Research

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: 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: Milchwirtschaft Niedersachsen e.V. (LVN), 30.000 EUR

Project Details:
Klinische und subklinische Mastitiden führen zu Einbußen in der Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit der Milchwirtschaft. Häufig werden Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) und Streptococcus
uberis (S. uberis) als Erreger nachgewiesen, durch die Antibiogrammpflicht neuerdings vermehrt auch multiresistente Escherichia coli (E. coli). Der Einsatz von Antibiotika soll in
Hinblick auf die mögliche Verbreitung resistenter und ultiresistenter Erreger so weit wie möglich gesenkt werden. Es wird daher dringend nach alternativen Behandlungsmethoden
mit einer hohen antibakteriellen Wirksamkeit gesucht.
Die Ziele des Projektes sind:
a) Isolierung und Charakterisierung geeigneter Phagen
b) Auswahl von Phagen mit hoher Wirksamkeit gegenüber klinischen
Bakterienisolaten aus der Milchviehhaltung
c) Langfristig soll eine Erhöhung der Wirtschaftlichkeit der Milchviehhaltung dadurch erreicht werden, dass innovative und naturnahe Therapien ohne Wartezeiten entwickelt werden, die die Lieferfähigkeit der Milch nicht beeinträchtigen.
d) Zusätzlich wird mit dem Einsatz naturnaher Alternativen zur Antibiotikatherapie sowie der Verbesserung des Tierschutzes durch wirksame Behandlungsstrategien, dem Wunsch des Verbrauchers nach natürlichen Lebensmitteln Rechnung getragen. Damit liefert dieses Projekt durch Reduktion des Antibiotikaeinsatzes in der Milchproduktion neben der Verbesserung des Tierschutzes auch einen Beitrag zum gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz.

Project Details:
The project "Phages in small animal medicine" is a cooperative project of the Clinic for Small Animals, the Institute for Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, the Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety/Center for Translational Studies, the Institute for Microbiology and the Institute for Pathology. The project aims at gaining new insights into the effectiveness of bacteriophages (phages) that specifically infect Staphylococcus (S.) pseudintermedius, ESBL-producing E. coli, Acinetobacter baumanii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as multi-resistant enterococci. The use of specific bacteriophages will be tested in ex-vivo models.

Funding: Umweltbundesamt, (Geschäftszeichen: 25 105/0386, Projektnummer: 3721252010) Fachbegleitung: Ulrike Pirntke, UBA, 199.989 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to develop a monitoring and assessment concept for the pollutant load of marine mammals in the North and Baltic Seas. The work thus also contributes to the implementation of the requirements for descriptor 8 (pollutants) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
Within the scope of the contract, the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) Foundation will evaluate the current state of knowledge on pollutant loads and health effects for harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) from the North and Baltic Seas using existing publications, reports and data sets. For this purpose, studies from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea as well as from other marine areas will be used. Furthermore, a monitoring and assessment concept for the pollution load of marine mammals under the MSFD, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM) and the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) will be developed. The utilization of the determined pollutant data in marine mammals for the chemical legislation, e.g. REACH, Plant Protection Act will be ensured together with UBA.
In order to be able to assess the pollutant load, assessment thresholds for selected pollutants for the protection of marine mammals will be developed together with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ): environmental quality standards (EQS) will be derived for the selected pollutants, following the methodology of the EU Technical Guidance Document (TGD) No. 27, in order to comply with the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the MSFD and the regional conventions OSPAR as well as HELCOM in approach and level of protection. The aim is that the marine mammal EQS to be developed will support the implementation of descriptor 8 (pollutants) and indicator development at OSPAR as well as HELCOM for a (regional) assessment of marine mammal pollutant loads.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Annika Jahnke, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)/PTJ Jülich, 197.600 EUR

Project Details:
The North and Baltic Seas are currently undergoing increasing change due to human activities and climate change. The aim of the subproject of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, conducted by the Institute of Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, is to identify and establish pathogens in native marine mammals and in the environment as indicators of increasing anthropogenic pressures on marine mammals. Habitat changes and effects of anthropogenic activities on marine mammals could be detected at an early stage and serve the development of management recommendations and political and societal decision-making processes with regard to the protection and sustainable use of coastal and marine areas. For this purpose, existing data from previous projects on marine mammals from the planned observatories' areas will be compiled. In addition, new data will be obtained during the project from live and dead grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and taken from the environment at the selected observatories/sampling stations (real laboratories), which include Borkum Riffgrund, Sylt Outer Reef and Eckernförde Bay. The swab, tissue and water samples are analyzed for the bacteria and selected viruses present using various modern methods. The loads are recorded both qualitatively and quantitatively. The data obtained will be used to assess whether there have been changes in the loads at the three sites over the past 25 years. In addition, the data will be analyzed with respect to pathogens with indicator suitability, and appropriate pathogens will be integrated into the long-term monitoring strategy of the reallaboratories. This integrated research on marine mammals, together with the results of the other project partners, forms an overall picture. This research will make an important contribution to the sustainable use and protection of the coasts and seas, as well as their inhabitants, and thus to the conservation of biodiversity.

Cooperation Partners:

Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven inklusive Helmholtz-Institut für Funktionelle Marine Biodiversität an der Universität Oldenburg

Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel

Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik, Bonn

GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde

Max-Planck-Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie, Bremen

Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Bremerhaven

Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig

Universität Greifswald

Universität Oldenburg

Rostock Universität Rostock

Leibniz-Zentrum f. Mar. Tropenforschung Bremen

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)/PTJ Jülich, 528.494 EUR

Project Details:
Marine mammals, such as grey seal, harbor seal and harbor porpoise, are important top predators in the ecosystem of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. All species have a high conservation status in Europe and are sensitive to changes and disturbances in their environment. They are therefore considered important indicators of the state of marine ecosystems. In order to consider this group of species in ecosystem models accordingly and also to make assessments as well as management measures, both the demands on their habitat and the influences of anthropogenic stressors have to be included.
The aim of this project is to integrate the occurrence of marine mammals in the novel cross-scale end-to-end (E2E) model system being developed in CoastalFutures in an interdisciplinary manner. With this model system, the project creates a virtual environment to study impacts of climate change and anthropogenic uses on ecosystems and key species, and to test different management measures that have not yet been evaluated, especially in the context of marine mammal population protection and conservation.
The project will improve prediction of temporal and spatial changes in marine mammal abundance and develop an understanding of those processes that influence interannual and seasonal variability in species distribution. In addition, model development involves stakeholders to evaluate current and potential use patterns and test management actions. Anthropogenic stressors, such as the effects of offshore wind energy development, will be investigated through telemetry studies of harbor seals to draw conclusions about the effects of noise emissions on energy budgets via recording and modeling behavioral responses. This will allow for a multifactorial, more comprehensive assessment of human-caused underwater noise. The use scenarios will be run in combination with scenario simulations of regional impacts of future climate change using the marine mammal distribution models and coupled with the end-to-end (E2E) model system.
As a result, the project generates urgently needed action knowledge for the implementation of political-societal targets, e.g. from the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and enables the evaluation of the effectiveness of management options for the protected good 'marine mammals' under future climate conditions.

Cooperation Partners:

Hereon Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung

Prof. Corinna Schrum, Institut für Küstensysteme -Analyse und Modellierung

IOW Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde

CAU-FTZ Universität Kiel, Forschungs- und Technologiezentrum Westküste

TUBS Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leichtweiß-Institut für Wasserbau

UHH Universität Hamburg, Institut für Meereskunde

TI-SF/OF Thünen-Institut (TI für Seefischerei, TI für Ostseefischerei)

LUH Leibniz Universität Hannover, Ludwig-Franzius-Institut

AWI Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung

TUHH Technische Universität Hamburg, Institut für Wasserbau

BSH Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie

DWD Deutscher Wetterdienst

BAW Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau

BfN Bundesamt für Naturschutz

SWIMWAY SWIMWAY Wattenmeer-Gruppe

Funding: BfN, 272.431 EUR

Project Details:
The project aims to determine thresholds for marine mammals to show behavioural responses to ship noise and other significant anthropogenic underwater noise. For this purpose, up to 8 grey seals in the German North Sea will be transmitted with DTAGs, which record the movement and the received underwater sound on the animal. The grey seal data collected will be analysed together with data from 14 harbour seals in the German Wadden Sea and the Danish Limfjord already collected in previous projects. The sound data will be analysed with regard to ship passages. Subsequently, the ship passages will be assigned to individual ships that have been detected by AIS in the vicinity. The proportion of ship passages that originate from ships equipped with an AIS system is examined. In the further analysis, behavioural reactions that occur in connection with anthropogenic underwater noise are determined. In this analysis, threshold values are determined above which behavioural responses to underwater noise occur, thus making a significant contribution to environmental objective 6-01, the "derivation and application of biological thresholds for the effect of underwater noise on relevant species". The
behavioural responses will also be investigated in terms of distance to vessels, vessel types and cruising speeds. This step will enable an evaluation of the chances of success of proposed noise reduction or protection measures (in the sense of Environmental Objective 6-04), such as a speed limit, determination of shipping routes or the establishment of quiet zones. The studies should help to find a balance between the ecological, economic and social aspects of the use of the oceans. The overall impact of humans on the marine ecosystem is to be reduced to a tolerable level in order to enable sustainable use for future generations.

Funding: Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV), 125.800 EUR

Project Details:
In order to be able to improve the prevention of work-related health hazards, a proposal for a standardised test procedure for the validation of air purifiers for indoor spaces should be available after completion of the research project. The test procedure should both verify the effectiveness of the applied procedure with regard to the reduction of the virus load in the indoor air in addition to other manufacturer specifications, and also takes into account possible risks for people who are in the treated indoor spaces after or during the air purification (e.g. nitrogen oxides, photobiological safety).

Cooperation Partners:

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.

Forschungsstelle: Fraunhofer Institut für Holzforschung (Wilhelm Klauditz-Institut - WKI - )

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), 140.519 EUR

Project Details:
Mosquito-borne arboviruses are an increasing (re-)emerging threat for more than 781 million people in Africa (70% of the continental population) (Weetman et al., 2018). Aedes-borne yellow fever (YFV), dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) as well as Aedes- and Culex-borne Rift Valley fever (RVFV) virus infections have been documented from the African continent, but reports are sketchy. The absence of evidence-based risk maps for arbovirus infections prevents adequate planning of both public health and research resources. Although the main vectors Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopitus and Culex quinquefasciatus are prevalent in Central and West African countries (Kreamer et al., 2015); the distribution and the frequency of arboviral infections and outbreaks display a surprising heterogeneity between and within certain countries. Thus, we ask the key question: Do genetic variability and bionomic differences in local mosquito vector populations influence arbovirus occurrence across countries in West Africa?
Here we propose to assess the difference in human exposure to arboviruses (through an epidemiologic and serologic study) based on in-depth multi-national investigation on the vector?s biting behavior, virus surveillance, and the genetic structure of vector populations. We will conduct our study in three West and Central African countries (Benin, Gabon and Côte d?Ivoire) with different and specific epidemiological profiles. Benin (West Africa) will present a setting with low arboviral occurrence, Gabon (Central Africa) will represent a latent focus with high arboviral occurrence where no outbreaks have been reported since 2010, and Côte d?Ivoire (West Africa) will represent an active focus with high arboviral occurrence where ongoing outbreaks have been reported recently. In each country, the study will be conducted in already known arbovirus foci or potential arbovirus foci with arbovirus detection from either human, animal or mosquitoes. As arboviruses have been reported mainly in large African cities, the study will be conducted in the capital cities (and their surrounding towns) of every country to maximize the probability to observe an arboviral infection We will select three sites representing each rural, suburban or urban area to capture potential variability in arbovirus prevalence in connection with mosquito species diversity, and vector and human populations.
The outcomes will help directly to set up a sustainable network on arboviruses (termed EcoVir-network) which will work to contribute to improving the surveillance, prevention and control of arboviruses in Africa. Furthermore, we will build a well-trained new generation of young African scientists through our training program, who will in future contribute to arbovirus control in Africa.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Steffen Borrmann: Tübingen, Germany

Dr. Julien Zahouli Bi Zahouli: Abidjan; Côte d?Ivoire

Prof. Dr. Luc Salako Djogbenou: Abomey-Calavi, Benin

Dr. Gäel Darren Maganga: Franceville, Gabon

Prof. Dr. Ayola Akim Adegnika: Lambarene, Gabon

Prof. Dr. Jacques Mavoungou: Libreville, Gabon