Overview
MEDACORNET - Rescuing Acorns as a Mediterranean Traditional Superfood is an international research and innovation project dedicated to restoring acorns as a traditional, healthy and sustainable ingredient of the Mediterranean Diet. Coordinated by LandraTech, the project brings together eleven organisations from eight Mediterranean countries, combining expertise in food science, agro-industrial processing, nutrition, biotechnology, agroforestry management, artificial intelligence, market analysis and strategic communication. Its purpose is to generate the knowledge, technologies and market conditions required to establish a Mediterranean acorn value chain.
Context and Identified Problem
Acorns have historically played an important role in the diets of different Mediterranean communities. Despite their nutritional value, naturally gluten-free composition and abundance in areas of Quercus woodland, their current use for human consumption remains limited to a small number of regional applications. The adoption of acorns by the agri-food industry continues to be restricted by variations in composition between species, the tannin content of certain varieties, the limited scale of existing processing technologies, fragmentation across the value chain and cultural and regulatory barriers. Scientific information on the nutritional and functional composition of different acorn species is also fragmented, while links between producers, industry, research organisations, consumers and policymakers remain underdeveloped.
Objectives
MEDACORNET aims to support the integration of acorns into healthier and more sustainable Mediterranean dietary patterns. The project seeks to:
- Map acorn-producing forests, stakeholders and the value chain across the Mediterranean region;
- Recover traditional and historical practices associated with acorn harvesting, preservation, processing and consumption;
- Characterise the nutritional, biochemical and functional properties of acorns from different Quercus species;
- Optimise tannin-reduction processes and the production of food-grade acorn flour and granulate;
- Develop suitable packaging, preservation and storage solutions;
- Create new healthy and naturally gluten-free food products;
- Assess the antioxidant, prebiotic and functional properties of acorns;
- Valorise the by-products generated during processing;
- Develop a digital marketplace connecting the different value-chain stakeholders;
- Assess the socioeconomic and environmental impact of acorn valorisation;
- Prepare guidelines and promotion strategies supporting the adoption of acorns within the Mediterranean Diet.
Technological Development and Innovation
MEDACORNET is organised around several interconnected areas of research and development. The project includes mapping the distribution of the main acorn-producing species across the Mediterranean region using satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies. These data will be complemented by field observations and samples collected in different regions. At industrial level, the consortium will optimise transformation processes for producing flour and granulate from species with different tannin contents. This work includes the development of autonomous cleaning and drying units, the design of an industrial processing line and the assessment of suitable packaging, preservation and storage conditions. The ingredients produced will be characterised in terms of their nutritional, biochemical, morphological, microbiological and functional properties. Digestibility, antioxidant capacity, the technological performance of the flours and product stability during storage will also be assessed. Based on the results, the consortium plans to develop five categories of food products:
- Bread and other bakery products;
- Pasta;
- Pudding;
- Roasted acorn infusion;
- A plant-based alternative to dairy products.
Processing residues and by-products, including tannins, phenolic compounds and oils, will also be studied to identify high-value applications in the food, nutraceutical, cosmetic and biomedical sectors.
Impact and Contribution
MEDACORNET aims to contribute to the creation of a more structured, sustainable and competitive Mediterranean acorn value chain. Its expected impacts include:
- Increasing scientific knowledge of different acorn species;
- Providing safe, nutritious and naturally gluten-free food ingredients;
- Developing new products aligned with current consumer trends;
- Promoting the full valorisation of acorns and their processing by-products;
- Creating new market opportunities for producers, forest owners and companies;
- Strengthening short supply chains and food sovereignty;
- Enhancing the economic value of Quercus woodlands and encouraging their sustainable management;
- Connecting producers, industry, research organisations, consumers and policymakers;
- Promoting acorns as an ingredient of the Mediterranean Diet.
The project also plans to develop business models, awareness campaigns, a digital platform and a strategic document containing dietary guidelines and proposals for integrating acorns into healthy and sustainable Mediterranean diets.
Project Information
Programme: PRIMA - Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area
Action Type: PRIMA Section 2 Call multi-topics 2022
Project Title: MEDACORNET - Rescuing Acorns as a Mediterranean Traditional Superfood
Application Code: 104916
Total Project Investment: €1,251,600.04
Total Consortium Funding: €1,056,137.27
LandraTech Eligible Investment: €30,000.00
Funding Allocated to LandraTech: €15,000.00
LandraTech Funding Rate: 50%
Duration: 42 months
Start Date: 01/07/2023
End Date: 31/12/2026
Coordinator: LandraTech
Consortium: LandraTech, MARE - Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, MORE CoLAB, University of Bari, University of Osijek, University of Beykent, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, University of Tunis El Manar, University of Tlemcen - MECACOMP and GEOAI Analytics
Status: Ongoing
Project Website: MEDACORNET