Project Details

BLACKGOLD

Carobs in Cyprus has traditionally earned the name of Black Gold. For decades it was one of the main economic sectors of the country. Recently, the international market for carob-based products has increased mainly due to the significant rise in the demand for biologically natural, gluten and caffeine free products but also because of other factors, such as the expected shortage of cacao and the beneficial effect of carobs on gastrointestinal disorders. This projects aims to play a significant role in evolving and re-establishing the carob industry of Cyprus into a modern form. Through a wide ranging scientific investigation of the Cypriots carobs, the project aims to uncover their key biochemical properties that can form the basis for the production of novel carob-based products and identifying the parameters that could improve the productivity of carob trees in Cyprus. To ensure the commercial viability of these new types of carob products the project includes several activities to monitor the development of the various sectors of the international markets for carob-based products. In particular, the project aims to produce the following results: 1) comprehensive genetic profile of Cypriot carobs, 2) in-depth analysis of their chemical composition and bioactive/health promoting properties, 3) new scientifically based cultivation guidelines for the agriculture of carobs in Cyprus and, 4) a wide collection of (types of) commercially viable Cypriot carob-based products. The strong synthesis of this inter-disciplinary work of the project involving scientific, industrial and commercialization, aims to achieve a thorough understanding of the long-term potential of the carob industry in Cyprus and offers a unique opportunity to elevate the carob industry in Cyprus and expand its novel and traditional products to the global markets. See the 1st newsletter. See the 2nd newsletter. See the 4th newsletter.  

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  Παρουσίαση των αποτελεσμάτων που εξήχθησαν στα πλαίσια του προγράμματος BlackGold από τις ερευνητικές ομάδες των εργαστηρίων Ενόργανης Ανάλυσης και Βιοφυσικής και Βιοαναλυτικής Χημείας του Τμήματος Χημείας του Πανεπιστημίου Κύπρου, στο συνέδριο "Trends in Natural Products Research: A PSE Young Scientists Meeting" που διεξάχθηκε στην Κρήτη (23-26 Μαΐου 2022).  

Partners:

• 
  State General Laboratory
• 
  Co-operative Carob Marketing Federation Ltd
• 
  SODAP Ltd
• 
  Polyxenis Carob Products Ltd
• 
  Assia mare ltd
• 
  Agriculture Research Institute
• 
  University of Cyprus