NSAC delegation investigates tree fruit research in Japan

A team of NSAC researchers has completed an investigative travel in Japan to study the current tree fruit research and development activities and also to investigate the possibility of developing collaborative research and academic programs between NSAC and the Japanese tree fruit research institutes.

The NSAC delegation comprises of the president Dr. P. Hicks, assistant professor V. Rupasinghe and adjunct professor C. Embree had a chance to meet and discuss the possible collaborations with Dr. E. Miwa, the president of the National Agricultural and Bio-oriented Research Organization (NARO), the core institute for federal agricultural research in Japan.

The NSAC researchers have also visited a several key institutes that are involved in tree fruit research including: the National Institute of Fruit Tree Science (NIFTS) research facilities in Tsukuba, Morioka and Shizuoka; the National Food Research Institute (NFRI) in Tsukuba; the Apple Experimental Station and Hirosaki University in Aomori and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Fukuoka University.

With the involvement of other Canadian tree fruit scientists, the NSAC researchers are planning to develop international collaborative research projects in the areas of exchange and assessment of new tree fruit germplasm with superior fruit quality; preharvest and postharvest techniques to improve the health promoting phytochemicals in apples; investigation of the structure and function relationship of selected apple secondary metabolites; and biochemistry aspects of apple by-products utilization.

The investigative travel was partly funded by the International Trade Canada – Going Global Science and Technology Program; the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries – Industry Development Fund (NSDAF-IDF); and the NSAC.
November 13, 2005