PRR Project

Summary

This position is proposed under the framework of the CITAB’s Strategic Programme 2025-2029 , within the R&D Group on “ Resiliency & valorization of agrarian value chains ”, but particularly focused at the end of the production chain, aiming at providing healthier food and safer food products . Ago-food sustainability is a major issue under the need to provide food for a world with an ever-increasing population. The growth in the use of biostimulants and pesticides results in foods with lower nutritional value and with a high load of xenobiotics, putting human health at risk. Still, as a result of increasing consumer demand for agri-food products, there is a need to recycle and valorize co/by-products and food with no commercial value, as a measure to reduce/manage food waste and channel them to other industries, thereby fostering a circular economy. The objectives of this position are: i) to understand the phytochemical/nutritional composition of foods, especially local/endemic and value them for their composition; ii) promote circularity, through by-product valorization, minimizing waste; iii) study the impact of e.g. new pesticides, stimulants, fertilizers on human health through toxicity studies; iv) create innovative and safe foods or improve nutritional/nutraceutical properties. CITAB has wide expertise in these lines of research, comprising expertise from phytochemical extraction and analysis, assessment of health-promoting effects of foods (using in vitro and in vivo methods) and toxicological assessment of xenobiotics. The Assistant Researcher (AR) will focus on phytochemical composition/food waste management/safety of food products/innovation nexus, with emphasis on experimental tools and within the following tasks : 1. Nutritional/phytochemical assessment of food products, co-products and by-products in selected agricultural systems and their safety for human health. Experiments will be undertaken mainly on local/endemic plants/fruits, as well as co/by-products from the agro-food industry, identified in close collaboration with stakeholders. Food composition analysis, extraction and analysis of phytochemicals using methodologies such as HPLC or GC will be carried out. To evaluate health effects, studies using biological models and state-of-the-art methodologies will be required. 2. Evaluation of safety/toxicity profiles of new pesticides, biostimulants and other products used in agri-food production. Aiming to emphasize food safety, toxicity/safety levels of agents used in agriculture, will be analysed to minimize risks to the final consumer and ecosystems. Here, several models of varying complexity will be used to assess the targets and toxicity mechanisms. The presence of xenobiotics in selected products will be assessed, using extraction and quantification methods, as in Task 1. This Task will be articulated with the CITAB non-academic chair. 3. Valorization of food products and innovation and creation of new products promoting a circular economy. According to results obtained in previous tasks, transfer of knowledge to the stakeholders aiming agricultural practices to produce added-value products. Concerning results obtained on phytochemical analysis, safety, toxicity, and health benefits, it is expected the creation of new products, or new applications in other industries. 4. Capacity building and knowledge transfer. All the produced information will be regularly transferred to stakeholders following a quintuple helix approach. Capacity-building actions will be organised, along with the delivery of white papers and technical-scientific reports. Internationalization and proactive identification of funding opportunities will also be a main pillar to warrant the long-term sustainability of this line of research.The Researcher’s scientific profile should cumulatively comprise the following skills, duly demonstrated by scientific production and previous experience in R&D projects: Phytochemical extraction, analysis and quantification; Bioactivity/toxicity assessment, using different in vitro and in vivo models, as well as different methodologies; Statistical analysis in Natural/Biological Sciences; Preparation of project proposals; Engagement in capacity building actions with stakeholders; English proficiency.The compiled information from the above-referred tasks will be of utmost relevance for the valorization of products, co-products and byproducts of different agrarian value chains studied within this R&D Group. Furthermore, a relation between nutritional/phytochemical composition and farms´ pedoclimatic conditions will improve agricultural practices, bringing added value to products. On this basis, stakeholders can make informed decisions that enable a more balanced coexistence between agriculture and the environment, contributing to the overall sustainability of the agricultural sector and its competitiveness, while preserving natural resources and biodiversity.