Laboratory Title: Microbiology, Biotechnology & Hygiene

Faculty:

School: Agricultural and Forestry Sciences

Email: alexopo@agro.duth.gr

Telephone: 2552041169 2552041137

Website:

The Laboratory of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Hygiene was founded in 2002 (P.D. 298, GG 264/31-10-2002) and is part of the Food Science and Technology Sector. Main Activities & Knowledge Areas The laboratory focuses on research and the provision of services in the following main areas: • Food and environmental microbiology: Emphasis on fresh/processed products, aquatic ecosystems and the microbial ecology of the normal microflora. • Biotechnology: Applications to plant products and agricultural by-products. • Hygiene: Safety control for fresh or processed foods, as well as for water for human consumption or industrial use. • Quality assurance systems: Development and implementation of quality standards.

1. Food and Environmental Microbiology • Fresh and Processed Products: Investigating the microflora of raw raw materials, fresh produce, and processed food products. • Aquatic Ecosystems: Analyzing microbial ecology, structural diversity, and water quality within natural water environments. • Normal Microflora Ecology: Exploring the dynamics, baseline profiles, and behavior of natural microbial communities. 2. Plant and Agricultural Biotechnology • Biotechnology of Plant Products: Developing strategies to optimize, process, or enhance plant-based agri-products. • Agricultural By-products: Finding biotechnological applications to upgrade, reuse, or extract value from agrarian waste streams and by-products. 3. Hygiene and Quality Assurance • Food Hygiene: Ensuring safety thresholds for fresh and manufactured foodstuffs to prevent contamination. • Water Quality: Monitoring water intended for human consumption or designated for industrial application. • Quality Management Systems: Researching and structuring rigorous quality assurance frameworks tailored for the agri-food market.