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Activities

Since its establishment in 1984, DRI has conducted considerable research and training-dissemination work, with a significant impact on the Greek dairy sector and traditional cheese production. Most of the DRI research work has been published in international scientific journals and/or presented in international and national scientific congresses or symposia (viz. Publications). Specifically, up to date the DRI activities have been focused on the following main research topics and objectives:

  • Study of the chemical and microbiological quality of ewe and goat milk of native Greek (Epirus) breads
  • Validation and application of suitable methods and processes for the detection of various residues in milk and milk products
  • Standardization of traditional Greek cheeses – Improving cheese quality, hygiene and safety by various classical and innovative approaches
  • Development of new products based on milk – Production of cheeses with reduced fat and sodium (NaCl) content
  • Applying modern/advanced technologies in the production of milk products
  • Protecting consumer health – Study of the behavior of milk-borne pathogenic bacteria in traditional Greek (PDO) cheeses – compliance of current research needs and control measures with the EU Regulation 1441/2007

 

Most of the above activities have been supported financially by collaborative research projects between DRI and other scientific or industrial partners at both national and international level, mainly bilateral or multilateral EU projects. Specifically, DRI has co-participated in funded collaborative actions with the University of Ioannina (Laboratory of Medicine, Nuclear Physics, Industrial Chemistry and Food Chemistry), Agricultural University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Agricultural Experimental Station of Ioannina, DODONI S.A. milk industry, traditional cheese plants Pappas Bros. and Karalis S.A., the Greek Food Industries Association (SEVT), as well as with research units in other EU countries, such as INRA-France, Technical University of Munchen (TUM)-Germany, University of Ljubljana (UL)-Slovenia, and University degli studi di Bari and Centro Ricerca Animale (CRA) Italy.

Research project funds provided by: the National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAGREF), the Greek Ministry of Agriculture, the Greek Secretariat for Research and Technology, the Agricultural Bank of Greece (ATE), the European Commission (FAIR, AIR, 6FP), NATO, various milk industries and the Municipality of Epirus.