Cooperation with Miramar Sp. z o.o. and the subject of the research
The originator of the project implemented within the Science Hub, Dr Sylwia Smarzewska established cooperation with representatives of Miramar at the beginning of 2023. Miramar, the owner of the Olini brand, is a respected, family-owned company, recognised as an e-commerce leader in the natural oil market in Poland. Dr Smarzewska, on the other hand, along with her research team, is involved in bioelectroanalysis, with a particular focus on analysing food samples, which coincides perfectly with the profile of the products sold by Olini.
Recently, a group of researchers from the University of Lodz has had great success developing a novel method for the determination of sesamol in sesame oil samples, with a publication in a respected scientific journal. The development of a methodology for the determination of sesamol became a kind of seed for the idea of collaboration. With the knowledge of both, the research methodology and the health-promoting properties of the sesamol, scientists from the University of Lodz and Olini specialists decided to jointly develop a new product based on roasted sesame seeds.
With great scientific commitment, Olini prepared successive oil samples pressed according to a strict research plan. All of the oil samples were chemically analysed by scientists from the University of Lodz and organoleptically tested by groups of testers.
The entire research plan was successfully completed, making it possible to clearly identify both, the best sesame seeds type and the conditions of the roasting and subsequent pressing process.
Research results and further cooperation
The obtained results, allowed us to launch a product on the market, excellent in terms of both, taste and health-promoting properties
– says Łukasz Bogdański, President of Miramar and originator of the Olini brand.
The developed oil is signed with the logo of the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Lodz.
Olini sesame oil is an ideal compromise – it combines both excellent taste and aroma qualities and is characterised by its high sesamol content
– Dr Sylwia Smarzewska says about the new recipe on the manufacturer's website.
Both, the University of Lodz researchers and Olini have expressed a desire for further cooperation.
About the project
The project has been implemented as part of Science Hub of the University of Lodz – a university-wide collaboration platform that aims to support the University of Lodz academic community in the implementation of science projects in cooperation with the environment.
Project title: Determining the conditions of the technological process of sesame oil extrusion, guaranteeing the optimal correlation between the content of health-promoting sesamol and the organoleptic properties of the oil
Supervisors: Dr Sylwia Smarzewska, Dr Kamila Koszelska, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry
Students: Michał Świderski, Monika Wypych, Analytical Chemistry
Partner: Olini, Miramar Sp. z o.o.
Material: Project team
Edit: Science Hub, University of Lodz