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: 2nd
Maria Z. Tsimidou
Chair
Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki/ Greece
Annual Progress Conference
Jerusalem, 1-3 July 2013
COST is supported
by the EU Framework Programme
ESF provides the COST Office
through a European Commission contract
Scientific context and objectives (1/2)
Background / Problem statement: Saffron is
•
a profitable High Value Agricultural Product (HVAP), of European in origin, cultural and
historical background
•
fits food-safety tendencies in Europe
•
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.
Brief reminder of MoU objectives: 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. The final objective is to preserve Crocus biodiversity, to
carry out genetic improvement and to protect quality, sustainability, and safety of production of saffron
in Europe.
The long term achievement expected: CONTROL OF ADULTERATION WORLDWIDE.
2
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Crocoideae
Genus: Crocus
Species: Crocus Sativus Linnaeus
Crocus sativus L.
 The plant Crocus sativus L.
is a member of the Iridaceae
family.
 The major producing countries
are Iran, India, Spain and Greece.
 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
petals.
 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

Το φυτό C. sativus L. ανήκει στην
οικογένεια των Ιριδοειδών.
Οι κύριες κροκοπαραγωγές χώρες
είναι το Ιράν, η Ινδία, η Ισπανία
και η Ελλάδα.
Είναι φυτό τριπλοειδές, στείρο,
πολλαπλασιάζεται με βολβούς.
Το ύψος του κυμαίνεται από 10
έως 25 εκ.
Τα ιώδη άνθη του αποτελούνται
από 6 πέταλα.
Στο κέντρο του άνθους υπάρχουν 3
κίτρινοι στήμονες και η ωοθήκη με
το στύλο ο οποίος διαχωρίζεται σε
3
style
stigma
στίγματα
ovary
4
Annual cycle of the plant
Crocus sativus L.
corms: 3 to 6
years in the
same field
Ο κύκλος ζωής του φυτού
Crocus sativus L.
βολβοί: 3 με 6
χρόνια στο ίδιο
χωράφι
White Book, Saffron in Europe
5
Scientific context and objectives (2/2)
Research directions:
-ORGANISING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE R&D and
INNOVATION
-ASSEMBLING PREEMINENT EXPERTS (MULTIDISCIPLINARY
APPROACH)
-INVOLVING PRODUCERS, MANUFACTURERS, MARKET
STAKEHOLDERS & CONSUMERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST FRAUD
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.
5
Working groups
1.
Working group Genetics, Genomics & Transcriptomics (coordinated
research on these fields). Leader: P. Herslop-Harrison (UK); Co-Leader: A.
Mozzarelli (IT)
2.
Working group Phytochemistry & Metabolomics (coordinated research on
these fields). Leader: M. Polissiou (GR); Co-leader: M. Carmona (ES)
3.
Working group Molecular and Phytochemical fingerprinting for breeding,
traceability, and authenticity (development of technological tools) Leader: S.
Fluch (AT); Co-Leader: P. Tarantilis (GR)
4.
Working group Dissemination, Project Management & Coordination.
Leader: O. Santana (ES); Co-Leader: JM. Thiercelin (FR)
6
Future Plan and Challenges
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.
To initiate the application of omics techniques to detect “new-generation”
bioadulterants in saffron, based on DNA and chemical fingerprinting.
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.
7
Action Parties
30
25
28
25
Grant Holder:
Universidad de CastillaLa Mancha (UCLM)
Spain
20
15
10
9
7
Dr. Marta RoldanMedina
5
0
YR 1
Parties
YR 2
YR 3
YR 4
Non-COST Countries
8
Action participants
120
100
112
95
Total no. of indiv.
Participants
ESRs
80
60
40
25 35
20
25
37
Female
0
YR 1
YR 2
YR 3
YR 4
9
ISRAEL:1
MOROCCO:2
EGYPT: 1
TURKEY:1
1
IRAN:2
INDIA:1
AJERBAIJAN:1
USA:2
NEW Zealand: 2
SAUDI ARABIA:1
2
1
2
1
4
1
3
3
1
1
10
1
2
20
19
Use of COST Instruments
Activity (No.)
Year 1
Year 2
MC/WG Meetings
3
3
STSMs
5
5
Training Schools
-
-
Workshops or
Conferences
1
-
Joint Publications*
-
-
Year 3
Year 4
*In scientific journals
11
Progress vs objectives
• 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).
• Progress has been also achieved in networking of individual researchers during the 4
meetings so far (2 collaboration for project submission).
• WEB page (www.saffronomics.gr) and newsletter are useful platforms for
communicating various types of information on “saffronomics” and other related
activities
• 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)
Progress vs objectives
• Main Results obtained vs. specific objectives were the 54
communications by a total of 95 different authors presented in the
3 COST FA1101 Meetings taken place during the 2012 year and the
20 ones presented by a total of 49 authors in the 1rst meeting of
2013 (http://www.saffronomics.org/download-center/)
• Agreement to share reference samples of saffron dried stigmas to get
comparable scientific results among laboratories
• Agreement to collaborate in ring tests for the improvement of
analytical protocols
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”
14
Challenges
•Deviations are mainly due to financial restrictions in terms of
national or european fundings
•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.
15
Socio-economic impacts and
important societal impacts
•
•
•
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)
Thank you for your attention