Research

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch die Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung., 20.000 EUR

Project Details:
Alternative sources of nitrite or nitrate for meat product production are the subject of much current research. Since nitrite is an important additive that can be used to generate the desired cured red in meat products, and thus an appealing and stable color for the consumer, it is considered largely indispensable. While there are efforts to generate nitrite-free or -reduced products due to health concerns, these are generally characterized by a less vibrant color as well as a shorter shelf life.
Nitrite is commonly added to meat products as a mixture of nitrite ions (sodium or potassium nitrite) and table salt (synthetic nitrite curing salt (NPS)). This is countered by the growing consumer demand for meat products made using natural substances. Plant extracts, for example, which naturally contain nitrate, come into question here. This nitrate can be converted to nitrite in the production process with the aid of a starter culture. The nitrite generated in this way can subsequently induce the curing process.
In addition to plant extracts, drinking water can also be used as a source of nitrite or nitrate. If drinking water is treated with non-thermal plasma, nitrogen species (including nitrate and nitrite) are formed in the liquid. The amounts and compositions of these nitrogenous species vary depending on the plasma source, settings and treatment durations. Thanks to the kind support of the Fritz Ahrberg Foundation, we were able to purchase a plasma source in early 2021 and use it to produce plasma-activated water (PAW) for the first time. The first results showed that both nitrite and nitrate can be generated in, for a curing process, sufficient quantities. The plant available to us generates mainly nitrate ions. These could be successfully converted into nitrite by adding a nitrate-reducing starter culture in an in vitro experiment for the production of a cooked sausage product. Thus, a curing process using PAW could be successfully induced.
In addition to the direct incorporation of PAW into the browning substance in the production of cooked sausage, the use of this novel nitrate or nitrite source is also of interest for the wet curing of meat products. This research project therefore aims to gather initial knowledge on whether PAW can induce a reddening process without the addition of synthetic nitrite during the wet curing of meat products and what criteria must be met to generate an acceptable product. Possible other positive or negative effects on the product and its shelf life will be investigated and critically discussed. Physicochemical, sensory and microbiological investigations are planned for this purpose.

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch den Forschungskreis der Ernährungsindustrie e.V. (FEI), 206.756 EUR

Project Details:
Sodium chloride (NaCl) is used for the production of meat products such as raw sausages and cooked sausages, although there are health concerns regarding its use. In addition to techno-functional properties, NaCl not only affects the taste, but also the safety and shelf life of meat products, as NaCl contributes significantly to the hurdle concept by lowering water activity. The use of nitrite, in the form of nitrite curing salt, in meat products not only contributes to colour formation through reddening, flavour formation and antioxidant effects, but also unfolds an antimicrobial effect that leads to the inhibition of pathogenic or toxigenic bacteria such as Listeria (L.) monocytogenes and Clostridium (Cl.) botulinum. However, the consumption of heated meat products made with nitrite/nitrate carries the risk of ingesting nitrosamines, which are classified as carcinogenic. It is so far unclear what effects the individual and combined reductions of NaCl and nitrite really have with regard to shelf life and product safety in the meat products. This has to be considered especially against the background that the manufacturer is responsible for the safety of the product until the end of the best-before date and that food retailers want food with long shelf life. For this reason, in the present project at the Institute for Food Quality and Safety (LMQS), the content of NaCl and nitrite in raw sausages will be reduced, followed by analysis of their physicochemical (e.g. colour, pH value, aw value, shear force) and microbiological (e.g. total bacterial count) properties. The aim is to determine limit values which, when the salts are reduced, still lead to acceptable meat products for the industry. Taking into account the limit values, raw sausages (normal NaCl and nitrite contents, NaCl reduced, nitrite reduced, NaCl and nitrite reduced) will be produced by at least two industry partners in two repeats. After slicing the products will be packed under a protective gas atmosphere. These packages will be stored in the LMQS for up to 84 days, during which time they are regularly analysed physicochemically, microbiologically and, in the event of increased microbial content and/or spoilage, by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The aim is to identify typical (new) bacterial species (indicator germs) that are associated with the shelf life/ spoilage of raw sausages from industrial production. In addition, molecular biological methods for the detection of these indicator germs will also be developed. Finally, challenge tests will be carried out on packaged raw sausages with different NaCl- and nitrite-concentrations after inoculation with the detected indicator germ and Cl. sporogenes, a surrogate of Cl. botulinum. The aim is to determine the behaviour of these bacterial species in or on raw sausages with different NaCl and nitrite contents.

Cooperation Partners:

Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik (DIL) in Quakenbrück

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (DFG), 398.333 EUR

Project Details:
Virus emergence and re-emergence is an increasing public health
problem as globalization and climate change promote the spread of
infectious disease. This is particularly true for mosquito-borne
infections as mosquitoes continue to spread to new geographic
regions. Alphaviruses such as Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) belong to the group of
mosquito-borne viruses, which cause pathology in humans. The re-emerging CHIKV is causing long-lasting arthritis like symptoms, while
VEEV infection leads to encephalitis. Why the two viruses from the
same family cause pathologies in different tissues, i.e. joints versus
central nervous system (CNS), is unclear to date. This gap of
knowledge is reflected by the fact that few host factors for CHIKV and
VEEV are known. Here we capitalize on our findings that the
phosphatidylserine (PS) receptor T cell immunoglobulin mucin
receptor 1 (TIM-1) and a tetraspanin are host factors for CHIKV. We
hypothesize that (a) VEEV also hijacks PS receptors and tetraspanins
to infect human cells, (b) TIM-1 and the tetraspanin interact with
additional proteins to promote infection with CHIKV and possibly
VEEV and (c) that a subset of these host factors contribute to tissue
tropism of CHIKV and VEEV. To test our hypothesis we will initially
use unbiased state of the art quantitative proteomics methods to
identify entry factors and receptors of CHIKV and VEEV. Next we will
screen PS receptors and all 33 human tetraspanins for their role in
VEEV infection by RNA interference in human cells. TIM-1 and
Tetraspanin associated proteins will be identified by proximity labeling
in conjunction with high-resolution affinity enrichment mass
spectrometry. Finally we will investigate the contribution of the
identified host factors to tissue tropism of CHIKV and VEEV using
proteomics, single cell sequencing and virological methods.
Specifically, we will infect skin organotypic raft cultures and determine
the predominantly infected cell type as well as expression levels of
identified host factors in the susceptible versus refractory cells.
Additionally we will integrate expression data from online repositories
and measure proteomes of relevant cell types including fibroblasts
and neuronal cells. Using feature selection approaches, we will
identify host factors, which likely contribute to the distinct tissue
tropism and pathologies caused by CHIKV and VEEV. These host
factors will be systematically knocked out first in relevant cell types
and then in mice to delineate the contribution to disease manifestation
in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, this research program aims at
providing mechanistic insight into the infection processes caused by
two important human pathogens, CHIKV and VEEV. The results will
help understand disease mechanisms and may ultimately reveal drug
targets for therapeutic intervention with Chikungunya fever and
Venezuelan equine encephalitis.

Funding: #

Project Details:
The decline in insect biodiversity with negative consequences for food webs and the loss of ecosystem services is currently dramatic. The causes of the decline in insect diversity are manifold, the qualitative deterioration of their habitats, whether on land or in water, light pollution, habitat loss, competition from invasive species and environmental toxins are just some of the factors. As part of this pilot project, flowering areas and nesting aids for insects are being created on the grounds of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation. The results of a species inventory serve as the basis for targeted measures to improve the habitat. The optimizations, e.g. the creation of flowering areas with regional wildflowers, deadwood areas and insect nesting aids, are only the first steps.
Through these measures to promote key species groups, such as wild bees and butterflies, other groups of organisms can also be promoted through deadweight effects due to the improved structural offer, in order to achieve a sustainable optimization of the entire TiHo site.
Further steps are planned as part of the project, which will be scientifically supported by Bachelor's and Master's theses. The TiHo grounds, which are near-natural in many areas, already provide important habitats for numerous rare animals and plants in the urban environment. These habitats are to be recorded in detail, protected and optimized. Other planned measures include improving the ecological condition of the Bünte pond in the park, creating an interactive insect trail and an exhibition with measures to promote biodiversity in urban areas.

Funding: Verein der Förderer der Wildtierforschung e.V., 5.800 EUR

Project Details:
-

Cooperation Partners:

Chadi Touma, Abteilung Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Osnabrück

Funding: OFB (L’Office Français de la Biodiversité), 400.000 EUR

Project Details:
The European Atlantic is changing rapidly, and it is essential that neighbouring countries have access to up-to-date robust information on the status of key species and populations so that future monitoring and management can be directed effectively and efficiently to achieve and maintain favourable conservation status of species and good environmental status of European Atlantic waters. The "Small Cetaceans in European Atlantic waters and the North Sea (SCANS)" survey is being planned for summer 2022. The objective of SCANS-IV is to estimate the abundance of cetacean species in shelf and oceanic waters of the European Atlantic through a large-scale multinational aerial and shipboard survey in July 2022. This is the most appropriate survey month because of the higher probability of good sighting conditions, and also to ensure that results are comparable with those from SCANS surveys conducted in 1994, 2005/2007 and 2016 (Hammond et al. 2002, 2013, 2021). Thus, this project will represent the fourth survey in the SCANS series. SCANS-IV will deliver regionally coordinated synoptic surveys in shelf and offshore waters of the European Atlantic. It will generate robust abundance estimates for regularly occurring whale and dolphin species and improve power to detect trends in shelf and offshore species. The outputs of the project are timely for EU Member States obligations for reporting under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD Article 8: due 2024) and the next reporting round under the Habitats Directive (Article 17: 2019 - 2024) (where applicable) and allow OSPAR/HELCOM assessments. The estimates are also needed for impact assessments of offshore industries and fisheries.
The project will be achieved through the successful completion of six work packages. The first two WPs (WP1 & WP2) focus on collecting data on cetacean abundance and distribution through implementation of aerial surveys on the continental shelf and shipboard surveys in offshore waters. The data will be analysed in WP3 to generate abundance estimates, trends and perform spatio-temporal habitat modelling. WP4 will consider the long-term security of the large-scale cetacean monitoring SCANS programme in the Northeast Atlantic and propose a governance structure to ensure the continuation into the future. WPs 5 & 6 will focus on dissemination of results, project management and reporting.

Results:

Estimates of cetacean abundance in European Atlantic waters in summer 2022 from the SCANS-IV aerial and shipboard surveys. Final report published 29 September 2023. 64 pp.

https://tinyurl.com/3ynt6swa

Cooperation Partners:

Projektkoordination Dr. Anita Gilles, ITAW-Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover

University of St Andrews, United Kingdom

Joint Nature Conservation Committee, United Kingdom

Wageningen Marine Research, Netherlands

Aarhus University, Denmark

Swedish Museum of Natural History, Sweden

La Rochelle University, France

Instituto Español de Oceanografia, Spain

University of Aveiro, CESAM - Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies and Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, Portugal

Funding: SwAM; Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, 93.700 EUR

Project Details:
The European Atlantic is changing rapidly, and it is essential that neighbouring countries have access to up-to-date robust information on the status of key species and populations so that future monitoring and management can be directed effectively and efficiently to achieve and maintain favourable conservation status of species and good environmental status of European Atlantic waters. The "Small Cetaceans in European Atlantic waters and the North Sea (SCANS)" survey is being planned for summer 2022. The objective of SCANS-IV is to estimate the abundance of cetacean species in shelf and oceanic waters of the European Atlantic through a large-scale multinational aerial and shipboard survey in July 2022. This is the most appropriate survey month because of the higher probability of good sighting conditions, and also to ensure that results are comparable with those from SCANS surveys conducted in 1994, 2005/2007 and 2016 (Hammond et al. 2002, 2013, 2021). Thus, this project will represent the fourth survey in the SCANS series. SCANS-IV will deliver regionally coordinated synoptic surveys in shelf and offshore waters of the European Atlantic. It will generate robust abundance estimates for regularly occurring whale and dolphin species and improve power to detect trends in shelf and offshore species. The outputs of the project are timely for EU Member States obligations for reporting under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD Article 8: due 2024) and the next reporting round under the Habitats Directive (Article 17: 2019 - 2024) (where applicable) and allow OSPAR/HELCOM assessments. The estimates are also needed for impact assessments of offshore industries and fisheries.
The project will be achieved through the successful completion of six work packages. The first two WPs (WP1 & WP2) focus on collecting data on cetacean abundance and distribution through implementation of aerial surveys on the continental shelf and shipboard surveys in offshore waters. The data will be analysed in WP3 to generate abundance estimates, trends and perform spatio-temporal habitat modelling. WP4 will consider the long-term security of the large-scale cetacean monitoring SCANS programme in the Northeast Atlantic and propose a governance structure to ensure the continuation into the future. WPs 5 & 6 will focus on dissemination of results, project management and reporting.

Results:

Estimates of cetacean abundance in European Atlantic waters in summer 2022 from the SCANS-IV aerial and shipboard surveys. Final

report published 29 September 2023. 64 pp.

https://tinyurl.com/3ynt6swa

Cooperation Partners:

Projektkoordination Dr. Anita Gilles, ITAW-Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover

University of St Andrews, United Kingdom

Joint Nature Conservation Committee, United Kingdom

Wageningen Marine Research, Netherlands

Aarhus University, Denmark

Swedish Museum of Natural History, Sweden

La Rochelle University, France

Instituto Español de Oceanografia, Spain

University of Aveiro, CESAM - Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies and Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, Portugal

Funding: MELUND, 749.985 EUR

Project Details:
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is (re-)expanding in all parts of the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein (SH) nowadays. As an aquatic mammal, otters mainly inhabit rivers, streams and lakes but also forage along the coastlines. Otters primarily feed on fish, whereas they are considered food generalists and also target amphibians, crustaceans, birds, mammals and other invertebrates. It is assumed that the decline of certain endangeredeD fish species can be linked to the growing otter population. Furthermore, there is an increase in conflicts between fisheries and otter conservation, both nationally and internationally. Therefore, an extensive evaluation of the current conflict potential between the growing otter population, fisheries situation and conservation conflicts between species is needed. This will be covered in the frame of this research project that focuses on fisheries, natural otter habitat and spawning areas of endangered salmonids in comparison:
-Installing wildlife cameras to assess the local abundance of otters
-Dietary analysis to investigate the prey spectrum of otters
-Determination of otter individuals using spraints (genetic fingerprinting)
-Evaluation of a potential conservation conflict between otters and salmonids
-Development of acustic deterrents to protect fisheries from otters
-Analysing reproduction parameters to assess the population health of otters using specimens found dead

Results:

The project has been extended and its funding increased until December 2025. "Project increase/extension-The return of the Eurasian Otter in Schleswig-Holstein - Investigations on the ecology, potential conflicts with fisheries management and conservation"

Funding: MELUND, 103.127 EUR

Project Details:
Two populations of harbour porpoise occur in the coastal waters of the German Baltic Sea, of which the "Western Belt Sea Population" is significantly larger with an estimated 42,324 individuals (acceptance range: 23,368-76,658), compared to the "Baltic Proper population", which is considered "critically endangered" with an estimated 497 individuals (acceptance range: 80-1,091). Harbour porpoise habitat in the Baltic Sea is intensely impacted by human activities that can have a negative impact on population level. These include shipping, tourist recreational activities, military activities, fishing, offshore construction, explosions of ammunition, chemical and pharmaceutical pollution, and marine debris. In the Baltic Sea in particular, harbour porpoise are threatened by set-net fisheries, to suffer from incidental bycatches. To warn harbour porpoises of set nets, acoustic devices are increasingly being used in the German Baltic Sea. These warning devices (Porpoise Alert = PAL) simulate a communication sound of harbour porpoises. Whether these devices lead to a reduction in bycatch has not yet been conclusively investigated. Effective management measures necessitate a deeper understanding of harbour porpoise habitat use. This is urgently needed, as there is evidence of declines in harbour porpoise populations in Schleswig-Holstein's waters.
The harbour porpoise is listed in Annex II and IV of the Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directives, which obliges EU member states to monitor its conservation status. In this project, the occurrence and habitat use of harbour porpoises in the western part of the Baltic Sea is investigated by means of passive acoustic monitoring. For this purpose, porpoise click detectors (CPODs, Cetacean-Porpoise Detector) were deployed at four positions in March 2021 to record the presence of harbour porpoises. The operated monitoring stations (Holnis, Bredgrund, Schleisand and Damp) cover the area of the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Sea and are intended to close the gap in the monitoring network between Fehmarn and Denmark.

Results:

Untersuchungen zur Habitatnutzung von Schweinswalen in der westlichen Ostsee mittels passiv-akustischem Monitoring 2021-2023 (PDF, 2MB, Datei ist barrierefrei)

https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/A/artenschutz/Downloads/untersuchungenHabitatnutzungSchweinswale.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=1

Funding: Ministerium für Energie­wende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur, 308.493 EUR

Project Details:
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) is classified as endangered in Europe due to continuous The population declines. Meanwhile, its occurrence along the coast of Schleswig-Holstein has potential for conflict with the culturally established and economically important fisheries.
This pilot study will develop approaches to startle common eiders from mussel farms and allow a sustainable coexistence of conventional fisheries in the Baltic habitat and protected species. The main focus is the protection of mussel farms against common eider predation. However, the results can potentially be transferred to fisheries, to prevent unintentional bycatch of birds in gillnets.
Post-mortem examinations of common eiders will be carried out simultaneously, to find out about potential pathological causes for the population decline and gain an insight into the health status of the population. These examinations include bacteriological, virological and parasitological analyses. Furthermore, toxicological analyses will deliver information about environmental pollution load.