Identification & Background:
Project title: Safe2Taste – Integrated approaches for the socio-economic dynamism of the sustainable production and consumption of Montesinho mushrooms
Project code: MTS/BRB/0056/2020
Main objective: Reinforce research, technological development and innovation
Region of intervention: North
Beneficiary entities: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, IPB (Project Leader)
Associação BLC3 – Campus de Tecnologia e Inovação
MORE – Laboratório Colaborativo Montanhas de Investigação
Universidade de Aveiro
Approval date: 17-12-2020
Start date: 01-07-2021
Conclusion date: 30-06-2024
Total eligible investment: 245.890,59€
Financial support of the FCT: 245.890,59€
Objectives
Production of edible mushrooms in an ex-situ controlled environment, which is extremely challenging and has only been achieved for a very small number of species, together with mycotourism and mycological education actions. Additionally, recycling forest/land clearing material to produce mushroom growth substrates will be applied as a sustainable approach to mimicking the original biomass while simultaneously preventing devastating fires that can decimate biodiversity. To preserve this unique heritage, it is also proposed to create a mushroom germplasm bank in the Montesinho Natural Park. An extensive nutritional/chemical/biological characterization will be carried out to guarantee the quality of the species produced and the preservation of their original characteristics. The development of a quality and safety seal, “Safe2Taste”, which guarantees the traceability of the entire production chain, will promote consumer trust/loyalty in these products. For this, a chain of restaurants will include the mushrooms produced in their menu and will display the seal as a guarantee of their origin/quality/safety. As an additional dissemination channel, it will be linked to a digital platform that is easy for consumers to access.
- Ex-situ mushroom production
- Mycological education actions
- Recycling of forest cleaning material
- Creation of a germplasm bank
- Creation of a “Safe2Taste” quality seal
Atividades
- A1 – Prospection of montesinho natural park wild mushrooms diversity
- A2 – Novel approaches for the sustainable production of montesinho mushrooms
- A3 – Chemical and bioactive characterization of the produced mushrooms
- A4 – Scientific knowledge gathering and promotion among regional stakeholders and consumers
- A5 – Project management and results dissemination
Expected results
Safe2taste seal, ex-situ mushroom production, germplasm bank.
