RES-MAB: The Alto Bernesga BR presents its work with propolis within the RES-MAB Project in Arkaute (Vitoria-Gasteiz).
25 de septiembre de 2025
The Alto Bernesga Biosphere Reserve team recently participated in the CAP Network Operational Groups Conference, held at the NEIKER Center in Vitoria-Gasteiz, where they had the opportunity to present their work within the framework of the international RES-MAB project, funded by the PRIMA Foundation.
During the meeting, our Project Manager, Verónica del Río, participated in the first day of exchange of experiences among operational groups, which focused on business models for high value-added products in the food chain. In this context, she presented the work that the Reserve is carrying out in collaboration with the Institute of Food Science and Technology (ICTAL) and the University of León, based on the characterization and use of propolis as a natural preservative in the meat industry—a line of research that is generating considerable interest both within and beyond the region.
The project, framed within the RES-MAB action plan, aims to sustainably utilize local resources, diversifying the rural economy and supporting the beekeeping sector by adding value to a high-potential natural product. Propolis, a resinous substance produced by bees, has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that make it a viable alternative to the nitrates and nitrites traditionally used in preserving meat products.
The presentation generated considerable interest among attendees, highlighting the importance of connecting scientific research with the management of rural areas and promoting synergies between biosphere reserves, research centers, and local stakeholders.
