PROJECT R&D+I

TITLE
"STRAWBERRY+": NEW APPROACHES TO INCREASE STRAWBERRY QUALITY FROM THE
FIELD TO THE INDUSTRY

HIGHLIGHTS
Increase the strawberry's fitness for technological transformation and reduce its post-
harvest waste

ABSTRACT
The suitability of the strawberry and its quality for the fruit preparation industry has to be worked
from the field to the finished product. Among the main parameters of strawberry quality are the
texture, flavor (soluble sugars and organic acids) and color (anthocyanins).

Attending to high competitiveness of the agri-food industry, this sector must constantly meet the
expectations of a consumer who is increasingly enlightened and more demanding in terms of the
additives used, the environmental impact of the production of raw materials and the processes
and avid to try new products.
This project aims to increase the strawberry's ability for technological transformation (production
of premium industrial strawberry - e.g. strawberry with greater firmness, brix, color, lower
microbial load and with less chemical residues) and reduce its post-harvest waste. Specific
objectives are: (i) to test new approaches to optimize strawberry quality and productivity, with a
focus on fertilizer application and growth regulators; (ii) make a comparative analysis of the
hydroponic production system with the soil production system - at the level of production,
productivity, sensorial quality and microbiological load/ diseases; (iii) optimize the efficiency and
effectiveness of first transformation operations (cutting and disinfection); (iv) testing the
maintenance of the integrity of innovative forms of fruit for the development of new products.

KEYWORDS
Strawberry, Quality, Production, Transformation, Hydroponics, Sensory Analysis, Innovation

PROMOTERS / PARTNERS
Escola Superior de Biotecnologia Universidade Catlica Portuguesa (coordinator); Frulact; Faculdade de
Cincias da Universidade do Porto

FINANCING PROGRAM EXECUTION DATE GLOBAL BUDGET

ANI-Co-Promoo 2016-2019 184 176,89

CONTACTS E-MAIL PHONE

Marta Vasconcelos mvasconcelos@porto.ucp.pt +351 22 558 0040