From South to North: Comparative Microbiomes of export Produce and Indigenous Foods

Cooperating countries: South Africa and Austria

Coordinating institution: University of Pretoria, Prof. Lise Korsten, lise.korsten@up.ac.za

Partner institution: Graz University of Technology

Project duration: 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2024

Abstract:

Food security is defined by all members of a society always having access to nutritious and safe food for an active, healthy lifestyle. As such, community health is a large component of food security and focuses on the maintenance, protection, and improvement of a community´s health status. Some of the key drivers within healthy community ecosystems include ensuring that the available (produced or purchased) food is nutritious and does not pose a health risk to the consumer. To determine this, it is necessary to assess if safe food systems can be assured at a community-based level through exposure assessment, intervention, education, and awareness. By understanding the link between community health and an inclusive One Health approach, adaptive solutions can be secured.

The focus of this study will initially be on the phytomicrobiomes i.e. plant microbial community of indigenous natural fruit (marula, baobab and wild berries), vegetables (marogo, maringa and wild herbs). The comparative difference between the commercial and natural products will be studied and the impact of production systems on the unique microbiomes explored. This will be done with the view of exploring the potential of biodynamics to provide a crop protective solution for safe food production, to move away from pesticides and shift towards waste and loss reduction.