ERDF project No. 2010/0317/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/159

Project manager: Dalija Segliņa

Aim of the project – sea ​​buckthorn as a biologically active substance use extension for the diversification of the pharmaceutical product assortment through innovative technology.

The project will be implemented for the period 25 months in Dobele  and Riga, in cooperation with Latvian Fruit Institute (project applicant) and company Silvanols Ltd. (partner).

The project provided for the scientific study, which covers the fruit and the pharmaceutical industry.

The project activities has an economic character, because:
1. Project is enforced by public research institution on behalf of the merchant;
2. Intellectual property rights deriving from scientific institutions in the Project activities will be fully allocated to the merchant.

Scheduled activities:

1. Feasibility study.
2. Sea buckthorn extract and raw material research.
3. Experimental design and product evaluation.
4.  Consolidation of intellectual property rights of research results. 

In the result of the Project for the first time in Latvian will be developed a new type of preventative preparation using previously unused raw material - sea buckthorn sprout base.  Product is intended to build in a capsule form because of for the consumer ease of use. Acquired sea-buckthorn extract is provided as a preventive remedy made from natural substances with high antioxidant content, which could have a significant alternative to the synthetic medical preparations available in market.

The project will be implemented by Latvian Fruit Institute (project applicant) in cooperation with "Silvanols" Ltd. (partner).

Actions taken and results achieved in the 1.st period of project

1st activity: Technical feasibility study

During the period technical feasibility study has been accomplished

2nd Activity: Sea buckthorn extract and raw material research

Activity 2.1.: Industrial feasibility study

During the reporting period:
1)  research literature is carried out of the sea buckthorn leaf chemical composition and application possibilities
2)  more widely used extraction methods and solvents used in scientific research is explored;
3) information of sea buckthorn  raw material is summarized and purchase contract is signed.

Activity 2.2. : Sea buckthorn raw qualitative and quantitative evaluation

During the reporting period buckthorn sprouts in different growth phases is purchased and their biochemical assessment is started.

Activity 2.4.: Extract technology development
During the reporting period literary studies of the extraction technology is carried out and potential companies  in technological development is identified. 

Activity 2.5. :  Public access provision for research results
Participation in the conference Eurowork  (Potsdam, Germany) with the presentation of the project intermediate results. 

Information collected: 14.01.2011.

Actions taken and results achieved in the 2nd period of project

2nd Activity: Sea buckthorn extract and raw material research

Activity 2.1.: Industrial feasibility study

During the reporting period:

1)      More widely used methods of extraction  in scientific research is carried out and mostly used solvents are selected.

  2) Information of the necessary equipment leasing options is selected and lease agreement is signed.

Activity 2.2. : Sea buckthorn raw qualitative and quantitative evaluation.
During the reporting period:

1)  Sea buckthorn sprouts drying parameters is studied;
2)  Development of methodology for the determination of fiber (ADF andNDF) is initiated.

Activity 2.3.: Extract preparation, solvent selection

During the reporting period:

1) Continued study of the literature about the effects of extraction methods on extract chemical composition;
2)  Testing of solvent extraction of sea buckthorn sprouts is started.

Activity 2.4.: Extract technology development

During the reporting period:

1) Samples of sea buckthorn sprout dry extract is prepared for the test;
2)  Dry extract of the storage experiments is started.

Activity  2.5. :  Public access provision for research results.
Publications of buckthorn sprout use in food and medicine (will be published in the journal "Agrotops") is on the preparation process. 

Information collected: 14.04.2011.

Actions taken and results achieved in the 3rd period of project

2nd Activity: Sea buckthorn extract and raw material research

Activity 2.1.: Industrial feasibility study

During the reporting period:

1) Sea buckthorn new sprout chemical composition samples are studied;
2)  Total phenols, C, E, vitamins content, antiradical activity and iron reduction potential is determined;
3)  Methodology for determining the total amount of flavonoid is developed.

Activity 2.2. : Sea buckthorn raw qualitative and quantitative evaluation

During the reporting period sea buckthorn sprout quantification of research is made in determining the length, weight, quantity.

Activity 2.3.: Extract preparation, solvent selection

During the reporting period:

1) Determination of flavonoid of sea buckthorn leaves and sprouts in water and alcoholic extracts is started;
2)  Extraction experiments using oil as extractant is continuing.

Activity 2.4.: Extract technology development

During the reporting period experiments of shoot processing with  CO2 is continuing.

Activity 2.5. :  Public access provision for research results.
During the reporting period has started the preparation for participation in scientific publications 5th ISA congress in China (02.-10.09.2011.) 

Information collected: 11.08.2011.