In vitro culture of plants for the new chain of edible flowers

The crisis that the floriculture sector has had in recent years has led to a re-orientation of many small and medium farms on species suitable for alternative markets while maintaining the same type of production. This process has recently successfully involved aromatic plants and is starting to involve those edible species that are positioned on the food market both in the tradition and in the cuisine of innovation. Edible flowers, in addition to their intrinsic decorative value, have important nutritional characteristics that must be well defined and valued. The Interreg Alcotra ANTEA project was created with the aim of reinforcing the emerging chain of edible flowers through the application of innovation in production and analysis methods and in the assessment of the safety of use, conservation and distribution strategies. The edible flower chain brings with it the added value of being a productive activity that is born linked to organic and sustainable cultivation and is therefore an economic activity that does not affect environmental costs. Furthermore, technological and communication innovations have been applied which guarantee immediacy and visibility between producer and consumer. Dissemination of the results to consumers and restaurateurs are essential for the same purpose too. Indeed, the ensuring food safety will help to expand the range of restaurateurs who will begin to have a constant supply of many flowers with high quality.