BIO‑CENTRUM

About the company

Science that didn't stay in the lab

Bio-Centrum, s.r.o. was founded in 2023 as a direct outcome of long-term strategic research in agriculture and food science, carried out at the institutes of the National Agricultural and Food Centre (NPPC).

Our mission is to speed up the transfer of this research into production practice. We build on proven scientific knowledge, and our products are used on farms and in food-processing businesses — while also being designed with the end consumer in mind.

Research

Between knowledge and practice

Our research focuses on the space between a new scientific finding and its application in practice.

What we look for

  • the optimal production process
  • optimal parameters for each individual operation
  • minimal losses of biologically active substances
  • minimal energy costs
  • minimal waste and emissions, all the way to zero-waste technologies
  • maximum use of raw materials

What we draw on

  • the latest findings of Slovak and international science and research
  • modern membrane, vacuum, extraction and biotechnological processes
  • our own patented processes and equipment prototypes
  • collaboration with Slovak research institutions, innovative companies, and food and equipment manufacturers
  • the experience and quality of our team

Projects

Current and upcoming projects

A joint project with BERTO under the call supporting the development of innovative digital solutions 2 (code 09I05-03-V04)

An intelligent control system for meat production

The project provides research support for digitalising processes and applying artificial intelligence in the production of meat products — specifically, automating the preparation of meat, spice and additive mixtures (batters) so that products reach a consistent standard of quality even when the quality of the ingredients varies.

For the upcoming calls targeting the priorities of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (“STEP”, Regulation C/2024/3209), we are preparing the following projects together with food and processing companies, NPPC and AgroBioTech of SPU in Nitra:

01 · Digital technologies
  • Intelligent control and robotic systems for food production
  • Using AI to standardise food quality
02 · Clean and resource-efficient technologies
  • An intelligent, eco-friendly system for storing energy as cold and heat
  • An intelligent system for recirculating CO₂ from biogas and biomethane plants using algae
  • Intelligent distributed energy systems that smooth out grid fluctuations without burdening the environment
  • A biological, low-energy technology for processing animal carcasses and food waste
  • Low-investment technologies for treating wastewater from food production
03 · Biotechnologies
  • New microorganisms and technologies for remediating contaminated soil
  • Biotechnological processes for producing foods with a higher content of essential nutrients
  • Biotechnological processes for utilising whey
04 · Defence technologies
  • Minimising the effects of radiation exposure through targeted nutrition
  • A system for decontaminating surfaces after a biological weapons attack

Our team

The people behind the research

Scientists and technologists with many years of experience in food research, development and production.

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doc. Ing. Stanislav Šilhár, CSc.

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Ing. Stanislav Baxa, PhD.

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Ing. Ivan Bašnák, CSc.

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Ing. Elena Panghyová

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Ing. Dušan Noskovič

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Ing. Eugen Kiss

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References

Research projects over the last 5 years

Research projects that members of our team prepared and led as principal investigators.

  1. PSK-MH-010-2024-DV-EFRR
    A circular management system for the production of foods with extended shelf life
  2. PSK-MH-009-2024-DV-FST
    Establishing a joint facility and research into the production of functional foods based on regional fruit and vegetable production
  3. 09I04-03-V03 UV dekarbo 2
    Marking Pheromones for safe & affordable pest control and resilient sustainable agriculture
  4. —
    Minimising the impact of COVID-19 through targeted nutrition, and food safety under pandemic conditions
  5. SAMRS/2021/ZB/1 · MZV SR
    Supporting the achievement of EU hygiene standards and the involvement of women beekeepers in processing bee products in Vojvodina
  6. OPVaI-VA/DP/2018/1.2.1-06 VA
    Sustainable smart farming systems that address the challenges of the future (SMARTFARM)
  7. H2020 – MSCA – RISE – 2017
    Nanostructured carriers for improved cattle feed (NanoFEED)

Training

Training activities and learning materials

Courses that members of our team designed, wrote the learning materials and handbooks for, and delivered both professionally and organisationally.

  • Good hygiene practice for processing and selling fruit, vegetables and plant products “direct from the farm”
  • Good hygiene practice for processing and selling fresh milk and dairy products “direct from the farm”
  • Good hygiene practice for processing and selling meat from farm animals “direct from the farm”
  • Good hygiene practice for processing and selling other animal products “direct from the farm”
  • Alternative land use for the production of food, bioenergy and phytoproducts
  • Innovation and production control in grape and fruit processing
  • Innovation and a hygiene handbook for on-farm food production
  • Innovation and modern processes for the production of food and phytoproducts
  • EU quality policy — supporting the protection of traditional and quality foods
  • Risk analysis and preparing good hygiene practice documentation for farm-gate sales
  • Diversification and innovation in the primary processing of agricultural products

Each course comes with learning materials in print and on CD.

Intellectual property

Patents and utility models

Patents and utility models authored by members of our team and filed over the last 5 years.

  1. PP 86-2023
    Mobile device for preventing heat damage to grain seeds during harvesting and primary handlingNoskovič, Baxa, Kunštek, Šilhár
  2. PP 89-2023Patent SK č. 289457
    Device and method for preparing pre-cooked potato and vegetable semi-finished productsNoskovič, Baxa, Kunštek, Šilhár
  3. PP 95-2023Patent SK č. 289481
    Device and energy-efficient method for the heat treatment of food, the sanitisation of waste and the sterilisation of infectious materialsNoskovič, Šilhár, Baxa, Blažková, Tóth
  4. PP 74-2023
    Method for eradicating viral infections in livestock farmingBaxa, Šilhár, Blažková, Kunštek, Panghyová
  5. ÚV 89-2023
    Fermented functional salad made from Japanese knotweed shoot tips containing stilbenesPanghyová E., Panghyová L., Kiss, Turisová
  6. ÚV 57-2023
    Encapsulated form of active feed ingredients obtained by spray dryingBaxa, Blažková, Kunštek, Rajský, Polovka
  7. ÚV 52-2023
    Sugar-coated confectionery with bee pollenBaxa, Blažková, Kunštek, Kubincová, Tobolková, Valach
  8. ÚV 143-2022
    Seasoning blend with enhanced protection of sensitive aromatic components
  9. ÚV 97-2022Úžitkový vzor č. 9714
    Oat and fruit drinkBaxa, Blažková, Kunštek, Panghyová, Kiss

Interested in collaborating on research?

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