Objectives
Water activity measurement (aw) or in other words the equilibrium Relative Humidity (eRH) has been successfully used for decades in food industry and more recently in seed industry for moisture management. Moisture assessment by means of aw is non destructive and therefore a very interesting method for scarce or high-priced seed lots. It is commonly acknowledged, now, that bacterial, fungal, chemical and physical properties of natural products are more closely related to aw than gravimetric moisture content. This workshop aims to discuss the potential role of water activity as a new method for seed testing. Lectures and practical aspects related to water activity measurement will be considered in relation with gravimetric moisture content.
Preliminary program
Wednesday 13th :
Welcoming address, Introduction to water activity: Fundamentals and Relationships – lectures
In connection with moisture content and, water potential and best stability values for storage
Measuring water activity – operational aspects and related technologies, instruction, domain of application (orthodox vs. recalcitrant) – lectures and training
Including demonstration and practical work with Aw measurement apparatus
Thursday 14th :
Am: Practical use of water activity measurement in forest seed industry:
– lectures, demonstration and training
– seed lot qualification, sorption isotherms, aw of best storage, universal value for orthodox seeds
– long term seed aw management during storage
Pm : Visit of Cemagref facilities and “Domaine des Barres” national arboretum
Including demonstration of the Cemagref seed and pollen dryer based on aw control.
Friday 15th :
Am: The prospective role of water activity in seed testing and applied to ex situ genetic resources conservation – discussion
Pm: End of discussion, conclusion and transfer of participants to Montargis railway station.
Social events
Day 1, Montargis and the “Girodet” museum
Day 2, Trip to ”Vallée de la Loire”, official dinner.
Workshop language
English
Lecturers
Fabio Gorian, Chairman of the ISTA Forest Tree and Shrub Seed Committee
Hugh Pritchard, Chairman of the ISTA Storage Committee
Harry Nijenstein, Member of the ISTA Moisture Committee
Fabienne Colas, Direction Recherche Forestière, Ministère des ressources Naturelles et de la Faune, Québec
François Mariette, Cemagref Rennes, head of the IRMFOOD research team
Patrick Baldet, Cemagref Nogent sur Vernisson, Forest Ecosystems research unit
Local Organiser
Cemagref
Domaine des Barres
45290 France
http://www.cemagref.fr/le-cemagref/cemagref-1/view?set_language=en
Contact person: Patrick Baldet
patrick.baldet@cemagref.fr
Phone +33 (0)2 38 95 09 64
Fax +33(0)2 38 95 03 46
Registration
The workshop is planned for 25 participants maximum
Registration fees
300 € for ISTA Members
450 € for Non-ISTA Members
The workshop fee includes workshop material, coffee and lunch breaks, museum visit, the official workshop dinner and an excursion. Accommodation and other dinners are not included.
Registration deadline: September 05, 2010
Accommodation
Hotel IBIS **
2 place Victor Hugo, 45203 Montargis
Tél : 33 (0)2 38 98 00 68
Fax 33 (0)2 38 89 14 37
Cemagref has already reserved rooms at special rates for workshop participants (81€ per night including breakfast).
