In a world where sustainability and food security are global priorities, the bioaccumulation of cadmium in crops poses a significant threat to both human health and ecosystems. This challenge is especially critical in cocoa production in Latin America, where the concentration of cadmium in cocoa beans jeopardizes both product exports and consumer health. In response to this issue, a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Argentina, Ecuador, and Spain has developed an innovative bioprocess that could transform the cocoa agricultural landscape in the region.
The project, "Bioprocess for reducing the solubility of rhizospheric cadmium," was recently presented by Dr. Adalguisa Scotti, director of the Bioenvironmental Laboratory at the San Rafael Regional Faculty of the National Technological University (UTN) in Mendoza, Argentina, during the 19th Annual Technical Follow-up Workshop of FONTAGRO. This virtual event brought together experts from across Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss the latest advances in agriculture in the face of climate change and artificial intelligence.
The cadmium challenge in cocoa
Cadmium, a heavy metal that accumulates in soils, has been identified as a major threat to cocoa crops, especially in Latin America, where fine flavor cocoa production is a crucial economic resource. Since 2019, the European Union has set a maximum limit of 0.8 mg/kg of cadmium in cocoa beans, forcing producers to seek solutions to comply with these regulations without compromising their production capacity.
In response to this challenge, a research team led by Dr. M.L. Izaguirre of the Technical University of Manabí has developed a consortium of native fungi capable of reducing cadmium solubility in the cocoa rhizosphere. This biotechnological approach is not only innovative but also promotes sustainability by decreasing the entry of cadmium into plants, thereby reducing its accumulation in the beans.
During her presentation, Dr. Scotti highlighted that the bioprocess has been successfully tested in the laboratory, bioreactors, and refining modules. The team is now in the final scaling-up phase, where the effectiveness of this method will be tested in greenhouses and field crops in Ecuador and Venezuela. This advancement not only has the potential to improve the quality of exported cocoa but could also be applied to other crops affected by cadmium contamination, such as tomatoes.
Thanks to the support of FONTAGRO, this project has progressed from basic research to field testing, involving farmers and various stakeholders in the cocoa value chain.
In this regard, Dr. Scotti emphasized the importance of collaboration between scientists, farmers, and cocoa collection companies in both Ecuador and Venezuela to ensure that this technology can be effectively and beneficially implemented for all involved.
Towards sustainable agriculture
The potential impact of this bioprocess is significant, as it not only addresses a critical environmental issue but also offers a solution that can be adapted and applied in different agricultural contexts. The possibility of transferring this technology to other crops and regions underscores the value of scientific innovation in the pursuit of sustainable and safe agriculture.
The "Bioprocess for reducing the solubility of rhizospheric cadmium" project is a clear example of how science and technology can converge to offer practical solutions to today's challenges. With continued support from FONTAGRO and international collaboration, this breakthrough promises to have a lasting impact on agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.
