Biotechnologists and researchers from CONICET at IBR have highlighted the importance of rosemary as a great protector for crops against pathogen attacks. Research led by María Rosa Marano has shown that carnolic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid, present in rosemary, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
This group of researchers has joined an international consortium, funded by the European Union, with the aim of developing a commercial product based on a synergistic mix of natural compounds. The alliance, named CropPrime, seeks to create non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternatives to protect crops from different types of stress, be it biotic or abiotic.
Lucila García, a researcher at CONICET, emphasized the importance of seeking alternatives to the use of agrochemicals, developing new formulations from natural extracts to protect crops. CropPrime includes laboratories from several European and African countries, as well as the company BioAtlantis from Ireland, which is known for its biotechnological developments and its aqueous rosemary extract, used in the cosmetics industry as an antioxidant.
