The agro-export boom is threatening the sustainability of water resources in many regions around the world. This is the case of the Ica valley in Peru, where in the last decades traditional agriculture has been replaced by big agricultural businesses to meet the growing international food demand. This has led to increasing land concentration by large exporting farms jointly with an increase in groundwater exploitation for irrigation. In this paper, we analyze the effect of land concentration, exporting crop specialization and irrigation intensity on groundwater sustainability using an econometric approach. Our findings highlighted an inverse relation between groundwater sustainability in terms of water withdrawal in the Ica Valley and the intensity of irrigation (drip technology), commodity specialization and concentration of large farms. More research is needed to fully understand the impacts of this very important economic activity on Peru’s natural resources, to ensure its sustainability in the long term. | This research was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) through the NEXT-AG project (Nexus thinking for sustainable agricultural development in Andean countries) (NE/R015759/1).

The public’s growing interest in epigenetics, particularly its applications in human health, underscores the significance of epigenetic mechanisms in regulating gene activity and promoting phenotypic diversity without altering DNA sequences. Within the framework of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis, epigenetics is regarded as a non-genetic contributor to evolution. The EPIBOOST project, “BOOSting excellence in environmental EPIgenetics,” investigates epigenetic changes induced by contaminants in aquatic organisms and aims to enhance public understanding of epigenetics through science outreach videos. A multidisciplinary team comprising Biology, Education, and Design researchers produced the video “What is Epigenetics?” using a design-based research methodology and a design thinking approach. This process involved storyboard design, audio recording, image production, video editing, testing, refinement, and public dissemination. The interactive development of the storyboard and script aimed to efficiently communicate the significance of epigenetics, fostering public understanding of this emerging research area through an effective science communication strategy. This paper focuses on the development process for the first video, which aims to promote public awareness of epigenetics using the AEIOU framework (Awareness, Enjoyment, Interest, Opinions, and Understanding) to elucidate epigenetic concepts such as DNA methylation, gene expression, and phenotype, and their integration in environmental assessment frameworks. | published

Foraminifera are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that are abundant in marine environments. The majority of foraminiferal diversity is found in benthic habitats, and they are known to be present in even highly polluted areas, which has led to a growing interest in their use in biomonitoring. However, there is still a limited understanding of mechanisms underlying benthic foraminifera response to contaminants. In this study, the effects of exposure to two common contaminants in temperate fjords, the antibiotic ciprofloxacin and trace metal copper (Cu), were assessed in one species of benthic foraminifera. This was done through a transcriptome analysis to better understand the genetic response of foraminifera to the contaminants of interest. This study also assessed the change in gene expression to identify potential biomarkers for exposure to the contaminants, which would potentially increase the value of foraminifera as a bioindicator. To identify genes that can be used as potential biomarkers, it is essential that the contaminants exert a measurable effect on the foraminifera. In this study, the effect was measured through a differential gene expression (DE) analysis. Since there are only a few studies on gene expression in benthic foraminifera, the aim of this study was to establish a protocol for mRNA isolation and mRNA sequencing. This was done to secure RNA-seq data of high enough quality to create a transcriptome so a DE analysis could be conducted. If and when differentially expressed genes were detected, a prediction of the function of these genes was made to uncover their potential as biomarkers. This study provides a protocol that produced mRNA of sufficient quality for a de novo transcriptome assembly. Foraminifera exposed to ciprofloxacin and Cu showed significantly differentially expressed genes compared to the control. The function of the differently expressed genes was predicted for a couple of the genes. The function of some of these genes was consistent with studies on other organisms exposed to ciprofloxacin or Cu. More data are needed to support the genes expressed in this study and to support if these genes has a potential as biomarkers. To my knowledge this is the first study to assess the effect on the transcriptome of foraminifera due to the exposure of contaminants.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are of growing concern due to their widespread presence and persistence in the environment, including occupational settings. These particles could potentially cause harmful health effects in humans who are exposed to through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact. Plastics may also contain toxic additives and have been shown to adsorb environmental contaminants through hydrophobic interactions, possibly enabling MNPs to act as vectors for pathogens when entering the human body. The focus of this master's thesis has been to investigate the impact of microplastics (MPs) and endotoxin contaminants on two cell types that are part of the human lung, namely alveolar type II cells (A549) and neutrophil-like cells (dHL-60). Cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory responses were assessed after exposing these cells to MPs in the form of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PET contaminated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from the outer membrane of Escherichia coli 055:B5. In detail, this included investigating toll-like receptor (TLR) activation, specifically TLR2 and TLR4, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, and IL-1β) by gene expression and protein secretion, and changes in cell viability. The findings indicate increased cell viability after exposing A549 and dHL-60 cells to either PET-MPs or LPS-contaminated PET-MPs. The effect was concentration-dependent, with the two cell lines responding differently. In dHL-60 cells, LPS-contaminated PET-MPs induced oxidative burst and expression and release of IL-6 and IL-8 compared to PET-MP, although not beyond what was observed after exposure to LPS alone. In A549 cells, LPS-contaminated PET-MPs did not affect the expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The PETMPs used in this study exhibited pro-inflammatory effects, likely caused by the presence of microbial contaminants. Like the LPS-contaminated PET-MPs, they also were found to activate only TLR2, while LPS-contaminated PET-MP activate TLR2 and TLR4. The findings support the hypothesis that contaminated PET-MPs can affect cell viability and cellular immune responses and underline the complex interactions between MPs and biological systems. Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of MPs on human health.

Este relatório final de estágio tem como tema “Medicina, Cirurgia e Maneio de Novos Animais de Companhia” e constitui o resumo das atividades realizadas nos estágios concretizados no âmbito do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária ao longo de um período aproximado de 5 meses. A área da Medicina Veterinária de animais exóticos tem vindo a evoluir recentemente uma vez que cada vez mais o ser humano procura novas alternativas aos animais domésticos convencionais, principalmente nas áreas mais urbanas. Esta demanda crescente por novas práticas veterinárias combinada com os novos avanços tecnológicos verificados, permitiu a criação e desenvolvimento dessa área mais específica da Medicina Veterinária. O conteúdo deste trabalho inclui, para além da enumeração das atividades executadas ao longo dos estágios e respetiva casuística, uma breve revisão bibliográfica associada a cada caso clínico descrito, referentes a espécies de diferentes classes taxonómicas: o tratamento de adenocarcinoma hepático em cão-da-pradaria-de-cauda-preta (Cynomys ludovicianus); a resolução cirúrgica por apicectomia de um caso de remanescência de coroas dentárias de reserva em coelho (Oryctolagus cuniculus); a resolução cirúrgica de um prolapso cloacal em serpente (Morelia viridis); a cirurgia para remoção de salpinge em galinha (Gallus gallus domesticus); o tratamento médico e cirúrgico de sarcoma vesical em porquinho-da-Índia (Cavia porcellus) e o seguimento médico de um dragão-barbudo (Pogona vitticeps) com insuficiência cardíaca congestiva. | This internship report with the theme “Medicine, Surgery and Husbandry of Exotic Animals” consists in the summary of the activities carried out during the internship, which is part of the Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, that had the duration of approximately 5 months. The Veterinary Medicine of exotic animals is an area that has been evolving recently which is explained by the fact that the human being is searching every day for new alternatives to the usual pet, mainly in urban areas. This growing demand for new techniques within the area of Veterinary Medicine, combined with new technological advances, allowed the creation and development of this specific field. The content of this paper includes, in addition to the list of activities developed over the course of the internships and respective study, a brief literature review associated with each clinical case described, which refer to species of different taxonomic classes: the treatment of liver adenocarcinoma in black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus); the surgical resolution by apicectomy of a case of remnants of reserve dental crowns in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); the surgical resolution of a prolapse of cloaca in snake (Morelia viridis); the surgery for removal of the salpinx in poultry chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus); medical and surgical treatment of bladder sarcoma in guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) and medical follow-up of bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with congestive heart failure.

Organic production and domestic origin of food serve for consumers as extrinsic cues for food safety and food quality dimensions. With consumers' growing interest in food quality and their increasing concern regarding food safety organic and domestic origin labeling has gained in relevance for businesses and policy makers as well as in research. Accordingly, numerous studies have investigated the effects of organic labeling (OL) and domestic origin labeling (DOL), arriving at heterogeneous results. This leads to the question whether there are any systematic patterns that can explain the difference in the magnitude and in some cases even the sign of willingness to pay (WTP) estimates for OL and DOL. The objective of this research is twofold. First, by conducting two meta-regression analyses (MRA) the thesis identifies the main determinants that drive consumers' WTP a premium for OL and DOL as derived from previous literature. Second, for Taiwan—a newly industrialized country—three empirical field studies are conducted investigating the role of trust and attitude as well as the impact of information on consumers' choice of products differentiated by OL and DOL. The studies use red sweet pepper as study object and make use of Discrete Choice Experiments (DCE) (chapters 3, 4 and 5), Best Worst Scaling (BWS) (chapter 5) as well as Propensity Score Matching (chapter 4).<br /> After a brief introduction (chapter 1), two MRA analyses are conducted (chapter 2), one in which the results of 74 WTP estimates for OL and another in which the findings of 31 WTP estimates related to DOL are considered. The research finds evidence for the presence of publication bias in both MRAs. In addition, the results reveal systematic variation of WTP estimates across underlying study characteristics such as the location the survey was conducted as well as the elicitation methods used to derive WTP estimates. <br /> Chapter 3 examines the relative importance of product and process information—country of origin, production methods, chemical residue testing (CRT) and price—for Taiwanese consumers' product choice based on a convenience sample of 290 valid responses. Results show that respondents focus mostly on country of origin labeling, followed by price. Furthermore, interaction between attributes matter and consumers' preference for attribute levels depend on socioeconomic characteristics. <br /> Given the increasing relevance of organic imported products on the Taiwanese market the impact of an equality of organic standards information treatment on Taiwanese consumers' food preference and purchasing behavior is examined in chapter 4 based on a valid sample of 800 respondents. Results indicate that information on the equality of organic standards significantly increased the purchase likelihood for Taiwan-origin organic products, while the opposite effect is detected for Chinese organic products. In addition, an increase in the utility of the opt-out option in the information treatment group was revealed. Provision of information thus failed to assure consumers about the equality of organic standards. <br /> Making use of data obtained from the same survey as in chapter 4 chapter 5 combines two elicitation techniques–DCE and BWS–to provide information about the role of consumers' attitude and trust in influencing food choice decisions. Results of linking the DCE with the BWS attitudinal dimensions reveals that consumers' attitude and trust significantly explain consumers' membership to a specific consumer segment and therefore, is of importance for understanding food purchase behavior. <br /> The main results, limitations and conclusions are summarized in chapter 6. The research presented in this thesis adds to the literature twofold. From a content point of view the studies conducted in the framework of this thesis provide a better understanding of consumer food choice behavior, specifically with regard to OL and DOL. Some of the insights are obtained by the combination of methods that so far have not been applied jointly in the literature. Therefore, the thesis also adds to the literature from a methodological point of view.

Este relatório de estágio explora o processo de transição de um Centro Hospitalar para uma Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS), com um foco especial na forma como o Gabinete de Engenharia Clínica (GEC) administrou e manteve os dispositivos médicos durante este período. O objetivo maior deste trabalho, que foi realizado na Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Aveiro (ULSRA), foi avaliar e melhorar os procedimentos de gestão do GEC durante a transição. Começando com uma revisão do atual Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) e das mudanças para as ULS, o objetivo é destacar os benefícios e os problemas da transição. O estudo de caso é a Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Aveiro (ULSRA), que fornece um contexto prático para a implementação e operação de um GEC dentro de uma ULS. A análise SWOT é usada para determinar os pontos fortes, fraquezas, oportunidades e ameaças do GEC. Também é usada uma análise PESTEL-SWOT integrada para avaliar os elementos políticos, económicos, sociais, tecnológicos, ambientais e legais que impactam o funcionamento do GEC. Foram realizados cálculos minuciosos para justificar a necessidade de mais recursos humanos para suportar o crescente número e complexidade dos dispositivos médicos. Os principais resultados mostram que a criação de uma ULS pode melhorar significativamente a integração e a eficiência dos cuidados de saúde primários e secundários. Para garantir a manutenção segura e eficaz de dispositivos médicos, a engenharia clínica requer a implementação de um plano de melhoria estratégico. A necessidade de responder à complexidade tecnológica e garantir a conformidade regulamentar justifica o aumento de recursos humanos no GEC. As conclusões mostram que a transição para a ULSRA requer uma abordagem integrada e planeada, com ênfase na formação e capacitação contínuas dos profissionais. A experiência da ULSRA pode servir como exemplo para outras regiões, promovendo um sistema de saúde mais eficiente e centrado no utente. | This internship report explores the transition process from a Hospital Centre to a Local Health Unit (ULS), with a special focus on how the Clinical Engineering Office (GEC) managed and maintained medical devices during this period. The main aim of this work, which was carried out at the Aveiro Region Local Health Unit (ULSRA), was to evaluate and improve the GEC's management procedures during the transition. Starting with a review of the current National Health Service (SNS) and the changes to the ULS, the aim is to highlight the benefits and problems of the transition. The case study is the Unidade Local de Saúde da Região de Aveiro (ULSRA), which provides a practical context for the implementation and operation of a GEC within a ULS. A SWOT analysis is used to determine the GEC's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. An integrated PESTEL-SWOT analysis is also used to assess the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal elements that impact the operation of the GEC. Thorough calculations were carried out to justify the need for more human resources to support the growing number and complexity of medical devices. The main results show that the creation of a ULS can significantly improve the integration and efficiency of primary and secondary healthcare. To ensure the safe and effective maintenance of medical devices, clinical engineering requires the implementation of a strategic improvement plan. The need to respond to technological complexity and ensure regulatory compliance justifies the increase in human resources in GEC. The conclusions show that the transition to ULSRA requires an integrated and planned approach, with an emphasis on continuous training and capacity building for professionals. The ULSRA experience can serve as an example for other regions, promoting a more efficient and user-centred health system. | Mestrado em Engenharia Biomédica

Terveydelle haitallisen akryyliamidin muodostuminen kahviin ja muihin elintarvikkeisiin on ollut pidempään huolen ja seurannan kohteena. Akryyliamidipitoisuudet ovat suurimpia vaaleapaahtoisessa kahvissa. Raakakahvin kemiallisen koostumuksen vaikutuksesta paahdossa muodostuvaan akryyliamidiin on enenevässä määrin tutkimusta, mutta tulokset ovat osittain ristiriitaisia. Maillardin reaktiossa kahvissa tärkeimmät akryyliamidin lähtöaineet ovat vapaa asparagiini sekä sakkaroosi, joka osittain hajoaa glukoosiksi ja fruktoosiksi paahdon aikana. Kahvin laji, viljely- ja prosessointimenetelmät vaikuttavat näiden yhdisteiden määriin. Paahdon lopussa toisinaan käytettävä jäähdytysvesi puolestaan vaikuttaa kahvin paahtumisen pysähtymiseen ja kahvin loppukosteuspitoisuuteen. Tässä tutkielmassa tutkittiin eri raakakahvien vapaiden aminohappojen, sokerien (sakkaroosi, glukoosi ja fruktoosi) ja kokonaisaminohappokoostumuksen merkitystä akryyliamidin muodostumiseen, kun kahvit paahdettiin samanpituisella paahtoprofiililla samaan vaaleaan paahtoväriin pienoispaahtimella. Lisäksi tutkittiin teollisessa paahdossa käytetyn jäähdytysveden vaikutusta akryyliamidin muodostumiseen. Näytteissä oli sekä arabica- että robusta-kahvilajeja ja arabica-kahveja kuiva- ja märkäprosessoituina. Yksi raakakahvinäyte käsiteltiin asparaginaasientsyymillä. Hypoteesina oli, että robusta-kahveissa olisi vähemmän sokereita ja enemmän vapaata asparagiinia kuin arabica-kahveissa ja robustaan muodostuisi suurempi pitoisuus akryyliamidia. Sokerit ja aminohapot määritettiin raakakahveista nestekromatografisilla (UHPLC-ELSD/PDA) menetelmillä. Akryyliamidi analysoitiin ulkopuolisessa laboratoriossa. Vapaan asparagiinin ja muodostuvan akryyliamidin välillä osoitettiin positiivinen korrelaatio sekä analysoiduissa arabica- että robusta-kahveissa. Robusta-kahvien sakkaroosipitoisuudet olivat arabica-kahveja pienempiä ja asparagiinipitoisuudet keskimäärin suurempia kuin arabica-kahveissa. Kuitenkaan akryyliamidipitoisuuksissa kahvilajien välillä ei ollut eroa. Myöskään jäähdytysveden määrällä ei havaittu yhteyttä akryyliamidipitoisuuteen teknologisesti merkittävällä säätöalueella. Lisätutkimusta tarvittaisiin raakakahvin asparagiinipitoisuuteen vaikuttavista tekijöistä. | Acrylamide formation in coffee and other fried foods has been a long-standing concern due to its harmful effects on health. Acrylamide levels are highest in lightly roasted coffee. The study on the impact of the chemical composition of green coffee on acrylamide formation during roasting is growing but results are partly contradictory. In coffee main precursors for acrylamide formation in Maillard reaction are free asparagine and sucrose which degrades partly to glucose and fructose during roasting. The coffee species, cultivation and processing methods influence these components. The quenching water affects both the termination of the roasting process and the moisture content of the final product. This thesis investigated the role of free and total amino acids and sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose) in acrylamide formation. Samples were roasted to the same light color using the same profile with the same duration in a micro roaster. Additionally, the effect of quenching water in industrial roast was studied. Samples included both Arabica and Robusta coffee species and both dry and wet processed Arabica samples. One coffee sample was treated with asparginase enzyme. It was hypothesized that sucrose content would be lower and asparagine content higher in Robusta coffees than in Arabica coffees and that acrylamide content would be higher in Robusta than in Arabica coffees. Both sugars and amino acids were analyzed with liquid chromatographic methods (UHPLC-ELSD/PDA). Acrylamide was analyzed from roasted samples in external laboratory. A positive correlation was shown between free asparagine and the acrylamide formed. Sucrose contents were lower and asparagine contents were higher in Robusta samples than in Arabica samples. However, there was no difference in acrylamide levels between coffee species. The amount of quenching water did not have connection on acrylamide level in the technologically relevant adjustment range. Additional research about factors influencing the asparagine content in green coffee is needed.

Extended Abstract Background: Many efforts have been made to combine the diverse capabilities of different plant species into a unique plant to increase the quantity and quality of the food product. Accordingly, scientists succeeded in producing triticale as a new pathogen by using a cross between wheat (Triticum spp.) and rye (Secale cereale), which aims to increase the ability of wheat, as one of the most important food sources among grains in the world. It was to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as drought stress. Various studies show that this grain has a high potential to be used as a multipurpose product for direct human use or as a fodder product. Therefore, triticale can be considered a potential product with special genetic conditions, whose yield is still far from its potential. According to scientists of breeding science, creating diversity, whether natural or synthetic, in agricultural products and selecting genotypes with the highest yields and stability in different environments are among the main goals of studies in the field of breeding. It is also reported that the stress tolerance of triticale genotypes is usually higher than wheat genotypes, triticale is less affected by stress conditions, and its yield will be higher than wheat. Resistance to drought stress is a complex process that includes a network of plant responses at the physiological and molecular levels that have not yet been properly discovered and understood. However, creating diversity, selecting genotypes, and studying different traits will help scientists in this direction. In the current study, different triticale genotypes produced by domestic scientists were cultivated and tested under different irrigation conditions to consider the possibility of introducing new cultivars resistant to drought stress and changing environmental conditions. In addition, the relationship between morphological and agronomic traits related to seed yield was evaluated in this research using some advanced statistical methods to find possible traits suitable for indirect selection. The amount of different genetic, phenotypic, and environmental indicators was also investigated to examine the effect of the environment and genetics on the traits. Methods: To reflect the effect of water deficit on triticale and the probability of screening some suitable genotypes tolerant to drought stress, a study was carried out on nine triticale genotypes under four irrigation regimes during two years. These genotypes included Senabad, Pag, Juanillo, ET-85-4, ET-92-15, ET-92-18, ET-83-20, ET-85-17, and ET-83-18. In each year, four different irrigation regimes were applied with interruption of irrigation in three stages, including the flowering stage, the seed milky stage, and the seed pulp stage, along with the control condition. In each year, a split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design with three blocks (replication) was used every two years of the experiment (the growing season 2018-2019) in the research station located in the research complex of the Zarghan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Training Center, Fars, Iran. Different traits, including plant height, leaf angle, leaf weight, total dry matter, spike length, spike weight, spike number, grain number, straw yield, harvest index, and grain yield, were measured for all applied genotypes in this study. The data obtained from this experiment were first subjected to the composite analysis of variance, and year variance, environmental variance, genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, and test error variance were estimated based on these calculations. The analysis was performed in SAS-9.4-M6 software using a programming code stored on the GitHub website. Results: The results showed that a lower number of irrigation and earlier withholding of water from the triticale plants can lead to a high decrease in the productivity of triticale genotypes.  Consequently, irrigation treatments and water availability are significant factors in determining the type of breeding programs. Moreover, some genotypes showed a high potential for being considered for releasing cultivars. ET-83-20 and ET-85-04 showed better performance under normal and severe water deficit, respectively, than the other genotypes. Estimation of genotypic features, such as heritability and coefficient of variation, showed a high possibility and potential of producing cultivars with high productivity under either normal or stressed conditions. Conclusion: Overall results indicated that high heritability and the significant association with grain yield for some traits, such as spike weight, spike number, and grain number, suggest that they are suitable traits for indirect screening and selection criteria. In addition, higher variation for triticale is required to find genotypes with the best quality and quantity traits to be released as a new and proper cultivar to be cultivated in environments with changing conditions.

Dissertação de mestrado em Agricultura Biológica, apresentada à Escola Superior Agrária do Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo | A crescente tendência na procura de alimentos biológicos por parte dos consumidores, a nível europeu e nacional e, a atual estratégia “Do prado ao prato - para uma alimentação sustentável”, componente essencial do Pacto Ecológico Europeu para 2021-2027, que tem como meta a implementação de sistemas de produção de alimentos mais saudáveis e com menor impacto ambiental, conduzem a um provável aumento na produção de culturas hortícolas biológicas em Portugal e, consequentemente, a uma maior procura de plântulas de produção biológica. Tendo em conta que não existem viveiros em modo de produção biológico na região Norte de Portugal, surgiu a ideia de desenvolver esta actividade por se vislumbrar uma boa oportunidade de negócio. Assim, o objectivo do presente projecto consistiu na análise técnica e económico-financeira da instalação de um viveiro de plantas hortícolas biológicas na região Norte de Portugal, com qualidade equivalente ou superior em comparação com a concorrência e, ainda, caracterizar o respectivo sector em Portugal. Apesar da escassa literatura sobre o tema, foram efectuadas pesquisas bibliográficas para a caracterização do sector e para os procedimentos técnicos, infraestruturas e equipamentos necessários. Foram consultadas várias empresas das diferentes valências no sentido de se obterem orçamentos para os diferentes itens, o que também contribuiu para aumentar os conhecimentos técnicos sobre a actividade. A análise económica e financeira foi realizada com o apoio da ferramenta de avaliação de projectos da Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação (IAPMEI). O projecto técnico foi desenvolvido numa área total de 650 m2 , com dois túneis de 200 m2 /túnel e um armazém de apoio de 48 m2 , na freguesia de Arcozelo, Vila Nova de Gaia. O início da actividade do viveiro foi previsto para Outubro de 2022 e, no ano cruzeiro em 2028, estimouse a produção de 1 789 680 plantas, de mais de 20 espécies de culturas hortícolas e quatro espécies de plantas aromáticas, e um volume de vendas de 134 138 euros. A figura jurídica asumida para a actividade foi a de Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas, com um investimento inicial de 122 500 euros, proveniente de capitais próprios e a afectação de uma pessoa nos quadros da empresa, o próprio sócio-gerente. A análise económica e financeira, de acordo com os métodos de avaliação utilizados, permitiu concluir que o projecto apresenta rendibilidade empresarial e viabilidade financeira. | The growing trend in the demand for organic food by consumers, at European and national level, and the current strategy "From farm to fork - for sustainable food", an essential component of the European Ecological Pact for 2021-2027, which aims to the implementation of healthier food production systems with less environmental impact, lead to a likely increase in the production of organic vegetable crops in Portugal and, consequently, to a greater demand for organic seedlings. Considering that there are no such organic nurseries in the North of Portugal, the idea of developing this activity seemed to be a good business opportunity. The aim of this project was to assess the economic feasibility of installing a nursery for organic vegetable plants in the North of Portugal, with equivalent or superior quality compared to the competition, and also to characterize the respective sector in Portugal. Despite the scarcity of literature on the subject, bibliographic research was carried out to characterize the sector and to identify the technical procedures and the required infrastructure and equipment. Several companies from different areas were consulted in order to obtain budgets for the different items, which also contributed to increase technical knowledge about the activity. The economic and financial analysis was carried out with the support of the project evaluation tool of the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI). The technical project was developed in a total area of 650 m2 , which includes two tunnels of 200 m2 /tunnel and a support warehouse of 48 m2 in Arcozelo, Vila Nova de Gaia. The nursery is expected to start operating in October 2022 and, in the 2028 cruise year, the production of 1,789,680 plants was estimated, of more than 20 species of vegetable crops and four species of aromatic plants and a sales volume of 134 138 euros. The legal status of the activity will be a Unipessoal Corporation for Quotas, with an initial investment of 122 500 euros, coming from personal capital and the allocation of one person to the company's staff, the managing partner. The economic and financial analysis, according to the evaluation methods used, allowed to conclude that the project presents business profitability and financial viability.