Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
4 results
Urban mushroom farming for future foods: safety considerations and nutritional benefits
2026Malsha Samarasiri, Wei Ning Chen · Sustainable Microbiology · Global
This review discusses advances in urban mushroom farming, its integration with computer-based technologies, safety considerations, and the potential of mushrooms and mycelium-based foods as future foods. Key safety considerations for urban mushroom farming systems include biological hazards, mycotoxins, heavy metal accumulation, and potential allergenicity. Macrofungal mycelium-based foods may be regarded as novel foods and require evaluation under novel food safety regulations.
Contamination & food safetyFood sovereignty & justiceHealthCommunityDigital agricultureA comprehensive review of urban agriculture in a changing climate: Technological innovations and policy frameworks
2025Peng Gao, Shuochen Xiao, Fara Diva Mustapa · Climate Risk Management · Global
This comprehensive review synthesized research on urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) globally, specifically within the context of its advantages, challenges, and climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, including technological innovations and policy frameworks. The review demonstrated UPA’s ability to advance social interactions, improve urban microclimates, mitigate the urban heat island phenomenon, and provide essential ecosystem services. However, UPA is limited by scarce land resources and soil contamination, along with water management challenges and regulatory frameworks.
Contamination & food safetyClimate changePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureWater Spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir) Hydroponic Kratky System at Various Levels of PbSO4 Contamination
2024Nyayu Khodijah, Ratna Santi, Riwan Kusmiadi, Ivan Rismunandar · Jurnal Agritech · Global
This research investigated the effect of nutrient type and lead (Pb) absorption on water spinach growth in a Kratky hydroponic system over 30 days. Plants were exposed to PbSO4 concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L, with standard hydroponic (ABmix) and alternative nutrients. The study found that nutrient type significantly affected most growth parameters, with ABmix performing better than alternative nutrients. Crucially, no growth disturbance was observed due to PbSO4 contamination, and the combination of Pb concentration and nutrient type did not significantly affect growth or production, except for the number of leaves.
Contamination & food safetyHealthDigital agricultureReviewing chemical and biological risks in urban agriculture: A comprehensive framework for a food safety assessment of city region food systems
2021Enrico Buscaroli, Ilaria Braschi, Chiara Cirillo, Agnès Fargue‐Lelièvre, Giuseppe Carlo Modarelli, Giuseppina Pennisi, Isabella Righini, Kathrin Specht, Francesco Orsini · Food Control · Global
This paper addresses the potential underestimation of food safety risks in urban agriculture (UA), which can lead to regulatory gaps, despite positive perceptions of UA. It reviews literature on UA food safety assessments, identifying indicators and developing a framework for evaluating food safety risks in UA initiatives. The framework uses business surveys and food analyses to calculate a food safety index for UA businesses and city regions.
Contamination & food safetyHealthPolicyDigital agriculture