Publications
NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.
2025
Abstract
Eucheumatoid seaweed farmers face a confluence of challenges emanating from presumed nutrient deficiency due to over-cropping, leading to low yields and frequent ice-ice disease outbreaks. Despite limited data on systemic nutrient limitations, some farmers clandestinely apply commercial inorganic fertilizers to accelerate growth and harvest premature crops after half of the prescribed 45-day cultivation period, sparking controversy. Unlike terrestrial agriculture, the use of inorganic fertilizers in eucheumatoid seaweed farming (ESF) is contentious. This stems from the haphazard use of the term “organic” to classify sea-grown crops without using synthetic fertilizers. However, when anthropogenic inorganic nutrient pollution fertilizes coastal seas, this effectively disqualifies these crops from the “organic” produce classification. This paper critically explores the use of artificial nutrient enrichment in ESF, assessing its impact on the crop's growth, ice-ice disease mitigation, carrageenan quality, and the marine environment. While controlled fundamental studies have shown that nutrient enrichment can significantly increase growth and potentially reduce disease occurrence, its inconsistent positive and negative effects on carrageenan yield and quality require further investigation with emphasis on organismal nutrient physiology and metabolism. Inorganic nutrient enrichment could also potentially alter the microbiome of eucheumatoid seaweeds. Whether inorganic nutrient enrichment in ESF will be sanctioned by the local and global regulators and policy makers, or not, increased knowledge is crucial for establishing basic science in order to rationally discuss challenges contributing to the decreasing production of quality raw, dried, eucheumatoid seaweed biomass for carrageenan processing, without compromising environmental and social responsibilities. Currently, the routine use of inorganic fertilizers in ESF is not authorized and remains a very sensitive issue, especially among marginalized subsistence seaweed farmers. In conclusion, inorganic nutrient enrichment in ESF presents a double-edged sword: whilst it can boost growth and potentially combat disease, its practice raises concerns on carrageenan yield and quality, and environmental pollution, as well as regulatory organic codes, necessitating further research for responsible implementation, when sanctioned. The bottom line is that when prescribed by regulators, the raw dried seaweed (RDS) and the subsequent products (both semi-refined and refined carrageenans) cannot be certified as “organic” when the crop is cultivated using inorganic fertilizers.
Authors
Adrian Unc Majdi R. Abou Najm Paul Eric Aspholm Tirupati Bolisetti Colleen Charles Ranjan Datta Trine Eggen Belinda Eline Flem Getu Hailu Eldbjørg Sofie Heimstad Margot Hurlbert Meriam Karlsson Marius Støylen Korsnes Arthur Nash David Parsons Radha Sivarajan Sajeevan Narasinha J. Shurpali Govert Valkenburg Danielle Wilde Bing Wu Sandra F. Yanni Debasmita MisraAbstract
Arctic food systems blend Traditional Ecological Knowledge with modern, often energy-intensive influences, triggered by colonization. Food systems’ future depends on alignment of tradition with innovation, facilitation of resilience and a heritage-driven interaction with the global economy – at a pace determined by local communities.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Ararsa Derese Seboka Lu Feng John Morken Muyiwa S. Adaramola Getachew Birhanu Abera Gebresilassie Asnake EwunieAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Mohammad Tirgariseraji A. Pouyan Nejadhashemi Mahmood Sabouhi Sabouni Yaghoob Jafari Tomas Persson Alisher Mirzabaev Alireza Nikouei Kieron Moller Naser Shahnoushi ForoushaniAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Monica Sanden Eirill Ager-Wick Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Anne-Marthe Ganes Jevnaker Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Ville Erling Sipinen Tage ThorstensenAbstract
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of soy leghemoglobin produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii for food uses in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. Soy leghemoglobin produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii This application is submitted to gain authorisation for the use of soy leghemoglobin (the liquid preparation is referred to as “LegH Prep”) produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii (yeast) as a flavouring (“meaty taste”) in meat analogue products that will be marketed in the European Union (EU). Soy leghemoglobin is intended for addition to meat analogue products that are for use in foods such as burgers, meatballs, and sausages. Komagataella phaffii-strain employed in the production of soy leghemoglobin contains genetic modifications which allow it to express this protein. Following fermentation, the cells are lysed, and the soy leghemoglobin is concentrated by physical means. The soy leghemoglobin is delivered in a liquid preparation (LegH Prep) that is standardised to contain up to 9% soy leghemoglobin on a wet weight basis and a soy leghemoglobin protein purity of at least 65%. The remainder of the protein fraction in the LegH Prep is accounted for by residual proteins from the Komagataella phaffii production strain. These residual proteins are all endogenous to Komagataella phaffii as the gene coding for the expression of soy leghemoglobin is the only gene from a different organism. VKM has assessed the documentation in application EFSA-GMO- NL-2019-162 and EFSA's scientific opinion for the use of soy leghemoglobin produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii. The scientific documentation provided in the application is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with the EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified microorganisms for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO Panel does not consider leghemoglobin from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii to imply potential specific health risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA opinion is adequate also for Norwegian considerations. Therefore, a full risk assessment was not performed by VKM. About the assignment: (...)
Authors
Monica Sanden Eirill Ager-Wick Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Anne-Marthe Ganes Jevnaker Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Ville Erling Sipinen Tage ThorstensenAbstract
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize DP51291 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. Genetically modified maize DP51291 Genetically modified maize DP51291 (application GMFF-2021-0071) was developed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation. DP51291 plants contain the transgenes ipd072Aa and pat which encode the proteins IPD072Aa and PAT (phosphinothricin acetyltransferase). IPD072Aa confers protection against susceptible corn rootworm pests, and the PAT protein confers tolerance to glufosinate herbicide. The phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) protein that was used as a selectable marker. VKM has assessed the documentation in application GMFF-2021-0071 and EFSA's scientific opinion on genetically modified maize DP51291. VKM concludes that the applicant's scientific documentation for the genetically modified maize DP51291 is satisfactory for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidelines for risk assessment of genetically modified plants for food or feed uses. The genetic modifications in maize DP51291 do not indicate an increased health or environmental risk in Norway compared with EU countries. EFSA's risk assessment is therefore sufficient also for Norwegian conditions. As no specific Norwegian conditions have been identified regarding properties of the genetically modified maize DP51291, VKM's GMO panel has not performed a complete risk assessment of the maize. (...)
Authors
Monica Sanden Eirill Ager-Wick Johanna Eva Bodin Nur Duale Kristian Prydz Volha Shapaval Tage ThorstensenAbstract
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of soy leghemoglobin produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii for food uses in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. Soy leghemoglobin produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii This application is submitted to gain authorisation for the use of soy leghemoglobin (the liquid preparation is referred to as “LegH Prep”) produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii (yeast) as a flavouring (“meaty taste”) in meat analogue products that will be marketed in the European Union (EU). Soy leghemoglobin is intended for addition to meat analogue products that are for use in foods such as burgers, meatballs, and sausages. Komagataella phaffii-strain employed in the production of soy leghemoglobin contains genetic modifications which allow it to express this protein. Following fermentation, the cells are lysed, and the soy leghemoglobin is concentrated by physical means. The soy leghemoglobin is delivered in a liquid preparation (LegH Prep) that is standardised to contain up to 9% soy leghemoglobin on a wet weight basis and a soy leghemoglobin protein purity of at least 65%. The remainder of the protein fraction in the LegH Prep is accounted for by residual proteins from the Komagataella phaffii production strain. These residual proteins are all endogenous to Komagataella phaffii as the gene coding for the expression of soy leghemoglobin is the only gene from a different organism. VKM has assessed the documentation in application EFSA-GMO- NL-2019-162 and EFSA's scientific opinion for the use of soy leghemoglobin produced from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii. The scientific documentation provided in the application is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with the EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified microorganisms for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO Panel does not consider leghemoglobin from genetically modified Komagataella phaffii to imply potential specific health risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA opinion is adequate also for Norwegian considerations. Therefore, a full risk assessment was not performed by VKM. About the assignment: (...)
Authors
Kristin Opdal Seljetun Åsa Maria Olofsdotter Espmark Endre Grimsbø Tor-Atle Mo Sonal Jayesh Patel Espen Rimstad Marco Antonio Vindas Erik Georg Granquist Grete H. M. Jørgensen Janicke Nordgreen Ingrid Olesen Sokratis Ptochos Amin SayyariAbstract
Bakgrunn: Millioner av fisk bedøves og avlives i norsk akvakultur hvert år. Fiskens velferd er beskyttet gjennom lovverket, og det er krav om at alle individer skal være bevisstløse før avlivning og holdes bevisstløse til de er bekreftet døde etter avblødning. Det er mangelfull kunnskap om i hvilken grad de forskjellige bedøving og avlivningsmetodene som brukes i Norge oppfyller regelverket for alle aktuelle fiskearter. Oppdrettsfisk har forskjellig anatomi, fysiologi og adferd, og det er individuelle forskjeller i størrelse og helsestatus som det må tas hensyn til ved slakting. På grunn av dette ba Mattilsynet Vitenskapskomiteen for mat og miljø (VKM) gjøre en vurdering av hvilke kriterier for dokumentasjon av metoder som vil sikre fiskevelferden under slakting, samt hvordan forskjeller mellom fiskeartene kan påvirke fiskevelferden og krav til dokumentasjonen. VKM ble også bedt om å oppsummere kunnskapen og risikofaktorer for fiskevelferden ved metoder for bedøving og avliving for oppdrettsfisk i Norge. Metoder: VKM opprettet en arbeidsgruppe med ekspertise innen fiskevelferd, slaktemetoder og risikovurdering. Litteratursøk ble utført av Folkehelseinstituttet. Det ble også utført ytterligere manuelle søk, inkludert gjennomgang av artikler sitert i den nyeste litteraturen, søk i prosjektdatabasen til Fiskeri- og havbruksnæringens forskningsfinansiering og nettsteder til offentlige organisasjoner. Artene som ble inkludert i søket var fisk som oppdrettes i Norge til konsum: laks, regnbueørret, røye, ørret, kveite, piggvar, torsk, flekksteinbit og yellowtail kingfish. I tillegg ble enkelte fiskearter inkludert som ikke går til konsum, men som fortsatt kan komme til slakteriene: fisk brukt til lakselusbekjempelse (rognkjeks, berggylt, bergnebb, grønngylt, grasgylt) og villfisk (sei, hyse) som kan ha kommet inn i merdene under produksjonsfasen. Effektene av bedøvelse og avliving på fiskens velferd ble vurdert ved å følge en modifisert versjon av EFSAs veiledning om vurderingskriterier for søknader om nye eller endrede bedøvningsmetoder. Vurderinger: Velferden hos fisk er essensiell under bedøving og avlivning, og det er viktig å etablere kunnskap om metoder som sikrer at alle individer holdes bevisstløse til de er bekreftet døde. Elektroencefalogram (EEG) er den beste metoden til å bekrefte bevisstløshet og død. Måling av EEG på enkelt fisk er derimot ikke praktisk gjennomførbart på slakteriet i dag, og derfor må forskjellige fysikkrelaterte parametere sammen med atferds- og fysiologiske indikatorer brukes. Elektrisk bedøvelse er en metode som forårsaker midlertidig bevisstløshet. Den største risikofaktoren for redusert fiskevelferd med denne metoden er derfor at fisken gjenvinner bevisstheten før avblødning. Effekten av elektrisk bedøvelse varierer mellom artene, og det er nødvendig med dokumentasjon av effekten hos hver enkelt art. Antall fisk som kommer til tørr elektrisk bedøvelse er en viktig faktor for fiskevelferden, siden for mange fisk på en gang øker risikoen for utilstrekkelig bedøvelse og dermed unødvendig smerte og lidelse for fisken. Slagbedøvelse forårsaker umiddelbart og irreversibelt tap av bevissthet når slagene påføres korrekt og med tilstrekkelig kraft. Utføres slaget feil, for eksempel ved å treffe fisken på feil sted eller med for lite kinetisk energi, kan fisken forbli bevisst mens den blir avlivet. Dette vil forårsake lidelse for fisken. Automatiske slagbedøvere må tilpasses til fiskens størrelse og art, sistnevnte fordi hjernens plassering varierer mellom arter. Den største velferdsrisikoen ved avlivingsmetoden gjellekutting er utilstrekkelig kutting med langsom avblødning, noe som resulterer i at fisken kan gjenvinne bevisstheten før den er død. (...)