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www.porknews.com.au Australian Pork Newspaper, November 2024 %u2013 Page 19AMID escalating chal- lenges on how to re- duce global plastic pollution, a bio-pack- aging technology de- rived from agricultural waste is poised to revo- lutionise the industry by providing a sustain- able, compostable and recyclable alternative to conventional plastic.This world-leading technology has been developed at the University of Queensland by Bio-Inspired Materials Group leader Dr Nasim Amiralian and her team. Annually, the world generates 300 million tonnes of plastic, with 85 percent of packaging stemming from fossil fuels, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives.%u201cWe are tackling the dual crises of plastic packaging waste and agricultural food waste, which collectively amount to 1.4 billion tonnes annually,%u201d Dr Amiralian said. %u201cWe have created materials from sugarcane trash that can replace plastic packaging and extend the shelf life of produce thanks to its antimicrobial properties. %u201cThese packaging solutions are optimised for mechanical strength, heat and moisture resistance, ensuring prolonged shelf life for packaged foods. %u201cOur 100 percent biobased biodegradable packaging technology represents a significant leap forward in productivity and environmental sustainability.%u201d Their innovative approach focuses on developing bio-packaging from agricultural waste that is both compostable and recyclable and can be used to replace conventional items such as berry punnets commonly found in supermarkets. This technology could be the key to reducing Australia%u2019s re-ranking as the second highest generator of single-use plastic waste per capita globally. %u201cKey benefits of this technology include substantial reductions in waste and emissions, elimination of harmful chemicals through recyclable green solvents, enhanced biodegradability and prevention of microplastic generation,%u201d Dr Amiralian said. %u201cThese attributes position the packaging materials as ideal solutions for both earthy and marine environments, aligning with global environmental goals.%u201d The global fibre packaging market, expected to surpass $537 billion by 2033, underscores the growing demand for sustainable alternatives.This new fibre-based packaging technology not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also utilises agricultural waste, thereby reducing landfill and greenhouse gas emissions. Dr Amiralian showcased her work as one of seven innovators at the recent AgriFutures Australia and growAG Catalyst Pitch event in Sydney, where she detailed this opportunity for investors passionate about sustainability, netzero and zero-waste initiatives.%u201cMoving forward, we%u2019re seeking support from industry partners, corporates, governments or investors to advance our technology for scaling up in standard production facilities,%u201d Dr Amiralian said. The Catalyst Program supports women in agrifood technology and innovation across Australia and New Zealand, identifying exceptional research and technology innovations ready for commercialisation and further development. In addition to her groundbreaking work in bio-packaging, Dr Amiralian is dedicated to advancing opportunities for women and youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Her recent involvement in the University of Queensland%u2019s Career Progression for Women program and her role in inspiring youth through the Queensland Chief Scientist case studies highlight her commitment to gender equality and educational advancement in STEM fields.For more information about the research or investment, scan the QR code. %u25a0 Here%u2019s my Card %u25a0 Here%u2019s my Card %u25a0 Here%u2019s my CardAnke WoeckelVeterinarianTechnical Marketing - SwineIntervet Australia Pty LtdLevel 1 - Building A, 26 Talavera Road Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113North Ryde Post Business Centre, Locked Bag 2234North Ryde, NSW, 1670AustraliaT 1800 033 461M 0437 010 683F 1800 817 414anke.woeckel@msd.comThe Science of Healthier AnimalsAndres ArdilaVeterinarianTechnical Advisor - SwineIntervet Australia Pty LtdLevel 1 - Building A, 26 Talavera Road Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113North Ryde Post Business Centre, Locked Bag 2234North Ryde, NSW, 1670AustraliaT 1800 033 461M 0458 794 535F 1800 817 414andres.ardila@msd.comThe Science of Healthier AnimalsActively buying pigs inSA, VIC, NSW & QLDwww.becampbell.com.auNathan OdellChief Supply Chain OfficerM 0412 821 358E nodell@becampbell.com.auRay QuinnProcurement Manager Meat & Livestock M 0410 699 971E rquinn@becampbell.com.auBjorn LudvigsenLivestock & Farm Assurance Manager M 0479 181 943E bludvigsen@becampbell.com.auPRECISION INTESTINAL NUTRITION SYNCHRONIZED FOR PIGSSome companies talk about it - at Jefo, we do it For more information, contact:Wayne Bradsha 0429 301 500 wbradshaw@jefo.comor the office:ausinfo@jefo.comjefo.comwww.porknews.com.auBen Collins BBus DipMgt GradDipEdAdvertising & Marketing ManagerP: 07 3286 1833 M: 0439 708 602E: ben@collins.media PO Box 162, Wynnum QLD 4178%u25a0 Here%u2019s my Card %u25a0 Here%u2019s my Card %u25a0 Here%u2019s my CardTHE weaning process in pig production is considered one of the most stressful events in a pig%u2019s lifetime and is characterised by in- testinal and immune dysfunctions as a re- sult of abrupt changes in their environment and feed format.These changes can compromise the pig%u2019s feed intake, growth and health, often due to an increase in pathogenic enterotoxigenic e coli, one of the major causes of post-weaning diarrhoea in pigs. Until recently, the widespread use of pharmacological levels of zinc oxide has been common practice, since the ban on antibiotic growth promotors in 2006, as a way of improving feed intake and growth performance of pigs immediately after weaning, as well as reducing the incidence of PWD.However, after the ban of pharmacological zinc oxide in Europeaon Union pig diets, alternative ways to improve health and growth performance of pigs after weaning are being sought. Seaweed blends have been an area of interest given their potential prebiotic effects. This work compared two levels of a seaweed blend, added to a control diet and a diet with pharmacological levels of ZnO, on feed intake, growth, feed efficiency and the inflammatory response. A total of 240 pigs were weaned in pens of five pigs per pen and allocated to one of four dietary treatments. Across treatment groups, pens of pigs were balanced for the sex ratio within a pen, a pig%u2019s litter of origin and weight at weaning. Pens of pigs were fed one of four diets across three phases: days 0-7, 7-20 and 20-42 after weaning:%u2022 Positive control (PC) %u2013 standard diet with 3.1g/kg ZnO%u2022 Negative control (NC) %u2013 standard diet without ZnO%u2022 NC+5g/kg seaweed blend (SWB)%u2022 NC+10g/kg SWB. Feed refusals per pen and individual pig weights were recorded on days 7, 20 and 42 to determine average daily gain, average daily feed intake and gain:feed per phase. On day 20, six pigs per treatment were euthanised and dissected. Peripheral plasma samples were collected for ELISA analysis of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1%u03b2 and IL-10 and the ileal mucosa was scraped for qPCR analysis of relative mRNA quantification of IL-6, IL-1%u03b2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. During the first seven days after weaning, PC-fed pigs tended to have higher ADG than other treatments (P<0.10) and higher G:F compared to NC (0.888 vs. 0.764, P<0.001, NC+5g/kg SWB (0.888 vs. 0.753, P=0.019) and NC+10g/kg SWB (0.888 vs. 0.762, P=0.034). Between 8 and 20 days, PC-fed pigs tended to have higher ADFI than the NC and the NC+10g/kg SWB (P<0.10). Average daily gain between 8 and 20 days was not different for PC and NC+5g/kg SWB pigs (0.368 and 0.308kg/day) and G:F was higher for PC compared to both NC (0.830 vs. 0.721, P=0.021) and NC+10g/kg SWB pigs (0.830 vs. 0.702, P=0.005). Between 21 and 42 days, there were no differences in ADG or ADFI. Gain:feed for PC (0.755) and NC+5g/kg SWB (0.768) fed pigs were not different but were lower than NC (0.804, P=0.002 and P=0.038, respectively). There were no differences in mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-1%u03b2 or TNF-%u03b1 in the ileum. In plasma, PC and NC+5g/kg SWB tended to have lower IL-6 concentrations compared to NC and NC+10g/kg SWB (1.7 and 1.1 vs. 4.7 and 5.0pg/ml; P<0.10). Given the intermediate performance of pigs fed 5g/kg inclusion of SWB, it could be beneficial to investigate this inclusion level further, or lower inclusion levels, given 10g/kg did not show any beneficial effect.The study can be viewed in its entirety by scanning the QR code. Seaweed in weaner pig dietsBio-packaging from agricultural waste to tackle plastic pollutionDr Nasim Amiralian, group leader of the Bio-Inspired Materials Group at the University of Queensland.