A BRAND new food factory in Western Australian will give multiple value-adding options for the state's horticulture products.
Murdoch University has partnered with the WA government in the $15 million Sustainable Innovative Food Technologies (SIFT) Centre.
The centre is the result of a WA government partnership with the Future Food Systems CRC.
Murdoch University will explore transformation of ingredients produced by farmers into value-added food products using state-of-the-art equipment and new technologies.
One example given was Manjimup avocados being turned into longer shelf-life guacamole by the partial inactivation of an enzyme that causes browning while other processes could lock in nutritional value or improve taste.
Murdoch vice chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks said the SIFT centre was the latest addition to a best-in-class food manufacturing ecosystem in WA.
"It provides, at a commercial scale, a pathway to grow and value-add our food businesses to make new products," he said.
"This is important because real market potential and subsequent success can only truly be measured by placing products into the market and having customers buy them, repeatedly.
"The facility provides an opportunity for small to medium sized enterprises to scale batch test new food products for local markets and for export.
"Such products are being developed and tested in the Murdoch Research and Development Centre managed by the University's Food Futures Institute."
Agri-businesses looking to develop new products will be supported by industry experts, backed by Murdoch University research and development.
Murdoch University's Food Futures Institute director Professor Peter Davies said while the SIFT Centre provided a platform for strong partnerships and collaborations between the university and business, it would also support local students into food science degrees; support PhD research; and attract preeminent scientists from around the world.
"The SIFT Centre represents a major commitment by Murdoch to support industry development throughout the State, renewing our commitment to creating value for the agricultural sector; strengthening the excellence of our teaching and research facilities; and supporting our businesses - small and large - to make better, more nutritious food," Professor Davies said.
Minister for agriculture and food, Jackie Jarvis and Future Food System Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) chair Fiona Simpson joined Murdoch's deputy vice chancellor research and innovation, Professor Peter Eastwood, to officially unveil the plaque at the SIFT Centre, located at the Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia in Nambeelup last month.
