The technology centre Gaiker-IK4 and the company Inkoa are involved in the MIPFOOD project dealing with a new method to entrap and detect biomolecules to guarantee food quality. In contrast to traditional antibody-based detection methods, MIPs (molecularly imprinted polymers) will be developed to behave as entrappers of agents responsible for food and beverage spoilage, and will be included in product labelling.

The ultimate target of the project is to develop "active packaging" and "smart labelling" to increase and guarantee the lifetime and quality of packaged goods. To attain this goal, the project will analyse biotic and abiotic parameters together with freshness indicators greatly depending on MIPs. It is a step forward in research to increase and guarantee quality in packaged foodstuffs, a consumers' demand and a priority for the agro-food industry.

MIPs are plastic materials capable of specifically joining target molecules by means of a "key-lock" system, thus entrapping proteins or biomolecules such as antibiotics or histamine. Such materials find multiple applications in the food industry for the detection and control of microbial (pathogenic bacteria) or other kind of pollutants.

Another innovative feature of the project lies on the method's different implementation formats: recognition material for concentration prior to analysis - in reactive strip or similar formats; smart labelling including a signal to visually evidence the presence of the analyte; MIP incorporation in active packaging for gradual and controlled release of molecules with great interest in the preservation of food properties.

The project has an overall budget of 5.4 million euros and is funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation within the framework of the INNPACTO programme. It is led by Mahou-San Miguel and Gaiker-IK4 as technical coordinator; it also involves some organisations and companies like the University of Santiago de Compostela, Feiraco, AMCOR, Pescaldía, IRTA, Nutreco and the Complutense University of Madrid, in addition to Inkoa. The research project started in June 2010 and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.