Technical Sections VI: Bioprocesses

INTRODUCTION

Postharvest Technology and Process Engineering

Advance of engineering and technology in post-harvest and agri-food processing with particular focus on properties of products, unit operations, equipment, process control and traceability in respect to ensure the high quality and safety of food.

Members:

Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany

DE Germany

TEL: +49 (0) 331 5699-613

E-mail: oschlueter@atb-potsdam.de

Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Gregory Building, Leith Walk, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand

NZ New Zealand

TEL: +64 3 479 4994

E-mail: aladin.bekhit@otago.ac.nz

Department of Agricultural & Food Engineering, University of Uyo, P. M. B 1017, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria... read-more

NG Nigeria

TEL: +2348033603462

E-mail: akindelealonge@uniuyo.edu.ng

Department of Physics and Control, Szent Istvan University, Somloi u. 14-16, Budapest 1118, Hungary

HU Hungary

TEL: +36(1)305-7205

E-mail: Baranyai.Laszlo@etk.szie.hu

Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), CV-315, km 10,7 – 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain

ES Spain

TEL:

E-mail: jblasco.ivia@gmail.com

Warsaw University Of Life Sciences, Department of Production Management and Engineering

PL Poland

TEL:

E-mail: adam.ekielski@gmail.com

Department of Horticultural Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

ZA South Africa

TEL: +27 21 808 4068

E-mail: olaniyi@sun.ac.za

Member: Prof. Yong He

Zhejiang University College of Biosystems Eng. And Food Science, 866 Yuhangtang Rd. Hangzhou 310058 P. R. China

CN China

TEL: +86 571-88982143

E-mail: yhe@zju.edu.cn

Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue... read-more

CA Canada

TEL: +1- 514-398-7779

E-mail: michael.ngadi@mcgill.ca

Bioresource Science Course, Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Japan

JP Japan

TEL: +81-47-308-8848

E-mail: ogwy@faculty.chiba-u.jp

Department of Food Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey

TR Turkey

TEL: +90-312-2105628

E-mail: gulum@metu.edu.tr

Collegium Da Vinci, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Information Technology and Data Analysis, Kutrzeby 10,... read-more

PL Poland

TEL:

E-mail: jerzy.weres@cdv.pl

Honorary Chairs/Members:

University of Hotel Management, Catering Industry and Tourism, Chodakowska 50, 03-816 Warsaw, Poland

PL Poland

TEL: +48 22 786 3233

E-mail: jozef@jozefgrochowicz.com

Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. P.O.Box X1, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa

ZA South Africa

TEL: +27 21 808 4064​

E-mail: opara@sun.ac.za; umunam@yahoo.co.uk

EMBRAPA Food Technology - Rio de Janeiro, Av. das Américas, 29501, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, Brazil

BR Brazil

TEL: +55 (21) 3622-9620

E-mail: amauri.rosenthal@embrapa.br

Food Refrigeration & Computerised Food Technology, National University of Ireland, Dublin (University College... read-more

IE Ireland

TEL: +353 1 7167342

E-mail: dawen.sun@ucd.ie

Mission, Objectives, Scope and Activities

Mission:

The mission of CIGR Section VI is to advance and promote the application of engineering principles and technologies in postharvest handling and processing of agrifood products. It is devoted to follow the trends, promote the advancement and enhance the dissemination and transfer of technology in postharvest handling and processing at a global scale.

Objectives:

The objectives of CIGR Section VI are to:

  • provide a global platform for engineers and other practitioners working in the areas of postharvest and processing;
  • enhance international experiences, exchange and co-operation, for the advancement of knowledge in this area, world-wide;
  • stimulate participation in CIGR activities, including Congresses and Conferences;
  • identify and define existing and new areas for research and /or technology transfer;
  • advance engineering knowledge for quality and safety assurance of food products.

With growing threat of food insecurity, especially in the least developed regions, the importance of agrifood process engineering has heightened in recent times. A fundamental basis of this area of knowledge is to bring together physical sciences with knowledge on product physiology and properties, in order to develop new techniques for quality recognition, maintain quality and reduce food losses and waste. Although significant advances in field production technologies have been made during the last century, contributing to improved yields and productivity, the prevailing high incidence of postharvest losses and waste due to lack of appropriate postharvest handling, storage and processing remains a global challenge towards assuring food and nutrition security. Solution to this challenge requires the concerted efforts by agricultural and biosystems engineers and other stakeholders to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions through the advancement of research and innovation.

On the other hand, the issues of quality and safety of food products has evolved into a high priority in many markets, particularly in the developed regions. Assuring food food quality and safety requires concerted efforts and investments in research and technology transfer to advance the traditional sciences and technologies, and also broaden the areas of knowledge in agrifood processing, especially the use of novel technologies for sensing and communication.

Scope:

The scope of CIGR Section VI activities includes agricultural, food and other processes in the handling and utilisation of biomaterials. The different areas covered in Section VI are defined with the following keywords:

  • postharvest handling;
  • drying and related preservation methods;
  • cooling and storage;
  • packaging and transportation;
  • quality, safety and traceability;
  • processing and value-addition;
  • sustainability of food and other biomaterials such as grains, root crops, fruit and vegetables, milk and dairy products, ready-to-eat meals, bakery products, meat, egg and egg products.

Topics covered in these areas include:

 

  • Physical properties of materials;
  • Non-destructive sensors, sensing technologies automation of processes;
  • Storage, and product quality loss, relationships to environmental conditions, especially in the tropics and sub-tropics;
  • Food safety, security and defense;
  • Decision-aid tools, simulation and modeling of processes;
  • Innovative and emerging food processing technologies;
  • Shipping and transportation of food commodities;
  • Packaging, including modified atmosphere and smart packaging;
  • Process management and optimization;
  • Supply chain innovation, track and trace;
  • Food losses and wastes, treatment and management;
  • Information technologies and development of expert systems for bioprocess optimization.

Specific topics related to Agrifood Processing Engineering include characterising and predicting the functional properties of products, design and control of equipment, design and control of bioprocesses, and the engineering design and implementation of processing plants.

Activities:

To achieve its mission and objectives, CIGR Section VI promotes and engages in a wide range of regular programmes under the auspices of the CIGR as well specifically developed activities. The range of activities undertaken by CIGR Section VI includes:

  • organising seminars, workshops or conferences connected with the objectives of CIGR-Section VI,
  • cooperating with CIGR Working Groups that deal with the activities of CIGR Section VI,
  • cooperating with the CIGR Journal by contributing and reviewing papers,
  • developing cooperation and contacts with similar international organizations,
  • advancing the broader mission and objectives of the CIGR through sponsoring and cooperation other conferences and related scientific activities in the areas of postharvest technology and food process engineering.

Collaboration with CIGR Working Groups
CIGR Section VI members play active roles in the activities of two CIGR Working Groups, namely: 

  • Image Analysis for Agricultural Processesand Products Working Group
  • Food Safety Working Group

Events organized by Section VI

Title Date Event type Location Country
13th CIGR VI Technical Symposium FWFNWG and FSWG workshops and 2019 International Joint Conference on JSAM, SASJ Tue, 03/09/2019 to Fri, 06/09/2019 Conference Hokkaido University – Sapporo Campus, Sapporo, Japan JP Japan
12th CIGR Section VI International Symposium "Promoting the exchange of knowledge on research, innovations and technologies" Mon, 22/10/2018 to Thu, 25/10/2018 Conference Ibadan NG Nigeria
CSBE/SCGAB Annual Technical Conference joint with 11th CIGR VI Technical Symposium Tue, 01/08/2017 to Sat, 05/08/2017 Conference Winnipeg CA Canada
The 10th CIGR Section VI Symposium & the XXV Brazilian Congress on Food Science and Technology Mon, 24/10/2016 to Thu, 27/10/2016 Conference Gramado BR Brazil
9th CIGR International Technical Symposium "Creating Value from Bioresources through Novel Technologies" Mon, 16/11/2015 to Fri, 20/11/2015 Conference Auckland NZ New Zealand
8th CIGR International Technical Symposium "Advanced Food Processing and Quality Management" and 1st International Congress on Contemporary Food Science and Engineering Sun, 03/11/2013 to Thu, 07/11/2013 Conference Guangzhou CN China
7th International Symposium on “Postharvest Technology and AgriFood Processing: Innovating the Food Value Chain” Sun, 25/11/2012 to Wed, 28/11/2012 Conference Stellenbosch ZA South Africa
6th International Symposium on “Towards a Sustainable Food Chain: Food Process, Bioprocessing and Food Quality Management Mon, 18/04/2011 to Wed, 20/04/2011 Conference Nantes FR France
5th International Symposium on “Food Processing, Monitoring Technology in Bioprocesses and Food Quality Management” Mon, 31/08/2009 to Wed, 02/09/2009 Conference Potsdam DE Germany
4th International Symposium on “Food and Bioprocess Technology” Sun, 31/08/2008 to Thu, 04/09/2008 Conference Iguassu Falls City BR Brazil
3rd International Symposium on “Food and Agricultural Products: Processing and Innovations” Mon, 24/09/2007 to Wed, 26/09/2007 Conference Naples IT Italy
2nd International Symposium on “Future of Food Engineering” Wed, 26/04/2006 to Fri, 28/04/2006 Conference Warsaw PL Poland
1st International Symposium on “Bioproducts Processing and Food Safety” Mon, 11/10/2004 to Thu, 14/10/2004 Conference Beijing CN China