Protected Geographical Indication Research Articles

Utility of dairy microbiome as a tool for authentication and traceability.

Milk microbiome contributes substantially to the formation of specific organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics of dairy products. The assessment of the composition and abundance of milk microbiota is a challenging task strongly influenced by many environmental factors. Specific dairy products may be designated by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) labeling, which however, occasionally fail to differentiate them according to specific quality characteristics, which are defined by different microbiota-driven reactions. Combining the above limitations, the scope of the present study, was to summarize the existing information toward three main issues. First, to assess the influence level of the diet type and grazing to rumen-GI tract, mammary gland, and udder microbiome formation in ruminants. Second, to discuss the factors affecting milk microbiota, as well as the effect of the endo-mammary route on milk microbial taxa. Lastly, to evaluate "milk microbiome" as a tool for product differentiation, according to origin, which will contribute to a more robust PDO and PGI labeling. Although the limitations are still a matter of fact (especially considering the sample collection, process, evaluation, and avoidance of its contamination), significant progress has been made, regarding the identification of the factors affecting dairy products' microbiota and its core composition. In conclusion, although so far not totally efficient in dairy products molecular identification, with the progress in soil, water, plant, and animal host's microbiota assembly's characterization, microbiomics could provide a powerful tool for authentication and traceability of dairy products.

Metabolic Profiling and Stable Isotope Analysis of Wines: Pilot Study for Cross-Border Authentication.

Globalization and free market dynamics have significantly impacted state economies, particularly in the wine industry. These forces have introduced greater diversity in wine products but have also heightened the risk of food fraud, especially in high-value commodities like wine. Due to its market value and the premium placed on quality, wine is frequently subject to adulteration. This issue is often addressed through regulatory trademarks on wine labels, such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographic Indication (PGI). In this context, the metabolic profiles (organic acids, carbohydrates, and phenols) and stable isotope signatures (δ13C, δ18O, D/HI, and D/HII) of red and white wines from four agroclimatically similar regions were examined. The study explored how factors such as grape variety, harvest year, and geographical origin affect wine composition, with a particular focus on distinguishing samples from cross-border areas. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to assess the variability in wine composition and to identify distinct groups of samples. Preliminary results revealed that organic acids and volatile compounds were found in lower concentrations than carbohydrates but were significantly higher than phenols, with levels ranging between 1617 mg/L and 6258 mg/L. Carbohydrate content in the wines varied from 8285 mg/L to 14662 mg/L. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated certain separation trends based on the variance in carbohydrates (e.g., fructose, glucose, galactose) and isotopic composition. However, Discriminant Analysis (DA) provided clear distinctions based on harvest year, variety, and geographical origin.

Sustainability Assessment of the Performance of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO Firms: A Comparative Analysis of Firms’ Legal Form and Altitude Range

Geographical indications (GIs), protected by the European Union with the collective marks of PDO (protected designation of origin), PGI (protected geographical indication), and TSG (traditional specialty guaranteed), play an important role in the social and economic system. They not only guarantee food needs, but promote correct consumer information, protect local food, and play a role in the environmental and social sustainability of rural areas. In Italy, Parmigiano Reggiano (PR-RE) PDO cheese is ranked second in foods with the GI protection mark by turnover. This research aims to assess the financial sustainability of the firms registered in the PR-RE PDO consortium using financial statement (FINSTAT) analysis. Financial ratios (FR) and the EM-Score were applied to assess firms’ performance, financial risk, and credit score. The analysis distinguished firms by legal form, cooperative and non-cooperative, and altitude range—plain hill and mountain. The main findings of the research were as follows: (1) a better performance of lowland non-cooperative firms and lower financial risk, (2) a longer duration of the inventory cycle of cooperative firms, and (3) a greater financial risk in mountain cooperatives. The results provide indications for improving firms’ performance and for designing financial instruments for the sector. To our knowledge, this is the first research to carry out an analysis of all the available FINSTATs of firms in the PR-RE PDO sector.

Future aridity and drought risk for traditional and super-intensive olive orchards in Portugal

Portugal, a leading olive oil producer, boasts six Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) regions, with distinct olive orchard (OR) densities (traditional rainfed to super-intensive irrigated). This study aimed to assess future drought and aridity conditions and the impacts on ORs located in the PDOs. Therefore, drought and aridity indicators were considered for the historical (ERA5: 1981–2000) and future periods (2041–2060; 2081–2100), and anthropogenic forcing scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), using a 7-member ensemble of global climate models. From Spearman’s correlation analysis, Annual Mean Aridity (AIA) was selected as the most representative indicator of the climate conditions, to which the ORs were exposed. Readily Available Soil Water (RAW; mm) was considered to represent the available soil water reservoir for olive trees. Moreover, the Olive Drought and Aridity Risk Index (ODAR) was developed to determine each OR's future risks. This index considered that the AIA and RAW were weighted by OR density fractions. In the future, southern Portugal will be more arid (0.69) than northern and central (0.60). ORs soil shows lower RAW in southern PDOs (< 60 mm) than in central and northern regions (> 90 mm). These results suggest that the south of ORs will be more exposed to water stress than the northern regions. According to ODAR, the ORs exposed to low and high risk will be mainly located in the central parts of the PDOs. In northern ORs, moderate to high risk will predominate. In the south, however, the risk will be very high, which means that the olive tree growth, fruit development, and olive oil quality could be negatively affected. Implementation of tailored adaptation measures will be required to improve the climate resiliency of the sector.

High gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producing Enterococcus malodoratus isolated from protected denomination of origin (PDO) cheese

Four strains of Enterococcus malodoratus were isolated from São Jorge cheese – and showed a high conversion of L-glutamate to GABA, achieving a yield above 50%. These new strains neither fermented lactose nor produced hydrogen sulphide. They produced slow acidification and low amounts of diacetyl, and lacked most enzymatic activities and genes encoding virulence traits. They were sensitive to ampicillin, vancomycin, fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol and streptogramins, but resistant to penicillin, oxacillin, erytromycin and tetracycline. One strain (SJC62) showed antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and antifungal activity against Aspergillus caesiellus and Mucor racemosus. The strains also showed probiotic potential in vitro, as they exhibited good resistance to gastrointestinal conditions, high hydrophobicity and mucin adhesion. The spectrum of favourable technological, antimicrobial and probiotic properties, in combination with their high ability to convert glutamic acid into GABA make these strains relevant for use in novel dairy foods.

Feasibility study on discrimination of Polygonatum kingianum origins by NIR and MIR spectra data.

Most existing studies have focused on identifying the origin of species with protected geographical indications while neglecting to determine the proximate geographical origin of different species. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy to identify the origin of 156 Polygonatum kingianum samples from six regions in Yunnan, China. In this work, spectral images of different modes reveal more information about the P. kingianum. Comparing the performance of traditional machine learning models according to single spectrum and data fusion, the middle-level data fusion-principal component model has the best performance, and its sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy are all 1, and the model has the least number of variables. The residual convolutional neural network (ResNet) model constructed in the 1050-850cm-1 band confirms that fewer variables are beneficial in improving the accuracy of the model. In conclusion, this study verifies the feasibility of the proposed strategy and establishes a practical model to determine the source of P. kingianum.

Multi-Elemental Analysis and Geographical Discrimination of Greek "Gigantes Elefantes" Beans Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Machine Learning Models.

Greek giant beans, also known as "Gigantes Elefantes" (elephant beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L.,) are a traditional and highly cherished culinary delight in Greek cuisine, contributing significantly to the economic prosperity of local producers. However, the issue of food fraud associated with these products poses substantial risks to both consumer safety and economic stability. In the present study, multi-elemental analysis combined with decision tree learning algorithms were investigated for their potential to determine the multi-elemental profile and discriminate the origin of beans collected from the two geographical areas. Ensuring the authenticity of agricultural products is increasingly crucial in the global food industry, particularly in the fight against food fraud, which poses significant risks to consumer safety and economic stability. To ascertain this, an extensive multi-elemental analysis (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, Se, Sr, Ta, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Zn, and Zr) was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Bean samples originating from Kastoria and Prespes (products with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status) were studied, focusing on the determination of elemental profiles or fingerprints, which are directly related to the geographical origin of the growing area. In this study, we employed a decision tree algorithm to classify Greek "Gigantes Elefantes" beans based on their multi-elemental composition, achieving high performance metrics, including an accuracy of 92.86%, sensitivity of 87.50%, and specificity of 96.88%. These results demonstrate the model's effectiveness in accurately distinguishing beans from different geographical regions based on their elemental profiles. The trained model accomplished the discrimination of Greek "Gigantes Elefantes" beans from Kastoria and Prespes, with remarkable accuracy, based on their multi-elemental composition.

Determining Carbohydrates for Increasing Safety: GC-FID Quantification of Lactose, Galactose, Glucose, Tagatose and Myo-Inositol in ‘Maturo’ PDO Pecorino Sardo Cheese

Although PDO Pecorino Sardo is one of the oldest traditional cheeses of Sardinia, Italy, data on its nutritional properties and food safety are lacking. In particular, significant amounts of lactose and galactose may be a health concern for consumers. The primary objective of this study is to quantify, using a validated GC-FID method, the residual lactose and galactose content in “maturo” (i.e., ripened for at least two months) Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) Pecorino Sardo cheese. A statistically representative sampling from seven dairies distributed throughout Sardinia has been selected for this aim. In addition to lactose and galactose, two of their metabolites (i.e., glucose and tagatose, respectively) and a bioactive polyol like myo-inositol were quantified. The concentration of lactose (mean 26 mg kg−1, range 4–90 mg kg−1) was below the strictest limit set in the European Union (i.e., 100 mg kg−1), while the galactose content was found to be in an amount (mean: 76 mg kg−1, range: 10–200 mg kg−1) that even patients afflicted with severe galactosemia, albeit with some circumspection, could consume this cheese. Ripening (two to four months) had no significant effect on the amount of all analytes, while a slight decrease in galactose levels was observed during the manufacturing season. Finally, the amounts of glucose, tagatose, and myo-inositol are constant in the range of a few tens of mg kg−1.

Strategies to Reduce Salt Content: PDO and PGI Meat Products Case.

The reduction of sodium chloride (NaCl) content, commonly known as salt, in processed meat products is one of the objectives of health organizations and government authorities to achieve healthier products. This reformulation of traditional meat products with protected designations poses more constraints, as they have a more consolidated quality image and less margin for change, since consumers appreciate the products for their unique sensory characteristics. The aim of this work is to present some of the strategies that have been explored to obtain meat products with low sodium content. Information related to the characteristics of traditional meat products with quality marks and geographical indications in different studies is discussed in opposition to the information recorded in their product specifications. It was found that the product specifications of meat products with Portuguese Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) show a wide variation in the NaCl content, much higher than the recommended values. Thus, one of the requirements to be implemented will be the parameterization of NaCl levels and their monitorization by control and certification organizations as a way to ensure product quality. It is also urgent to examine whether healthy innovation strategies may affect the quality of traditional PDO or PGI meat products and whether they can be included in the respective product specifications.

Long-term stability of extra virgin olive oil: effects of filtration and refrigeration storage on the Kolovi variety.

The composition of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) defines its sensory, nutritional, and human health benefits, and distinguishes it as a key component of the Mediterranean diet. Nevertheless, EVOO constituents are susceptible to degradation during processing and storage, which reduces the olive oil's quality and limits its shelf life. The present study investigated the effect of molecular filtration before storage and the effect of cool storage at 4 °C on the stability of 'Kolovi' EVOO, a variety originating from the Greek island of Lesvos, over a 24 month period. Storing EVOO at 4 °C positively affected free acidity, peroxide value, K268, fruity qualities, and concentrations of hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, ligstroside aglycone, lutein, and squalene, in comparison with the control sample stored at room temperature, particularly after 1 year. Molecular filtration significantly affected the ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (UFAs/SFAs). Optimal preservation of parameters such as acidity value and lutein content was achieved by combining molecular filtration with refrigeration. The present study recommends storing EVOO in the refrigerator for up to 18 months. Based on the regulatory limits of the quality characteristics of acidity, peroxide value, K232 value and fruity sensory attributes, the shelf-life of the protected geographical indication (PGI) 'Kolovi' EVOO can reach 2 years under cool storage (4 °C) and with molecular filtration before storage. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Epidemiology and Management of Bean Common Mosaic Virus (BCMV) in Traditional Phaseolus vulgaris L. Landraces within Protected Geographical Indications

Protected geographical indications (PGIs) share health problems related to plant propagation material. The PGI “Faba de Lourenzá” encompasses a 1660 km2 area in northern Galicia, Spain, renowned for its “Faba Galaica” (FG) and Faba do marisco” (FM) bean cultivars. The lack of certified virus-free seeds poses a challenge. From 2019 to 2023, seeds from 60 lots were tested for BCMV. Plants from several plots were tested periodically to develop disease progress curves (DPCs). Control methods (plots out PGI zone, virus-free seedlings, rogueing, corn borders, and intercropping) were tested. Yields in five plots were used to assess BCMV’s economic impact. Seed lots were 22.3% FG-infected and &lt;5% FM-infected. The transmission rate of BCMV from infected FG plants to their seeds was 25.5 ± 5%, while for FM it was 12 ± 3%. FG yield losses were on average 31.6 ± 4.5%. Combining virus-free seedlings and infected plant removal in plots outside the PGI area proved effective at reducing infection rates; combining with intercropping resulted in the lowest incidence in an FG plot. Farmer training and off-site plot selection to produce healthy sowing beans are key to improving results.

Corylus avellana cultivar “Tonda di Giffoni”, source of antioxidant diarylheptanoids: Biological evaluation and molecular docking analysis

Hazelnut “Tonda di Giffoni” (Corylus avellana L.) is a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) product of the Campania region, Southern Italy, marked for its processing quality which guarantees origin, typical features, high physicochemical quality, and organoleptic properties. Previous investigations on hazelnut and its byproducts revealed the presence of diarylheptanoid derivatives, natural compounds with antioxidant properties. With the aim of exploring the nutraceutical properties of hazelnut diarylheptanoids, the antioxidant properties of giffonins E (1), H (2), and J (3), three cyclic diaryletherheptanoids, and carpinontriol B (4), a cyclic diarylheptanoid, were investigated. Tested compounds showed significant protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxic damage in human neuroblastoma and embryonic kidney cell lines. Compounds 1–4 were also able to prevent oxidative stress by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and levels of lipid peroxidation, and attenuating cell apoptosis (caspase-3 activity).Moreover, considering that the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is responsible for regulating an extensive panel of antioxidant enzymes, the capability of these natural products to disrupt the interaction between Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), thereby activating the Nrf2-mediated pathway, was evaluated by molecular docking experiments and in vitro tests.The Western blot analysis revealed that giffonin H and carpinontriol B had an indirect antioxidant action, as evidenced by a significant rise in the translocated protein following their administration.

Barley varieties registered in the Czech Republic after the harvest of 2023

After the 2023 harvest, four varieties of spring barley were registered in the Czech Republic. The malting quality was determined in three varieties. After four years of testing, LG Tuplak was registered. After three years of testing, the spring barley varieties LG Lokal, Sting, and the non-malting variety Ranee were registered. LG Tuplak and LG Lokal showed low activity of proteolytic and cytolytic enzymes and a low level of apparent final attenuation and thus fulfilled the conditionsfor varieties recommended for the production of beer with the protected geographical indication 'České pivo'. The spring barley variety Sting showed very good malting quality. It provided a sweet wort with a rich extract content in malt dry matter (above 83%). Proteolytic modification was optimal to higher in this variety. Cell wall degradation was at an optimal level in the Sting variety. The varieties tested gave clear to opalescent sweet wort.

Phaseolus coccineus L. Landraces in Greece: Microsatellite Genotyping and Molecular Characterization for Landrace Authenticity and Discrimination.

Phaseolus coccineus L. is a highly valuable crop for human consumption with a high protein content and other associated health benefits. Herein, 14 P. coccineus L. landraces were selected for genetic characterization: two Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) landraces from the Prespon area, namely "Gigantes" ("G") and "Elephantes" ("E"), and 12 additional landraces from the Greek Gene Bank collection of beans (PC1-PC12). The genetic diversity among these landraces was assessed using capillary electrophoresis utilizing fluorescence-labeled Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) and Expressed Sequence Tag (EST); Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) is a molecular marker technology. The "G" and "E" Prespon landraces were clearly distinguished among them, as well as from the PC1 to PC12 landraces, indicating the unique genetic identity of the Prespon beans. Overall, the genetic characterization of the abundant Greek bean germplasm using molecular markers can aid in the genetic identification of "G" and "E" Prespon beans, thus preventing any form of fraudulent practices as well as supporting traceability management strategies for the identification of authenticity, and protection of the origin of local certified products.

Impact of mineral and organic fertilisation practices on elemental authenticity signature on apple Royal Gala from protected geographical indication (PGI) “Maçã de Alcobaça”

Market demand, climate change and soil degradation force producers to maintain the productivity and quality of high-market-value products, such as Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) fruits. “Maçã de Alcobaça” apples produced in the central-western part of Portugal, namely the variety Royal Gala, one of the PGI varieties with higher demand, are among those with higher requirements in terms of fertilization to maintain the high productivity demanded by the market. In the present work, three different soil NPK fertilization schemes were applied to experimental orchards within the PGI area (1 x mineral NPK proposed for integrated production, an intermediate strategy that included organic granular amendment and 2 x mineral NPK), and the elemental profiles of the apple pulps were analysed and compared. Some mineral elements improved their concentration in the apple pulps with fertilization due to interactions of these elements with the fertilizer components (namely, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus) or to potential changes in the bioavailability of the elements in the soil due to fertilization application. From a nutritional perspective, enhancing the mineral profile of apple pulps can be achieved by applying 1 x NPK fertilization. Consuming an average of 2 fruits daily (160 g each) would then help meet a higher percentage of the daily requirements for most essential elements crucial for human nutrition. Also, noteworthy to mention, that none of the tested fertilization practices led to a reduction in the nutritional quality of the fruits analysed when compared to the 1 x NPK condition. The present work also had the objective of evaluating if these fertilization practices and the mineral changes induced would have implications for the PGI authenticity elemental signatures previously developed. Using Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) models calibrated with PGI and non-PGI (from North Portugal and Italy) samples and feeding these models with elemental profile data of fruits collected from fertilized orchards as blind samples, it was possible to observe that all samples from the fertilization trials were correctly classified as PGI samples. This reinforces the edaphic characteristics of the cultivation area's prevalent role over the effect of fertilization practices or physiological trait changes, in shaping the elemental signature of the fruits. This was found to be mostly due to the high influence of geologically linked elements (such as Rb, Pb and Y) in the discrimination of the sample provenance. This allows us to confirm the suitability of the elemental traceability models for “Maçã de Alcobaça” PGI authenticity validation, ensuring its provenance and nutritional characteristics to the consumers and maintaining its market value even if fertilization practices are applied to fight less favourable cultivation conditions.

A Study of the Elemental Profiles of Wines from the North-Eastern Coast of the Black Sea

Due to the increasing consumer interest in wines with a controlled place of origin, PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), the most acute question is how to identify them. One of the most effective ways to confirm the place of origin of wine in global practice is a comprehensive study of the elemental profile using statistical analysis methods. In the period from 2020 to 2023, 152 grape samples of grapes were collected from various wineries in Crimea and Kuban. The grape must that was obtained from them was fermented in laboratory conditions. The elemental profile was determined in the prepared wines, which included 71 indicators. In the conducted work, it was revealed that wines from Crimea and Kuban differ statistically significantly in the concentration of the elements B, Ca, Cu, Mn, Na, Ni, Re, Si, Sn and U. At the same time, the contents of the elements U, Sn and Re prevail in wines from Crimea, and those of B, Ca, Cu, Mn, Na, Ni and Si prevail in wines from Kuban. At the same time, methods of univariate and multivariate statistics do not allow us to reliably classify wine samples from Crimea and Kuban by their place of origin. In order to reveal the non-linear dependence of the studied indicators in wines on the geographical place of grape growing, the method of a supervised learning Random Forest was used. After training the model on the dataset, the proportion of its correct predictions was 96%. The model used 61 parameters, among which the most important were Ni, Re, Ba, Rb, Na, U, Sb, Zn, Bi, Ag and Ti.

Markers for meat provenance and authenticity with an account of its defining factors and quality characteristics - a review.

Provenance is becoming increasingly important in meat supply chains as it lends products higher perceived quality. However, its precise definition and interpretation along with its associated characteristics factors have remained somewhat elusive. This review meticulously defines meat provenance while dissecting the essential factors and associated quality attributes that constitute its essence and are subsequently employed to establish pertinent markers for provenance. Meat provenance emerges as a multi-dimensional construct stemming from the adept management of a constellation of factors relating to geographical origin, farm production system, traceability, and authenticity. Through intricate interactions, these factors unveil innate originality that not only forges a distinct reputation but also imparts a unique typicity to the meat product. Gaining insights into a meat product's provenance becomes attainable by scrutinizing its pertinent composition and organoleptic quality traits. Trace elements and stable isotopes stand out as provenance markers, forging a direct connection to both geographical origin and dietary sources. While somewhat less direct in linkage, other markers such as plant biomarkers, fatty acid composition, pH levels, flavour and aromatic compounds along with organoleptic characteristics contribute to the overall understanding of provenance. Additionally, the identification of animal species and breeds serves as key markers, particularly in the context of protected geographical indications. The study findings are useful for the various stakeholders of how the information for meat provenance can be linked with intrinsic and extrinsic factors for meat quality and protecting the integrity of the supply chain with special reference to traceability and authenticity. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Deciphering microbial communities of three Savoyard raw milk cheeses along ripening and regarding the cheese process

Different Savoyard cheeses are granted with PDO (Protected Designation or Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) which guarantees consumers compliance with strict specifications. The use of raw milk is known to be crucial for specific flavor development. To unravel the factors influencing microbial ecosystems across cheese making steps, according to the seasonality (winter and summer) and the mode of production (farmhouse and dairy factory ones), gene targeting on bacteria and fungus was used to have a full picture of 3 cheese making technologies, from the raw milk to the end of the ripening. Our results revealed that Savoyard raw milks are a plenteous source of biodiversity together with the brines used during the process, that may support the development of specific features for each cheese. It was shown that rinds and curds have very contrasted ecosystem diversity, composition, and evolution. Ripening stage was selective for some bacterial species, whereas fungus were mainly ubiquitous in dairy samples. All ripening stages are impacted by the type of cheese technologies, with a higher impact on bacterial communities, except for fungal rind communities, for which the technology is the more discriminant. The specific microorganism's abundance for each technology allow to see a real bar-code, with more or less differences regarding bacterial or fungal communities. Bacterial structuration is shaped mainly by matrices, differently regarding technologies while the influence of technology is higher for fungi. Production types showed 10 differential bacterial species, farmhouses showed more ripening taxa, while dairy factory products showing more lactic acid bacteria. Meanwhile, seasonality looks to be a minor element for the comprehension of both microbial ecosystems, but the uniqueness of each dairy plant is a key explicative feature, more for bacteria than for fungus communities.

Participatory ecodesign of crop management based on Life Cycle Assessment: an approach to inform the strategy of a Protected Denomination of Origin. A case study in viticulture

Since the context on environmental issues is challenging, the Cognac protected denomination of origin (PDO) adopted life cycle assessment (LCA) to inform its environmental strategy, initially focusing on vineyard soil management. This study developed a participatory eco-design approach involving stakeholders to inform the PDOs’ strategy for transitioning to less impactful crop management practices. It did this by drawing on literature that emphasises the use of participatory design, serious games, and LCA to foster knowledge sharing, engagement, and sustainability assessment. The approach that was put to the test in the Cognac PDO involved 17 elected officials with varying levels of experience. The participants used the serious game known as Vitigame (a game done for participatory ecodesign in viticulture) to ecodesign a soil management and fertilisation pathway for 2030, with the process guided by the results of the LCA. Exchange dynamics, LCA results, and participant feedback were analysed. The study revealed diverse dynamics and efficient ecodesign strategies among the participant groups, which resulted in a reduction of environmental impacts by up to 51% and raised new questions for the territory. The diversity of participants presented challenges, highlighting the need to improve LCA knowledge sharing. The workshop’s results could inform the PDO’s strategic planning. The interest of this innovative process including a serious game was confirmed, suggesting potential applications to other viticultural PDOs and adaptability to diverse sectors.

Hedonic Analysis of Dried Pasta Prices Using E-Commerce Data-An Explorative Study.

Italy is the world leader in the production of pasta and the Italian market is characterized by strong price competition among large industrial producers. Thus, recently, many small and medium firms have started to differentiate their products as a way to achieve higher margins and escape from price competition. Using data on the prices and characteristics of dried pasta sold online in the Italian market and a hedonic price model, we estimated the implicit prices associated with several attributes that are currently available for dried pasta. We find that the "artisanal" statement on pasta labeling is associated with the highest price premium. Also, results show that protected geographical indication, Halal and Kosher certifications, and the use of ancient wheat varieties are valuable features of dried pasta sold in the Italian market. Instead, a positive, albeit limited in magnitude, price premium is associated with dried pasta made using 100% Italian durum wheat semolina, the organic method, enriched with additional ingredients. Findings suggest that producers can differentiate their products by mostly emphasizing their small-scale production methods, the territorial connotation, and the cultural and environmental sustainability of production. Otherwise, certifying dried pasta as Halal or Kosher can represent a complementary or alternative strategy to differentiate the product and achieve a higher price.