RES-MAB: The University of León (ULE) and Alto Bernesga sign an agreement to incorporate propolis into meat products.
5 de febrero de 2026
July 23, 2025
The University of León (ULE) and the Alto Bernesga Biosphere Reserve Foundation signed a four-year framework agreement on July 22, strengthening collaboration between academia and the local community within the framework of the RES MAB project. The main objective is to explore the use of propolis, produced locally by beehives in the reserve, as a natural preservative in cured meats, offering an alternative to common additives.
🌿 Flagship Project: Propolis in Cured Meats
Researchers María del Camino García and Eugenia Rendueles from the Institute of Food Science and Technology (ICTAL ULE) will lead an 18-month study in collaboration with local beekeepers, livestock farmers, and meat processing companies. The aim is to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of propolis in products such as chorizo, sausages, and other products, adding flavor, value, and greater sustainability.
This work is part of a key strategic line of the agreement, which seeks to turn Biosphere Reserves into authentic «living laboratories» where scientific knowledge is directly applied to local challenges linked to the WEFE Nexus (Water Energy Food Ecosystems).
🤝 An agreement uniting science and the region
The Rector of the University of León (ULE), Nuria González, emphasized that this agreement demonstrates “how the knowledge generated at the University can and should be transferred to society” and contribute to the sustainable development of the Alto Bernesga region.
From the Foundation, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees stressed that this joint alliance represents “science that connects with tradition and innovation without losing its essence,” aimed at strengthening beekeeping and the meat industry in a sustainable way.
🧪 A commitment to sustainable innovation
The study includes two lines of action:
- Integration of propolis into meat products as a natural preservative.
- Development of sustainable business models that apply a WEFE (Wealth, Energy, and Forests) approach.
To this end, fieldwork with local producers will be combined with pilot laboratory tests at ULE centers, thus reinforcing the link between science and rural reality.
This agreement marks a step forward in knowledge transfer, promotes collaboration between local and university stakeholders, and reinforces everyone’s commitment to a more sustainable future for the Alto Bernesga Biosphere Reserve.
