Cyprus University of Technology to Spearhead the Opti-Aromaq Project
Revolutionizing Medicinal Plant Preservation and Production
The Cyprus University of Technology spearheads the Opti-AromaQ project, aiming to introduce an innovative approach to enhancing the nutritional value and prolonging the post-harvest storage of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) in Cyprus.
This initiative will incorporate advanced technologies, eco-friendly natural disinfectants, and superior drying methods to produce high-quality value-added products.
The project's core objectives are threefold:
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To foster the cultivation of new plants while reducing unsustainable harvesting from natural habitats.
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To ascertain the best cultivation practices that yield high-nutritional-value products for chosen species.
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To pioneer methods for the effective preservation of Cypriot MAP, ensuring longer storage durations and maintaining optimal product quality.
Furthermore, the project will debut strategies focused on "bioaccumulation" in Cyprus's medicinal plants, driving the production of high-value commodities. A significant milestone will be the first-time introduction in Cyprus of essential oils as a preservation medium for fresh products.
The overarching vision of Opti-AromaQ is not only to showcase and educate but also to facilitate collaboration and mobility among researchers and professionals in the medicinal plants domain. The initiative seeks to galvanize stakeholders towards the formulation of a cohesive MAP policy.
Committed to ecological innovation, the project promises applied research, leveraging state-of-the-art methodologies and technology, particularly in the realms of medicinal plant production and packaging in Cyprus.
This strategic approach promises to nurture new expertise among the project team and foster a resilient economic environment in Cyprus.
Collaborating on this venture are notable entities like the European University of Cyprus, M.CH.GARDENS LTD, and the Development Company of Limassol. International research collaborators include Greece's National & Kapodistrian University of Athens and "DEMOCRITUS", as well as Serbia's University of Belgrade.
