Action Title: Omics Technologies for Crop Improvement, Traceability, Determination of Authenticity, Adulteration and Origin in Saffron (SAFFRONOMICS) Action number: FA1101 Start date: 24/11/2011 End date: 23/11/2015 Year: 3rd
Chair: Maria Z. Tsimidou Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Greece
COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme
Annual Progress Conference Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 28-29-30 April 2014
ESF provides the COST Office through a European Commission contract
Saffron: The dehydrated red stigmas of the flower of the plant Crocus sativus L.
Bright red colour Bitter taste Unique flavour
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Crocus sativus L. Family: Iridaceae Subfamily: Crocoideae Genus: Crocus Species: Crocus Sativus Linnaeus
stigma
style ovary
The plant Crocus sativus L. is a member of the Iridaceae family. The major producing countries are Iran, India, Greece and Spain. It is a perennial, triploid, sterile plant and is reproduced by corms. It reaches a height of 10 to 25 cm. Its purple flowers consist of 6 tepals. The pistil is located in the centre of its flower with one ovary from which a style is emerged. Style is ended to a three-branch stigma
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Annual cycle of the plant Crocus sativus L.
corms: 3 to 6 years in the same field
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White Book, Saffron in Europe
Trade values
Saffron is expensive (~3500 €/kg) because the production process requires manual labor is of low yield (1-2 kg/hectare) Trade values are determined based on the standard specifications described in the ISO 3632-1&2, mainly on Colouring strength (E1% at 440 nm) Bitterness (as picrocrocin content, E1% at 250 nm) Aroma (as safranal content, E1% at 330 nm)
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Based on the ISO trade standard for saffron (3632-1) Absorbance at 257, 330 and 440 nm are related with the presence of OH
Picrocrocin
O
O
HO
O
HO OH
Safranal
Crocins
O
20'
O R1O
8
9 19
11
13
15
15'
13'
19' 11'
19
OR2
9'
20
all trans
O
R1 O
20
8 9
11 Rxn
13 15
O
13-cis
15' 20' 13'
Rxn
R1, R2: 1-3 Glucose moieties or H atom
11' Rxn
19' 9'
O
8'
OR2
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Scientific context and objectives (1/3) Background / Problem statement Saffron is: •
a profitable High Value Agricultural Product (HVAP), of European in origin, cultural and historical background
•
fits food-safety trends
•
a crop that fixes population in the rural areas
•
The European Saffron industry is in crisis. Little or null impact in the CAP.
•
Adulteration and mislabelling are key problems.
•
The scientific human power involved in Saffron RTD is petite.
•
This crop requires global actions, overcoming private and national interests –actions are needed beyond EU borders.
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Scientific context and objectives (2/3) Brief reminder of MoU objectives: Objective 1:  To build up a network of collaborative research on the structural organization of Saffron genome, DNA fingerprinting, chemical fingerprinting, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics of this crop.
Objective 2:  To preserve Crocus biodiversity, to carry out genetic improvement and to protect quality, sustainability, and safety of production of saffron in Europe.
Objective 3 The long term achievement expected: CONTROL OF ADULTERATION WORLDWIDE. 8
Scientific context and objectives (3/3) Research directions: •
ORGANISING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE R&D and INNOVATION
•
ASSEMBLING PREEMINENT EXPERTS (MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH)
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INVOLVING PRODUCERS, MANUFACTURERS, MARKET STAKEHOLDERS & CONSUMERS
This integrated knowledge will be the basis for the development of saffron genetic improvement, for reliable innovative techniques to produce high value saffron and to combat especially bio-adulteration and fraud. 9
Working groups 1.
Genetics, Genomics & Transcriptomics (coordinated research on these fields). Leader: Silvia Fluch (AT); Co-Leader: A. Mozzarelli (IT)
2.
Phytochemistry & Metabolomics (coordinated research on these fields). Leader: M. Polissiou (GR); Co-leader: M. Carmona (ES)
3.
Molecular and Phytochemical fingerprinting for breeding, traceability, and authenticity (development of technological tools) Leader: P. Tarantilis (GR); Co-Leader: S. Ordoudi (GR)
4.
Dissemination, Project Management & Coordination. Leader: O. Santana (ES); Co-Leader: JM. Thiercelin (FR)
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Action Parties 20
21
18
15 10
8
8
5
Parties Non-COST Countries
Grant Holder: Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain Dr. Marta Roldan-Medina Grant Holder manager
0 YR 1
YR 2
YR 3
YR 4
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Action participants 150 100
136 Total no. of indiv. Participants
95
ESRs Female
50
2535
46 34
0 YR 1
YR 2
YR 3
YR 4
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ISRAEL:1 MOROCCO:2 EGYPT: 1 TURKEY:2
1
2
4 [2] 4 1
IRAN:2 INDIA:1 AJERBAIJAN:1 USA:2 NEW Zealand: 2 SAUDI ARABIA:1
4 1 3
1
5 [2] 1 1
1 1
11 [4] 1
2 20 [6] 21 [7]
Use of COST Instruments Activity (No.)
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3 (plan)
MC/WG Meetings
1 MC meeting/ 2 WG1-4 meetings
1 MC meeting 2 WG1-4 meetings 1 WG1 expert meeting
1 MC meeting 1 WG1-4 meetings 2 expert meetings]
(on saffron genome sequencing)
STSMs
5 STSMs
9 STSMs
Training Schools
-
-
Year 4
(White Paper on saffron extraction procedures regarding ISO quality requirements) (protocol on spectroscopic techniques)
7 max STSMs 1 Training School (on spectroscopic and chemometric approaches)
1 Training School (on saffron proteomics)
Workshops or Conferences
1 EU Seminar
1 Workshop (on wild crocuses) 1 Annual Conference
1 Workshop (on saffron genome) 1 Annual Conference
3-5 expected
Joint Publications* *In scientific journals
-
2
In FA1101 meetings
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55 14
Progress in joint research has been achieved mainly through exchange visits of young scientists from laboratories of established experience in saffron quality and authenticity aspects (Spain, Italy, Greece) to laboratories of established experience in new analytical techniques (Greece, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands) and between laboratories involved in Plant Genomics (Spain, Italy, Germany).
•STSM leader Dr. Giovanni Giuliano, ENEA, IT (1st-2nd year) •STSM leader Dr. Roberto Consonni, ISMAC, IT (3rd year -) 15
STSMs Applicant: Dr. Nikolaos Nenadis Affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH, Greece) Subject: Ageing of saffron determined by PTR-MS (2012)
Applicant: Dr. Mateo Busconi Affiliation: UniversitĂ Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano (Italy)
Subject: Development of molecular markers (AFLPs, SNPs) and analysis of data to ascertain genetic variability in the saffron 'CrocusBank' collection (2012)
Applicant: PhD. Student Eleni Naziri Affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH, Greece) Subject: NMR based metabolomic characterization of saffron extracts from different geographical origins (2012)
STSMs Applicant: Sarah Frusciante Affiliation: ENEA-Green Biotechnology Unit (ENEA, Rome (Italy) Subject: Biochemical characterization of novel CCDs from Saffron (2013)
Applicant: Dr. Mahmoud SHARAF-ELDIN Affiliation: Salman bin Abdulaziz University (SAU) / National Research Centre (NRC, Egypt) Subject: Detection of saffron bio-adulteration (2013)
Applicant: PhD. Student Sofia Lalou Affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH, Greece) Subject: NMR metabolite profiling of aged saffron (2013)
STSMs Applicant: Dr. Omar Santana Méridas Affiliation: Parque Científico y Tecnológico (JCCM-PCYTA, Spain) Subject: Sourcing and metabolomic study of new sources of Crocus-based bioactive extracts (2013)
Applicant: Dr Olivia Costantina Demurtas Affiliation: ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Development (ENEA, Italy) Subject: Functional characterization of candidate transporters of saffron stigma secondary metabolites (2013) Applicant: Dr. Stella Ordoudi Affiliation: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH, Greece) Subject: Meta-analysis of NMR data using chemometrics for assessment of agerelated biomarkers in saffron (2013)
STSMs Applicant: Ms Soukaina Chaouqi Affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA, Morocco) Subject: Evaluation of the effect of dehydration, drying and storage conditions on secondary compounds of Moroccan saffron (2013)
SUMMARY OF COMPLETED STSMs 2013: 9 completed STSMs
2014: 5 STSMs planned
More information available in http://www.saffronomics.org/download-center/cat_view/5-completed-stsms.html
Progress vs objectives (2/2) • WEB page (www.saffronomics.gr) and newsletter are useful platforms for communicating various types of information on “SaffronOmics” and other related activities.
• Outreach activities for Krokos Kozanis was an outcome of an MSc thesis for spreading information about the properties of herbs and spices and in particular for authentic saffron to high school pupils. Castilla la Mancha prepares outreach activities for elementary school pupils. •
Progress was also achieved in dissemination about saffron properties, authenticity and consumer awareness as well as for expansion of saffron cultivation (Austria, FYROM, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia) through mass media and public lectures.
•
FACE BOOK
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Progress vs objectives (3/2) •
•
• • • • • • • • • • •
Results were the 54 communications by a total of 95 different authors presented in the 3 COST FA1101 scientific meetings taken place in the 1rst year (2012) and the 55 ones presented by a total of 116 different authors in the 2 scientific meetings in the 2nd year (2013) (http://www.saffronomics.org/download-center/). Publications: 1 book of Proceedings from 1rst year scientific meetings (ISBN -13:978-84-6160964-2 and 2 joint research papers (Ordoudi, S.A., de los Mozos Pascual, M., Tsimidou, M.Z., Food Chemistry, 2014, 150, 414-421 / Sánchez-Vioque, R., Polissiou, M., Astraka, K., de los Mozos-Pascual, M., Tarantilis, P., Herraiz-Peñalver, D., Santana-Méridas, O. Industrial Crops and Products, 2013, 49, 150-159. Agreement to share reference samples of saffron dried stigmas to get comparable scientific results among laboratories (in process for a third harvesting period) Agreement to collaborate in ring tests for the improvement of analytical protocols (under reconsideration due to new literature available) Data bank for genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics (under construction) Data bank for spectroscopic data (in process) Workshop in wild crocuses: set up principles for species prioritization and study beyond Crocus Bank data. Expert group meeting on saffron genome sequencing: the output was a White Paper for project plan outline. Expression of interest of more research groups to participate in our Action Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Grunder, J. Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Bio-Inorganique et Environnement, IPREM, CNRS-UPPA, Pau, France, Dr. Pedrero Zayas, Z. Institute of Applied Biosciences CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS – CERTH, Dr. Madesis, P. Dr. Galanakis,Ch. Research & Innovation Director, Galanakis Laboratories –Chania Greece 21
None of the above activities would have been planned or achieved without the Action’s research network.
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Invited Speakers in the 2nd Year Meetings WG2 Interim meeting on Phytochemistry and Metabolomics and WG1/WG3/WG4 Looking for Synergy and Dissemination Capacity Building (MaiCh, Crete, Greece) Dr. Christina Fournaki, taxonomist, Curator of the Botanic garden of MaiCh (Crete, Greece) Dr. Panagiotis Kefalas, expert in secondary metabolites Omics techniques, Director of Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products and Analytical Chemistry MaiCh (Crete, Greece) Dr. Anaya Sarpaki Archaeologist–archaeobotanist, independent Scholar in Santorini excavations Dr. Apostolos Spyros Assistant Professor, NMR specialist Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete (Heraklion Crete, Greece)
1st Annual Conference on Omics technologies for crop improvement and traceability in saffron and allied species (AIT, Tulln, Austria) Dr. Jaroslav Dolezel Centre of the Region Hana for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research (Czech Republic)
Dr. Salim al-Babili University of Science and Technology (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Dr. Konstantinos Aliferis, expert in metabolomics,Department of Plant Sciences, McGill University (Quebec, Canada) Dr. Thomas Prohaska, stable isotopes expert, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Vienna, Austria) 23
Highlights of the 2nd Year events
MaiCh meeting promotion to the local press and TV channels
Round Table of “PHYTOBUISENESS”
1st Annual Conference (Tulln, Austria)
One day meeting in Kozani (Greece) organized by the Saffron Cooperative and Crocus Kozanis Products SA.
Working with pupils of the high-school in Krokos (Kozani, Greece) on various saffron aspects
WG1-4 Meeting (Chania, Greece)
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Future Plan and Challenges (1/2)
Further advance in the genetic characterization, estimation of biodiversity and development of molecular and chemical descriptors for saffron and Crocus spp. at the CROCUSBANK World Saffron and Crocus Collection (www.crocusbank.org).
To evaluate the available genomic tools and modern genetic and breeding approaches looking for crop improvement in saffron and ornamental crocuses.
The application of omics techniques to detect “new-generation” adulterants in saffron.
To initiate genomic typing of saffron in PDOs and recognized areas, as tools for traceability applications, determination of authenticity, and for fighting against fraud of origin, labelling and marketing in this HVAP, the highest-priced European food product. 25
Future Plan and Challenges for the 1st trimester of the 3rd Year WG1
Writing a White Paper on saffron genome sequencing with contributions from various partners.
Prepare the workshop on saffron genome.
Prepare a core collection of wild saffron samples within the network.
WG2
WG4
WG3
Data Bank for spectral data after collaboration of WG2&3&4.
Joint publications between WG2&3&4 (from collaborations established in the frame of COST network).
Writing a White Paper on saffron extraction.
Organization of two training Schools to present the advanced spectroscopic techniques applied to the quality characterization of saffron. The 1st one will be on spectroscopic techniques and chemometrics and the 2nd one on saffron proteomics.
Maintenance and management of the “Saffronomics” website.
Dissemination/Outreach activities about saffron aspects for pupils of different ages.
Distribution of samples of saffron to get complementary scientific results by different Omics techniques in different laboratories for a third harvesting period).
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Significant Highlights in Science or Networking •
One proposal to the Call: FP7-PEOPLE-2013-ITN. • One proposal in Call: FP7‐KBBE‐2013‐7 ‐ single‐stage KBBE.2013.2.4‐01 “Assuring quality and authenticity in the food chain”. • One project funded in Call: FP9-KBBE.2013.3.1-01 “Plant High Value Products-from discovery to final product”. • Project: “From DISCOvery to products: A next generation pipeline for the sustainable generation of high-value plant products” (Grant agreement no: 613513. Start Date November 2013).
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Challenges Deviations are mainly due to financial restrictions in terms of
national or European funding.
Collaboration between academics and industrial partners even when agreements are signed – is not funded easily.
More data are expected in the field of Genomics and Transcriptomics. This work is tedious and expensive.
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•
Involvement of SAFFRONOMICS partners with saffron producers and companies strengthen the links among all interested parties (Italy, Spain, Greece).
•
Expansion of saffron cultivation has become a strategic plan (Austria).
•
Familiarization of the young generation from producing areas with saffron cultivation, authenticity and properties has become a priority in the activities of certain partners (Greece). 29
According to template used by IFT for outreach educational activities
Objective: To disseminate the knowledge about saffron spice and increase its comsuption within Europe through a program focused in primary schools (6 to 11years old), using an environmental program adapted to each age. Stages: - Design and development of the teaching methodology, activity proposals, and teacher´s guide adapted to the current contents in the European curriculum. - Design and development of students working books to students from 1st to 6th primary school. - Design, ilustration, layout and printing.
OUR GRATIDUTE to
Ioanna, Cassia, Christophe
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