Macadamia shells could save lives

Scientists have discovered that macadamia nut shells could be a powerful tool for Australian hospitals to use in the treatment of poisonings.

Funded by Hort Innovation, and conducted by Murdoch University, the new research shows that crushed macadamia shells could be more efficient than traditional charcoal in treating certain kinds of poisoning, such as paracetamol overdoses.

Currently, Australian medical facilities treat patients by having them ingest a charcoal made from coconut shells which expands in the stomach to soak up toxins.

This latest research has found the absorption rate of crushed macadamia shells is similar to the traditional coconut shell treatment but can be specially engineered to be more effective at mopping up toxins, and drug specific.

Hort Innovation chief executive John Lloyd said the new finding paves the way for growers and processors to tap into an additional income stream.

“Limiting food waste is an increasing area of research investment for horticulture industries. Growers are always looking for novel ways to repurpose their produce off-cuts,” he said.

“When it comes to macadamias, 65 per cent of the weight of the nut is in the shell so there is a huge volume of shell generated.

“These findings are exciting because they present a great opportunity to add value, providing another revenue stream in macadamia production.”

Head researcher, Dr Gerrard Eddy Jai Poinern, said the study uncovered surprising results.

“At the Nanotechnology Research Labs, we’ve engineered a super absorbent solution with the unique inner matrix of the macadamia shells to mop up molecules of paracetamol at remarkable rates,” he said.

“By grinding and engineering the macadamia shells into micro particles we can create a new form of activated charcoal solution that helps trap the drug molecules that are poisoning the body.”

The same study, which was conducted with funding from macadamia industry levies and funds from the Australian Government through Hort Innovation, also found some interesting potential uses for macadamia shells in the gold mining industry.

Research showed that the high-quality activated carbons in macadamia shells could be used during the carbon-in-pulp process companies use to extract gold.

“The gold industry in Australia relies heavily on imported coconut-based activated carbons, with demand here and worldwide very high, presenting an ideal opportunity to better utilise macadamia shells,” Dr Poinern said.

He said next, researchers need to refine the process of macadamia nut shell conversion to improve properties such as strength, toughness and absorption performance to bring the products up to medical grade and gold industry standard.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kelly Vorst-Parkes on +61 447 304 255 or Kelly.vorst.parkes@horticulture.com.au

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날씨와 농장 환경 변화로 수확량 전망 대폭 하향

호주의 시즌 중반 마카다미아 수확량 전망이 대폭 하향 조정됐다. 이는 최근 수년간 가장 어려우면서도 예측 불가능한 시즌을 겪고 있는 생산자들과 가공업체들의 대응 상황을 반영한 결과이다. 지속되는 기상 이변으로 인해 현재 시점에서는 실제 공급 가능 물량을 정확히 파악하기 어렵다. 이에 따라, 예측 수확량은 기존 수분 함량 3.5% 기준 인쉘 55,960톤(수분 함량 10%기준 인쉘 60,000톤)에서 수분 함량 3.5% 기준 인쉘 37,300~41,970톤(수분 함량 10% 기준 인쉘 40,000~45,000톤)으로 하향 조정됐다.

호주 마카다미아 테크니컬 가이드 공개 - 식품 업계 전문가를 위한 새로운 실무 자료

호주 마카다미아 협회는 전 세계 식음료 업계 전문가에게 소비자 관련 정보, 혁신 관련 소식, 생산 현황 등을 제공하기 위해 오랜 기간 노력을 기울여 왔다. 그 결과 마카다미아가 제품 개발에 가져오는 이점에 관한 인식과 함께 원료로서의 활용에 대한 관심도 그 어느 때보다 높아지고 있다.

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