Sistemas Agrícolas Sustentáveis, Inovação Alimentar e Práticas Artísticas para Adaptação Climática

SINFONIA aims to i) enhance soil and aboveground health through sustainable practices, ensuring secure food production; ii) develop innovative food products that meet market demands, such as a plant-based egg for the food industry and an energy-protein supplement for older adults; and iii) create new materials and solutions for heritage and artistic creation. These objectives will be pursued through three Research Lines (RL). RL1 focuses on developing climate-smart agrifood solutions by integrating elite crop genotypes (barley, lupin, and tomato), microbial bioinoculants, and precision soil management. Participatory trials and greenhouse and field applications will assess crop performance, drought resilience, nutrient efficiency, and soil health improvements. Biotechnological innovations, including plant growth-promoting bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, will reduce reliance on irrigation and synthetic inputs. Additionally, soil diagnostic tools and micronutrient monitoring protocols will enable real-time, site-specific soil fertility management. Biomass residues will be transformed into functional biopolymers, while predictive models, life cycle assessments, and economic analyses will support scalability and market readiness. RL2 will leverage nutrient-rich crops from Northern Portugal, including those from RL1, to develop two innovative plant-based products: a protein-energy supplement for older adults and a plant-based liquid egg for B2B and B2C markets. Locally sourced ingredients will foster regional economic sustainability. Advanced food processing technologies, such as spray drying, freeze drying, ultrasound, and cold plasma, will ensure scalable and sustainable production while preserving nutritional and sensory properties. Consumer education strategies, including sensory trials and participatory design, will address resistance to novel foods, enhancing product acceptance. This research will collaborate with RL3 and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS) at UCP, promoting food literacy and sustainable choices. RL3 will address climate change’s impact on the arts by developing high-bioreceptivity stone prototypes, testing conservation materials derived from RL1’s agricultural residues, and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration in heritage and public art preservation. It will explore policy frameworks and institutional support for bio-receptive public artworks incorporating living microorganisms, in partnership with the Research Centre in Management and Economics (CEGE). Advanced environmental data collection and AI-driven biodeterioration analysis will improve preventive conservation and inspire climate-responsive artistic creation. Additionally, RL3 will explore the intersection of Media Arts and ecological thought through mapping, artistic creation, and analysis, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, sensory engagement, and AI integration in artistic practices.