For more than 20 years, Agrotec has been conducting research, developing, and pre-industrializing products derived from the transformation of fruits and vegetables. It is within this renowned agri-food technology center, based in Agen, that phyltres’ beauty shots were created. The result of two years of R&D and testing to verify their functional effectiveness and preserve their sensory qualities.
Created in 1989 alongside Europe’s first agropole, Agrotec is one of the flagship institutions of the Agen region. Approved by the Ministry of higher Education, Research, and innovation, this technological resource center is almost as famous in France as Agen’s iconic prune. That says it all! For more than 20 years, Agrotec has been supporting SME and mid-cap leaders in the agricultural and agri-food sector in the development of their projects, from innovation to consumer testing. An integrated chain of expertise dedicated to food with ever-increasing plant-based proteins and beneficial for health.
Preparing the food of the future
With the strong return of plant-based and natural products, the “Made in France” movement, and consumers’ preference for short supply chains, Agrotec’s engineers will continue for a long time to imagine and develop the products that will soon fill our glasses and plates. “In 2020, we signed 123 technical support contracts,” explains Sylène Brianceau, head of Research. Selection and sourcing of raw materials, product development, definition of manufacturing processes, access to the technological platform for producing pre-series, quality, CSR/sustainable development, training and practical workshops… The range of services is broad and customizable. In this region of orchards, vegetable farms, and vineyards, Agrotec shines particularly in the field of fruits and vegetables, where its expertise in prepared dishes and next-generation beverages is nationally recognized. One of the latest examples, the alcohol-free aperitif Osco, won the 2021 gold award at the Epicures competition. This blend of verjuice and plants has become a hit in fine grocery stores. “In 2020, we also carried out nearly 800 tests (for 120 services) in sensory analysis.” Agrotec manages a panel of more than 3,000 “naive” consumers (children, teenagers, adults) for consumer testing and supervises 40 trained tasters for sensory profiling. Renowned for its reliability and independence, the laboratory is a powerful decision-making tool for project leaders, industrials, and farmers, allowing them to evaluate the organoleptic qualities of their products before they hit the market.
Aiming for effectiveness and sensory pleasure
It is in the heart of Agrotec, a guarantee of scientific and agri-food excellence, that phyltres’ beauty shots were developed after more than two years of R&D. First through a regulatory and bibliographic study on Damask rose and the ingredients to be combined for an effective, evidence-based nutricosmetic. This study was funded by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Then through the pre-industrialization of the recipes created by Michelin-starred or rising chefs in Agen, Bordeaux, and Paris. A monumental task to preserve their organoleptic qualities. “Our goal was to transpose the chefs’ aromatic compositions from their kitchens to an industrial scale without sacrificing the sensory pleasure of tasting,” explains Clara Pouget, Product & Process Development Project Manager. Between characterizing selected ingredients, securing supplies from national (and sometimes local) producers, optimizing industrial processes, pre-industrialization tests, choosing the best preservation technique, sensory testing, and producing pre-series… a lot of water has flowed under Agen’s canal bridge.
“After countless technical tests on our machines and many tasting sessions with the phyltres team, sometimes filled with doubt, we achieved astonishing results,” adds Maëlle Dumas, Clara’s counterpart. A success confirmed by consumer testing in Agrotec’s sensory analysis laboratory.
Measuring the impact of terroir on the rose
Continuing its work and expanding its expertise, Agrotec has initiated a research program supported with nearly €550,000 by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council.
“In partnership with the IPREM and I2M laboratories and the University of Bordeaux, we are launching an innovative, structured approach to characterize and transform Damask rose and hops, two plant matrices of economic interest for Nouvelle-Aquitaine,” says François Chabrier, Deputy Director of Agrotec. “The project will focus on the analytical characterization of the chemical and organoleptic typicities of these matrices to study the impact of terroir on product quality, and will also address post-harvest operations such as storage, logistics, and the drying of plants rich in essential oils, with the aim of preserving their aromatic qualities,” adds Sylène Brianceau.
In the coming years, Agrotec can truly see life through rose-colored glasses with many projects on the horizon and an active role in supporting the agri-food companies of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.