BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
EARTHOIL PLANTATIONS
About INDEX
INDEX (Innovation Delivers Expansion) is a unique demand-led innovation voucher scheme led that invites Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to apply for a voucher to purchase academic support from one of the 13 Higher Education Institutions in the West Midlands. The project is funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Innovation Vouchers allow SMEs to purchase academic expertise knowledge to develop their innovation and enhance their business.
The Innovation Voucher scheme aims to build links between Universities and SMEs to create a demand led approach to innovation.ABOUT THE BUSINESS: Earthoil Plantations
Earthoil Plantations Limited
Unit 3, Shire Industrial Estate
Essington Close
Lichfield
WS14 9AZ
Telephone: 01543 264268
Email: tony.silvester@earthoil.com
Website: www.earthoil.com
Main Contact: Tony Silvester
Earthoil is dedicated to its four key areas: quality organic oils, ethical fair trade principles, sustainable grower projects and international client and supplier relationships. 
Specialists in the growing, manufacturing and supply of organically certified essential and pressed seed oils, Earthoil, through an integrated supply chain, delivers high quality ingredients and supply continuity by establishing and maintaining operational standards in growing, processing, handling, storage and distribution.
INNOVATION
Innovation (2) Advanced Materials
THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
To consider the potential use of a range of antioxidants to stabilize commercial oils
WORK UNDERTAKEN
Topic: Oxidative stability testing of vegetable oils. A variety of commercial vegetable oils were freshly extracted in the laboratory from seeds sent by Earthoil and their oxidative stability was tested in the presence of a number of potential antioxidant components namely:
Lycopene
Vitamin E
Pomegranate oil
Time case studies were conducted in order to assess oil stability by determining the peroxide levels, unesterified fatty acid levels and malondialdehyde levels by a combination of titration techniques and spectroscopy. Gas chromatography was used to determine the fatty acid composition of the oils. In addition literature research was undertaken on miscellaneous topics relating to oil quality and stability as discussed with A Campbell (Earthoil) in December 2007
QUOTE
“Winning the £3000 voucher under the voucher index scheme has meant that we can focus our combined efforts on a particular opportunity (relating to the use of Pomegranate seed oil) that if successful will definitely have a significant commercial spin-off to the mutual benefit of both parties.
Without the “lottery” win we would have been denied the opportunity to investigate further potential unknown benefits from the oil. There are many calls on cash, both in commercial and academic life, but the voucher has prompted us to think “outside the box.
The voucher project scheme is extremely welcome to SMEs like Earthoil as it enables us to tap into the enormous research capability at Aston University.”, Best Regards, Tony Silvester, General Manager, Earthoil Plantations Ltd
ABOUT THE HEI: Aston University
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Aston University
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET
UK
ABOUT THE ACADEMIC
Gareth Griffiths, Engineering and Applied Science
Dr Griffiths is a biochemist specialising in the analysis of lipids using a combination of molecular biology and chromatographic techniques (gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry). His current interests are focused on lipid oxidation reactions and the synthesis of 'oxylipins' involved in plant defence against pathogens. This work underpins EU commission objectives aimed at producing a new generation of 'green' agrochemicals. Dr Griffiths's research also interfaces with the Bioenergy Research Group in the chemical profiling of feed-stocks used for renewal sources of energy and with the Biomaterials Research Group in assessing the biomedical applications of lipids.