and work performance and poor general health.
“In South Africa 5000 children die each year of micronutrient deficiencies,” said Prof Benade.
The Unit conducted large scale research on micronutrient deficiencies and then created products that will provide children with the necessary nutrients. It also conducted clinical trials of the product.
“We have already done acceptability trials in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We had a good response,” he said.
Prof Benade said they are now looking at commercialising the products.
“Our aim is to secure a memorandum of understanding with industry. We would like the royalties from sales of products to come back to CPUT for research,” he said.
The Innovation Board funding will also assist the Unit in rolling out new research projects, which could have a huge impact on the international functional food industry.
One of the research projects that commenced this month focuses on determining the daily intake of Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
Dr Maretha Opperman, who works with Prof Benade said: “This type of study has never been done anywhere in the world. It is unique.”
To date researchers have only been able to determine a daily intake for vitamins and minerals.
However, the Unit plans to be the first to publish the recommended daily intake of Omega 3. “We are also working on a project to determine the true omega-3 fatty acid contents of these supplements on the South African market in order to ensure safety and trustworthiness of Omega-3 fatty acid supplements available to the consumer” she said.
Dr Opperman said securing the funding is a huge achievement for the Unit “This is a big grant and confirms the importance of the Unit’s research,” she said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Technology Innovation & Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo said they opted to back the unit because they have “real products” that are ready for the market.
Dr Nhlapo said they will call on researchers to submit proposals to the board later this year.
By Candes Keating
Photo: (clockwise) A professional nurse takes a sample from a participant in the Omega-3 study; Dr Maretha Opperman of the Functional Food Research Unit; Lab Manager Fanie Rautenbach
Written by CPUT News
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