FitoNiSafe

Nickel (Ni) is a naturally occurring metal found in soil, water, and air. While trace amounts are essential for some organisms, nickel is one of the most common causes of contact and systemic allergic reactions in humans. Traditionally, nickel allergy was associated with skin contact (e.g., jewelry, coins, metal fittings), but growing evidence shows that dietary nickel intake can trigger or exacerbate allergic responses in sensitive individuals.

Biopriming is an emerging innovative biological method for producing nickel-free food, aligning agricultural productivity with human health and environmental sustainability. By harnessing the natural capabilities of P. phytofirmans PsJN and similar plant-associated microbes, farmers can safely produce vegetables with minimal nickel residues, even in moderately contaminated soils—supporting the development of “clean-label,” allergy-safe, and sustainable food systems.

Our solution is based on Biological and Microbial Intervention namely Biopriming with Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN that has proven to:

• Enhance plant antioxidant defense and cell membrane stability under Ni stress.

• Limit Ni mobilisation from roots to shoots and fruits.

• Be compatible with seed treatment or root inoculation.

There are many advantages of Biopriming over Conventional Methods (soil washing, phytoremediation or production of GMO) that are cost and time-inefficient, environmentally invasive or regulatory unviable.

We propose our technology described in product FitoNiSafe as a innovative approach in the allergen free food production. The solution is customizable for small scale farmers and bigger companies oriented to healthy and green food production.