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Title:

Promoting the Enhancement of Valuable Crops for the Utilization in Agro-Industrial Market: the Carob. The LBG Sicilia SRL Case Study

Author(s):

Testa, M., Santini, C., Supino, S., Brugaletta, M.

Document(s):

Paper Paper

Abstract:

The growing awareness of the need to protect biodiversity has favored a focus on the rediscovery of long forgotten ancient plants. Among the species cultivated since ancient times and neglected for very long decades, the carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is enjoying renewed interest in the valuable applications of its derivatives and principally of locust bean gum (LBG) used as food stabilizer, thickening agent and emulsifier (E410) as well as for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and medicinal purposes. Carob tree has very low rainfall requirements and can be developed with minimal or without irrigation and can improve soil’s fertility by fixing nitrogen and CO2 three times more than other woody crops. The rediscovery and use of ancient plants that have best adapted to their growth territory is of crucial importance to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable agricultural practices in a bioeconomy perspective. The paper carried out through a qualitative research and the case study of LBG Sicilia Srl aims to underline the opportunities to improve and optimize the production chain of sustainable natural resources, such as the carob, increasingly requested by the world agro-industrial market. Investments in soft technologies, vertical integration, lean organization, and high-quality natural products have made the success of this company feasible worldwide, creating a mix of values and distinctive characters among which flexibility and sustainability emerge strongly.

Keywords:

agriculture, sustainability, market

Topic:

Sustainable Bioeconomy: Impacts and Policies

Subtopic:

Resource Efficient Bioeconomy

Event:

29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

4BV.9.7

Pages:

1265 - 1269

ISBN:

978-88-89407-21-9

Paper DOI:

10.5071/29thEUBCE2021-4BV.9.7

Price:

FREE