Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

The Lower North Shore Bioproducts Solidarity Cooperative, a Canadian company from the Lower North Shoreof Quebec that uses wild berries to make various food products. However, during the transformation process, aconsiderable amount of residues (composed essentially of seeds and skin) are not useable in the finishedproduct. Skins and seeds of fruits and berries are recognized for their high content in antioxidants and phenoliccomponents (polyphenols) such as anthocyanidins that could be used in the composition of natural healthproducts in Canada. In fact, they are recognized for their antioxidant activities as they neutralize free radicalsand reduce the risk of cancer. However, depending of the type of transformation, the polyphenols andanthocyanidins contents can vary in concentration and in quality. This project aims at determining theconcentration of polyphenols and anthocyanidins in these residues before and after two simple transformationmethods (desiccation and hydrodistillation). The transformation processes can easily be incorporated in a foodtransformation unit such as one used by the Lower North Shore Bioproducts Solidarity Cooperative. The finalobjective of this project is to identify processing opportunities to enhance the production capacity; minimizewaste; and develop a new sustainable market for residues produced in the first transformation process,therefore assisting with the development of this Canadian owned company from the Lower North Shore.