Ecological and Economic Indicators for the Evaluation of Almond (Prunus dulcis L.) Orchard Renewal in Sicily

Abstract

Globally, almond production is experiencing a growing trend thanks to a strong interest in the health, gastronomic, and industrial properties that are linked to the fruits and their derivatives. After a constant and marked decline in the second half of the last century, the Mediterranean Basin is thoroughly reassessing this crop, which provides significant results with a modern orchard management. The opportunity determined by the transition from traditional to modern systems have increased the interest in evaluating the different environmental impacts of the two cultivation models that still coexist today. In this work, through the application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and an economic assessment approach with an in-depth analysis related to the cultivation cycle and the use of resources, the role played by each factor involved in production was determined. Overall, the Greenhouses Gases (GHG) emissions in modern farms are higher (Global Warming Potential (GWP) 0.224 kg CO2 eq.) than those in traditional farms (GWP 0.182 kg CO2 eq.). Regarding the economic assessment, it appears relevant that the modern almond model in the full production phase guarantees significantly higher margins (+84%).The perception of the importance attributed to evaluating economic and environmental aspects by different stakeholders shows relevant differences in the approach coming from growers, dealers, and governmental institutions allows the investigators to positively underline the current innovation in almond orchard systems considering the balance between fruit production and the conservation of environmental resources.

Recycling of Almond By-Products for Intestinal Inflammation: Improvement of Physical-Chemical, Technological and Biological Characteristics of a Dried Almond Skins Extract

“…To better use these matrices, it would be appropriate to produce a formulated edible extract in order to improve its physicochemical and technological characteristics (solubility, palatability, manageability, stability) and to make it an ideal candidate for the production of health products with potential nutraceutical activity. This could make it possible to further enhance the value of by-products, maintaining a strong relationship with Mediterranean cultivars, which have great outcomes in terms of product healthiness [ 7 ]. To achieve this goal, we developed an acetonic almond skins extract (ASE) complex (CD-ASE), starting from a shell co-product of the Sicilian almond industry, and beta-cyclodextrin (CD), to increase the ASE stability, solubility, dissolution rate and biological activity.…”

Revalorization of Almond By-Products for the Design of Novel Functional Foods: An Updated Review

“…Given the fact that the bioactive compounds from almond and its by-products are highly influenced by environmental conditions, rational approaches should be developed to increase the biosynthesis of these compounds. With the aim of promoting an environmental-friendly stimulation of bioactive compounds production, different authors have already revealed that irrigation regime plays a dual role on almond production, since water constitutes the main resource employed during almond production, accounting for the 45.8% of the environmental impact associated with this procedure [3]: on one hand, sustained deficit irrigation constitutes a paramount strategy to ensure a proper water management in wide areas involved in almond production, as it the case of semi-arid Mediterranean regions [117]; on the other hand, such limited water regime may drive to an improvement of physical and sensory parameters of almond fruits, as well as increasing the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds (especially naringenin 7-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside), as already reported for AHs, which exhibited an increase in the irrigation-mediated production of phenolic compounds, and ASKs, mostly influenced by the agro-climatic conditions [20]. As a result, water management has been revealed as a critical factor related to the sustainability of almond production, with a higher significance in arid regions, which represent the most prevalent production areas worldwide.…”

“…Among the countless almond varieties and cultivars, the Mission, Nonpareil, and California contribute up to 90% of the current worldwide production [2]. The data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicates that over 3 million tons of almond fruits are yearly produced throughout an area of over 2 million ha, being USA (78%), specifically California, Australia (8%), and Spain (6%) the largest producers [3]. Besides fruits, almond production involves the generation of several by-products that are normally discarded, accounting 0.8-1.7 million tons for shells and more than 6 million tons for almond hulls [4,5].…”

Post-harvest Industrial Processes of Almond (Prunus dulcis L. Mill) in Sicily Influence the Nutraceutical Properties of By-Products at Harvest and During Storage

“…In this context, a steady growth of preference for almonds from Italy has been observed (2). There are many and different causes that have led to this revaluation; among them certainly the recent contribution of the research in terms of agronomic advances, the reduction of the production area in the USA and the evolution of international markets and consumption on the domestic market (3). In Italy, a country with a strong vocation for almond cultivation, a large part of the total production can be attributed to Sicily.…”