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Wageningen UR heeft in nauwe samenwerking met tien andere landenvertegenwoordigers en in opdracht van het Internationaal Energie Agentschap (IEA Bioenergy Task42) een uitgebreid rapport gepubliceerd over duurzame en synergetische raffinage van biomassa. Dat biedt een overzicht van de status en uitdagingen bij toepassing van efficiënte bioraffinaderijen voor de duurzame valorisatie van biomassa, zowel voor voedsel als nietvoedsel toepassingen. Doel is verbetering van de co-productie van vermarktbare, humane voedings- en veevoeringrediënten, chemicaliën, materialen, brandstoffen, elektriciteit en warmte. Fluids Processing vroeg René van Ree van Wageningen UR naar het hoe en wat.

Background: Complaints of 'food allergy' are increasing. Standardized surveys of IgE sensitization to foods are still uncommon and multicountry surveys are rare. We have assessed IgE sensitization to food-associated allergens in different regions of Europe using a common protocol. Methods: Participants from general populations aged 20-54 years in eight European centres (Zurich, Madrid, Utrecht, Lodz, Sophia, Athens, Reykjavik and Vilnius) were asked whether they had allergic symptoms associated with specific foods. Weighted samples of those with and without allergic symptoms then completed a longer questionnaire and donated serum for IgE analysis by ImmunoCAP for 24 foods, 6 aeroallergens and, by allergen microarray, for 48 individual food proteins. Results: The prevalence of IgE sensitization to foods ranged from 23.6% to 6.6%. The least common IgE sensitizations were to fish (0.2%), milk (0.8%) and egg (0.9%), and the most common were to hazelnut (9.3%), peach (7.9%) and apple (6.5%). The order of prevalence of IgE sensitization against different foods was similar in each centre and correlated with the prevalence of the pollen-associated allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 (r = 0.86). IgE sensitization to plant allergen components unrelated to pollen allergens was more evenly distributed and independent of pollen IgE sensitization (r = -0.10). The most common foods containing allergens not cross-reacting with pollens were sesame, shrimp and hazelnut. Discussion: IgE sensitization to foods is common, but varies widely and is predominantly related to IgE sensitization to pollen allergens. IgE sensitization to food allergens not cross-reacting with pollens is rare and more evenly distributed. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A key driver for the necessary sustainable development is the implementation of the BioEconomy, which is based on renewable resources to satisfy its energy and material demand of our society. The broad spectrum of biomass resources offers great opportunities for a comprehensive product portfolio to satisfy the different needs of a BioEconomy. The concept of biorefining guarantees the resource and energy efficient use of biomass resources. The IEA Bioenergy Task 42 “Biorefining” has the following definition on biorefinery: “Biorefining is the sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of bio­based products (food, feed, chemicals, and materials) and bioenergy (biofuels, power and/or heat)”. Currently many different biorefinery concepts are developed and already implemented which play a key role in establishing a BioEconomy. The purpose of the work is to provide facts and figures on different biorefinery systems and their efficient integration in existing industrial infrastructure. This information assists industry, decision makers and investors in their strategies to invest and integrate resource efficient biomass uses in the infrastructure of a future BioEconomy. Based on the activities of the 11 participating countries (A, AUS, CA, DK, FR, G, I, J, NL, US) the IEA Task 42 identified and assessed the current status and development potential of “energy­driven” biorefineries and “product­driven” biorefineries. The 14 most interesting “energy­driven” biorefinery concepts until 2025 and their value chains, including the integration and deployment options in industrial infrastructures, are analyzed. Based on the developed “Biorefinery Fact Sheet” for the most relevant biorefineries the sustainable and efficient integration of biorefineries in existing and future infrastructure is examined. The possible role of biorefineries in a BioEconomy is analyzed in a regional, national and international context. The classification and description of existing infrastructure in combination with the available biomass resources and (future) market needs shows the matching points for a resource efficient roll out of the BioEconomy by implementing various biorefineries. Examples for identified “hot spots” by coproducing high value products like food, feed, biochemicals and biomaterials are: 1) pulp&paper and wood industry to additionally produce transportation biofuels and biochemicals; 2) food&feed industry to additionally produce bioenergy carriers, 2) chemical industry to integrate biogenic resources to produce biobased chemicals. The results assist various stakeholders in finding their position on biorefining in a future biobased economy while minimizing unexpected technical, economic and financial risks., Proceedings of the 22nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 23-26 June 2014, Hamburg, Germany, pp. 1480-1485

Individuals suffering from IgE-mediated food allergy usually have to practise life-long food allergen avoidance. This document aims to provide an overview of recent evidence-based recommendations for allergen risk assessment and management in the food industry and discusses unmet needs and expectations of the food allergic consumer in that context. There is a general duty of care on the food industry and obligations in European Union legislation to reduce and manage the presence of allergens alongside other food hazards. Current evidence enables quantification of allergen reference doses used to set-up reliable food safety management plans for some foods. However, further work is required to include a wider variety of foods and to understand the impact of the food matrix as well as additional factors which affect the progression and severity of symptoms as a function of dose. Major concerns have been raised by patients, carers and patient groups about the use of precautionary 'may contain' labelling to address the issue of unintended presence of allergens; these therefore need to be reconsidered. New and improved allergen detection methods should be evaluated for their application in food production. There is an urgent requirement for effective communication between healthcare professionals, patient organizations, food industry representatives and regulators to develop a better approach to protecting consumers with food allergies. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Setting up biobased production chains, from biomass feedstock to final biobased product (energy, chemicals, materials) is a complicated process in which a whole range of decisions have to be made. Choices include what feedstocks to use, arranging logistics and most important of all the locating facilities to compact and dewater and convert the biomass into intermediates and final products. Choices depend on the local conditions and factors such as the economy-of-scale of intermediate steps and are complicated by the fact that biomass is produced dispersed ( a low density per area) and is almost by definition bulky, low in energy density and generally contains considerable amounts of water. Also other aspects such as (local and international) market demands, regulations and competing applications for biomass feedstocks are relevant aspects. The objective of this study was to develop an overview of possibilities, choices and trade-offs for production and trading of biobased commodities (e.g. raw materials and biobased chemical “building blocks”) and fuels that may guide project developers and decision makers in the development of business cases.

Food allergy can result in considerable morbidity, impact negatively on quality of life, and prove costly in terms of medical care. These guidelines have been prepared by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology's (EAACI) Guidelines for Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Group, building on previous EAACI position papers on adverse reaction to foods and three recent systematic reviews on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of food allergy, and provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of food allergy. While the primary audience is allergists, this document is relevant for all other healthcare professionals, including primary care physicians, and pediatric and adult specialists, dieticians, pharmacists and paramedics. Our current understanding of the manifestations of food allergy, the role of diagnostic tests, and the effective management of patients of all ages with food allergy is presented. The acute management of non-life-threatening reactions is covered in these guidelines, but for guidance on the emergency management of anaphylaxis, readers are referred to the related EAACI Anaphylaxis Guidelines. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Background: An inverse association between markers of exposure to foodborne and orofecal pathogens and allergic sensitization has been reported. However, the findings of epidemiological studies have not been consistent. This study investigated the relationship between antibodies to hepatitis A, Toxoplasma gondii and salmonella and allergic sensitization to food and aeroallergens in children from different geographical areas. Methods: Specific IgE and/or skin prick testing against food and aeroallergens were measured in children from 6 to 12 years of age residing in Greece, the Netherlands, China, India and Russia. Seropositivity to the three pathogens was measured, and data on potential confounders were collected using questionnaire. Results: Data from 800 children (126 from Athens; 248 from Utrecht; 110 from Hong Kong; 119 from urban Tomsk; and 197 from rural Tomsk) could be analysed. The highest percentage of positive serology to salmonella was found in Hong Kong (46.4%), to T. gondii in urban Tomsk (13.4%) and to hepatitis A in Athens (71.2%). Although not significant, T. gondii seropositivity tends to be negatively associated, and hepatitis A seropositivity tends to be positively associated with allergic sensitization. Conclusion: Inconsistent associations were observed between allergic sensitization to food and aeroallergens and markers of exposure to two common foodborne pathogens. The association with T. gondii tends to be negative, consistent with the 'hygiene hypothesis', but the association with hepatitis A tends to be positive. Taken together, there is no clear evidence that past exposure to foodborne and orofecal pathogens protects against allergic sensitization to food or aeroallergens. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

IEA Bioenergy Task 42 „Biorefining“ has the following definition on biorefinery: “Biorefining is the sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of bio-based products (food, feed, chemicals, materials) and bioenergy (biofuels, power and/or heat)”. Currently many different and various biorefinery concepts are developed and are already implemented. Based on the activities of the 12 participating countries (A, AUS, CA, DK, FR, G, I, IR, J, K, NL, US) the task identifies and assesses the current status and development potential of “energy-driven” biorefineries and “product-driven” biorefineries. The assessments are based on a “Full Value Chain Approach”, covering raw material issues, conversion processes and final product use in an integrated approach and assessing economic, socio-economic, environmental and social aspects in comparison to conventional processes and products. As a first step the 15 most interesting “energy-driven” biorefinery concepts until 2025 and their value chains, including the integration and deployment options in industrial infrastructures, are analyzed. As the development status and the perspectives for implementation and development of these energy driven biorefineries are different the IEA task develops a “Biorefinery Fact Sheet” for the uniform description of the key facts of a Based on a technical description and the classification scheme the mass and energy balance is calculated for the most reasonable production capacity for each of the selected biorefineries. Then the three dimensions – economic, environmental and social -of sustainability are assessed for each biorefinery and documented in a compact form in the “Biorefinery Fact Sheet”. Based on these sheets an easy comparison of the different biorefinery systems is possible. The “Biorefinery Fact Sheet” assists various stakeholders in finding their position on biorefining in a future biobased economy. The “Biorefinery Fact Sheets” will be made for the 15 most interesting “energy driven biorefinery systems” identified by IEA Bioenergy Task 42., Proceedings of the 21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 3-7 June 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark, pp. 573-577

Background: Kiwifruit is a common cause of food allergy. Symptoms range from mild to anaphylactic reactions. Objective: We sought to elucidate geographic differences across Europe regarding clinical patterns and sensitization to kiwifruit allergens. Factors associated with the severity of kiwifruit allergy were identified, and the diagnostic performance of specific kiwifruit allergens was investigated. Methods: This study was part of EuroPrevall, a multicenter European study investigating several aspects of food allergy. Three hundred eleven patients with kiwifruit allergy from 12 countries representing 4 climatic regions were included. Specific IgE to 6 allergens (Act d 1, Act d 2, Act d 5, Act d 8, Act d 9, and Act d 10) and kiwifruit extract were tested by using ImmunoCAP. Results: Patients from Iceland were mainly sensitized to Act d 1 (32%), those from western/central and eastern Europe were mainly sensitized to Act d 8 (pathogenesis-related class 10 protein, 58% and 44%, respectively), and those from southern Europe were mainly sensitized to Act d 9 (profilin, 31%) and Act d 10 (nonspecific lipid transfer protein, 22%). Sensitization to Act d 1 and living in Iceland were independently and significantly associated with severe kiwifruit allergy (odds ratio, 3.98 [P =.003] and 5.60 [P

Peach lipid transfer protein (LTP) can cause severe allergic reactions to peach-allergic patients. It belongs to the nonspecific LTPs family, a class of proteins extremely resistant both to proteolytic digestion and to high temperatures. Food processing can either drop or increase the allergenicity, depending on the process and on the food. As far as peach-derived products (pulp, juice) are concerned, it has been previously shown how thermal treatment performed in an autoclave does not decrease LTP allergenicity. In this work, it was attempted to investigate whether sequential microwave and ultrasound processing could affect the allergenicity of peach juice. Incubation with specific anti-Pru p 3 serum showed how treating peach peel with microwave at 140 °C and with ultrasound does not eliminate Pru p 3 IgE binding properties. The application of MW/US protocol on peach pulp appeared to be insufficient for the reduction of IgE binding to Pru p 3.

Background: Lentils are increasingly consumed in many parts of the world. Two allergens, Len c 1 and 2, have been reported previously. Recently, peanut and green bean lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) have been identified as the first two members of an important group of allergens that might be associated with severe food allergies. Objective:To investigate lentil LIP as a potential new allergen. Methods: Efficacy of LIP extraction was monitored at different acidic pH values, using immunoblotting with cross-reactive anti-peach LIP antiserum. Natural LIP was purified from lentil extract and expressed as recombinant allergen in Escherichia Sera from 10 lentil-allergic and/or-sensitized patients (Spain: 6, Italy: 1 and the Netherlands: 3) were used to further characterize lentil LIP. Results: Natural lentil LIP, purified from the homogenized germinated seeds and optimally extracted at pH 3, was identified and designated as allergen Len c 3. By CAP, 9/10 sera showed specific IgE to Len c 3. Recombinant (r) Len c 3 was successfully purified. The natural (n) Len c 3 CAP was completely inhibited by rLen c 3/rPru p 3. IgE binding to lentil pH 3 extract blot was completely inhibited by rLen c 3. Conclusion: The availability of immunochemically active nLen/rLen c 3 as a novel legume allergen facilitates further development and implementation of a third (next to peanut and green bean) legume LIP in component-resolved diagnosis strategies and contributes to evaluate the clinical importance of legume LTPs. Preferential extraction of Len c 3 (pH 3) will affect the production of sensitive extract-based diagnostic tests. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

The FAST project (Food Allergy Specific Immunotherapy) aims at the development of safe and effective treatment of food allergies, targeting prevalent, persistent and severe allergy to fish and peach. Classical allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT), using subcutaneous injections with aqueous food extracts may be effective but has proven to be accompanied by too many anaphylactic side-effects. FAST aims to develop a safe alternative by replacing food extracts with hypoallergenic recombinant major allergens as the active ingredients of SIT. Both severe fish and peach allergy are caused by a single major allergen, parvalbumin (Cyp c 1) and lipid transfer protein (Pru p 3), respectively. Two approaches are being evaluated for achieving hypoallergenicity, i.e. site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification. The most promising hypoallergens will be produced under GMP conditions. After preclinical testing (toxicology testing and efficacy in mouse models), SCIT with alum-absorbed hypoallergens will be evaluated in phase I/IIa and IIb randomized double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) clinical trials, with the DBPC food challenge as primary read-out. To understand the underlying immune mechanisms in depth serological and cellular immune analyses will be performed, allowing identification of novel biomarkers for monitoring treatment efficacy. FAST aims at improving the quality of life of food allergic patients by providing a safe and effective treatment that will significantly lower their threshold for fish or peach intake, thereby decreasing their anxiety and dependence on rescue medication. © 2012 Zuidmeer-Jongejan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The IEA Bioenergy Task 42 „Biorefineries“ made the following definition on biorefinery: “Biorefining is the sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of bio­based products (food, feed, chemicals, materials) and bioenergy (biofuels, power and/or heat)”. “Energy­driven” biorefineries and “product­driven” biorefineries are distinguished. Based on the ongoing activities in the 12 countries (A, AUS, CA, DK, FR, G, I, IR, NL, T, UK, US) participating in Task 42, the task identifies and assesses the current status and development potential of both “energy­driven” biorefineries (incl. biofuels) and “product­driven” biorefineries. These assessments are based on a “Full Value Chain approach”, covering raw material issues, conversion processes and final product applications in an integrated approach. As a first step the 15 most interesting “energy­driven” biorefinery concepts until 2020 and their value chains, including the integration and deployment options in existing industrial infrastructures, are analysed. These concepts produce the following transportation biofuels: biodiesel, bioethanol, FT­biofuels, biomethane from upgraded biogas and SNG (synthetic natural gas) with the following feedstocks: oil crops, oil residues, sugar and starch crops, wood chips, straw, grass, saw mill residues, (sulfite) liquor, algae. The Task 42 is assessing the sustainability of these concepts by analysing economic, environmental and social aspects in comparison to conventional processes and products., Proceedings of the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 6-10 June 2011, Berlin, Germany, pp. 1075-1079

Met name de niet energie gerelateerde onderdelen van de Biobased Economy nemen in de komende jaren naar verwachting een grote vlucht. Dit legt een druk op het gebruik van biomassastromen voor bio-energie.Een te radicale transitie waarbij de aandacht voor bio-energie zou verslappen, heeft potentieel negatieve gevolgen voor de introductiesnelheid van nieuwe Biobased Economy toepassingen. In deze analyse wordt geargumenteerd dat de bio-energie sector juist een belangrijke rol kan spelen in de transitie naar de bredere Biobased Economy, o.a. bij het in stand houden, ontwikkelen en uitbouwen van biomassaketens en bij het verwerken van biomassareststromen.

Road ecology has developed into a significant branch of ecology with steady growth in the number of refereed journal articles, books, conferences, symposia, and “best practice” guidelines being produced each year. The main objective of this special issue of Ecology and Society is to highlight the need for studies that document the population, community, and ecosystem-level effects of roads and traffic by publishing studies that document these effects. It became apparent when compiling this special issue that there is a paucity of studies that explicitly examined higher order effects of roads and traffic. No papers on landscape function or ecosystem-level effects were submitted, despite being highlighted as a priority for publication. The 17 papers in this issue, from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and USA, all deal to some extent with either population or community-level effects of roads and traffic. Nevertheless, many higher order effects remain unquantified, and must become the focus of future studies because the complexity and interactions among the effects of roads and traffic are large and potentially unexpected. An analysis of these complex interrelations requires systematic research, and it is necessary to further establish collaborative links between ecologists and transportation agencies. Many road agencies have “environmental sustainability” as one of their goals and the only way to achieve such goals is for them to support and foster long-term and credible scientific research. The current situation, with numerous small-scale projects being undertaken independently of each other, cannot provide the information required to quantify and mitigate the negative effects of roads and traffic on higher levels. The future of road ecology research will be best enhanced when multiple road projects in different states or countries are combined and studied as part of integrated, well-replicated research projects.

In this study we reinvestigated the kinetics of allergen release from birch pollen (Betula verrucosa) and timothy grass pollen (Phleum pratense) using different protein extraction procedures, immunoblotting with specific antibodies and immune electron microscopy. Pollen allergens such as the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v I, the major timothy grass pollen allergens, Phl p I and Phl p V, group-II/III allergens from timothy grass and profilins were released rapidly and in large amounts from hydrated pollen. Within a few minutes pollen allergens could be detected in aqueous supernatants prepared from birch and grass pollen with serum IgE or specific antibodies. In parallel the allergen content in the pollen pellet fractions decreased. A nonallergenic protein such as heat shock protein 70 can be extracted in sufficient amounts only with harsh extraction procedures. Immune electron microscopy of dry and rehydrated birch pollens showed that after short hydration, the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v I, migrated into the exine and to the surface of intact pollen grains, whereas profilin, against which a lower percentage of patients is sensitized, was retained in the pollen grain. Comparing the amino acid composition and hydrophilicity of the tested allergens with a nonallergenic protein such as heat shock protein 70, no significant difference was noted. In agreement with earlier observations we conclude that the allergenic properties of proteins are rather linked to the amount and speed of solubility from airborne particles than to intrinsic properties.

Rapport van het International Energy Agency (IEA) over de productie van bio-energie, het gebruik van biomassa en de toepassing van bioraffinage in Nederland.

Door uitvoering van een deskstop studie heeft WUR, in samenwerking met ECN, onderzocht of co-productie van biobrandstoffen en bio-based producten leidt tot meer marktcompetitieve biobrandstofproductie. De centrale vraagstelling van de studie was of aangetoond kan worden dat “co-productie” resulteert in realisatie van meer marktcompetitieve waardeketens voor grootschalige en duurzame inzet van biomassa in de biobased economy. De studie naar de financiële haalbaarheid van een twaalftal biobrandstofketens laten zien dat co-productie van biobrandstoffen tezamen met bio-based producten een goede methode is om additionele waarde toe te kennen aan de totale biomassa-product-keten. De co-producten die tezamen met biobrandstoffen geproduceerd kunnen worden zijn zeer divers. In het algemeen bestaat er voor deze co-producten een omvangrijke afzetmarkt, en gaat het om producten die op dit moment grotendeels uit aardolie vervaardigd worden. Technologieën voor productie en toepassing van hoogwaardige co-producten die naast biobrandstoffen uit biomassa geproduceerd kunnen worden bevinden zich in verschillende stadia van ontwikkeling.

De productie van tweede generatie biobrandstoffen is nog te duur om aan de grote vraag naar duurzame brandstof te kunnen voldoen. Een consortium van internationale organisaties werkt daarom aan een beter productieproces en wil meer uit biomassa gaan halen dan alleen ethanol

Background: The epidemiological surveys in children and adults of the EU-funded multidisciplinary Integrated Project EuroPrevall, launched in June 2005, were designed to estimate the currently unknown prevalence of food allergy and exposure to known or suspected risk factors for food allergy across Europe. We describe the protocol for the epidemiological surveys in children and adults. This protocol provides specific instructions on the sampling strategy, the use of questionnaires, and collection of blood samples for immunological analyses. Methods: The surveys were performed as multi-centre, cross-sectional studies in general populations. Case-control studies were nested within these surveys. The studies in children aged 7-10 years and adults aged 20-54 years were undertaken in eight centres representing different social and climatic regions in Europe. Results: After a community-based survey collecting basic information on adverse reactions to foods, all those stating they had experienced such reactions, as well as of a random sample of those stating 'no reactions' to foods, completed a detailed questionnaire on potential risks and exposures. Also a blood sample was taken to allow serological analysis to establish patterns of food and aeroallergen sensitization. We also included a questionnaire to schools on their preparedness for dealing with food allergy amongst pupils. Subjects reporting adverse reactions to foods and sensitized to the same food(s) were called in for a full clinical evaluation that included a double blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), following a protocol which is described in detail elsewhere. Conclusions: The outcome of these studies will help to improve our understanding of several important aspects of food allergies in the European Community, providing for more well-informed policies and effective measures of disease prevention, diagnosis and management. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Deze Roadmap Bioraffinage beschrijft een aantal mogelijke routes naar de ontwikkeling en implementatie van een bioraffinage-gerelateerde Bio-based Economy in Nederland. De Roadmap combineert korte- en middellange termijn mogelijkheden (commerciële implementatie, demonstratie plants, pilot plants en gerelateerd toegepast onderzoek) met strategisch onderzoek voor de langere termijn. Tevens zijn vier z.g. Moonshots uitgewerkt, als voorziene bioraffinagestrategieën met een grote potentie voor de Nederlandse economie