A workshop was held on Thursday 26 May 2022, at the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), to present the results of the IAR research team participating in the project "Carob - The Black Gold of Cyprus - Science meets Industry" (BLACKGOLD). The project is coordinated by the University of Cyprus and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Republic of Cyprus, through the Research and Innovation Foundation.
The workshop, which was attended and addressed by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mr. Costas Kadis, presented a comprehensive range of work, with results concerning the genetic composition and distribution of carob populations in Cyprus, the physico-chemical characterisation of Cypriot varieties and the evaluation of the influence of harvest maturity and growing zone on the quality and nutritional value of carob trees. Innovative methods of standardization of carob quality and innovative products of carob processing were also presented and the importance of the raw material in obtaining carob products of high and stable quality was highlighted.
The proceedings of the workshop were attended by members of the wider agricultural and food processing industry, members of the academic community and representatives of competent governmental bodies. This was followed by a discussion on the importance of the research results as regards the prospects for the development of carob cultivation and the processing of its fruits.
(EK/SX)
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