Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) from the Environmental and Social Scope of the Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) Production Chain in Ecuador (Phase 2)

This project is part of a doctoral thesis funded by the Salesian Polytechnic University, focusing on the Social and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the Quinoa productive chain in Ecuador, complementing a broader research project on LCA techniques for biomass. The fundamental purpose is to quantify and analyze the environmental and social impacts derived from quinoa cultivation in Ecuador to generate knowledge that allows for improving the living conditions of directly and indirectly related communities. The methodology was structured in several phases, starting with systematic sampling of crops, soil, and water, followed by standardized laboratory analyses (AOAC, EPA) to determine physicochemical and bromatological parameters (proteins, starch, vitamins, minerals). Subsequently, the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) was compiled using surveys and consumption measurements, aligned with the guidelines of the United Nations Environment Programme and ISO 14044 standards for the environmental dimension. Finally, environmental and social impact indicators were estimated using specialized software such as SimaPro, and the results were contrasted through statistical analysis to draw robust conclusions about the sustainability of the production chain.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>The main objective of this research is to conduct a Social and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) productive chain in Ecuador. This is done as a contribution to understanding the environmental and social impacts associated with cultivation, aiming to propose improvements that benefit the quality of life of the involved communities.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Agroecology, environment and territory