Project description
Biocontrol to reduce aflatoxin contamination in pistachio crops
Aflatoxins are carcinogenic chemicals that contaminate crops, causing threats to food security and public health. Global warming is contributing to increased contamination risks within the Mediterranean region’s agricultural system. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AflaBiocontrol project aims to implement biocontrol strategies to minimise aflatoxin contamination in European crops, such as almonds, pistachios and figs. It will perform screening activities on 346 strains of Aspergillus to identify the best atoxigenic strains for biocontrol purposes. The project will investigate climate adaptation strategies for selected strains, examine interactions between atoxigenic and toxigenic strains, and assess the biocontrol effects on the pistachio leaf beetle. Expected results include reducing aflatoxin contamination by 85 % and preventing up to 125 cancer cases per year.
Objective
AflaBiocontrol aims to mitigate aflatoxin contamination in European almond, pistachio, and fig-producing areas through innovative biocontrol solutions. Ubiquitous fungi, primarily Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, produce aflatoxins that pose significant health risks when humans or animals consume contaminated food or feed. These mycotoxins have far-reaching implications affecting UN Sustainable Development Goals related to food security, poverty reduction, and public health, with climate change exacerbating contamination risks across Mediterranean production systems. Based on my expertise in phytopathology, fungal epidemiology, and contamination risk management, AflaBiocontrol employs a systematic approach to select the most competitive atoxigenic A. flavus strains as biocontrol agents. The project screens 346 Mediterranean Aspergillus strains to identify 1-2 elite dual-purpose agents that safeguard multiple crops across diverse environments, including IPCC 2050 climate change scenarios. The innovative methodology integrates three complementary objectives: first, selecting climate-adapted atoxigenic strains with enhanced sclerotia production and endophytic/biostimulant capabilities; second, investigating quorum-sensing mechanisms between atoxigenic and toxigenic strains through metabolomics-metagenomics approaches; third, evaluating entomopathogenic potential against the pistachio leaf beetle pest, creating unprecedented dual-functionality biocontrol solutions. Cranfield University provides ideal facilities under Prof. Medina's supervision (Environmental Sustainability Theme). A 4-month University of Córdoba secondment adds entomopathogenic validation through specialized facilities. Expected impacts: 85% reduction in aflatoxin, 25-125 cancer cases prevented annually, supporting EU pesticide reduction. AflaBiocontrol evaluates novel biocontrol agents in fig/nut orchards while positioning the fellow as leader in climate-resilient agricultural biotechnology.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- social sciences sociology governance crisis management
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
MK43 0AL Cranfield - Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
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