2014–2024
Coffee chemistry and safety research program
Long-running research line on caffeine, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, mycotoxins, sensory quality and NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics in Panamanian coffee.
Center for Research in Natural Resources · UNACHI
We research today, we transform tomorrow.
Research center of the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí devoted to biotechnology applied to the rational and sustainable use of the natural resources of western Panama.
"Esporas al viento", photograph by Stephany Reyes — first prize, FotoCiencia 2025, SENACYT.
2006 – 2026
20 years as a research center
What CIRN is
- Founded as a laboratory in
- 1997
- A research center since
- 2006
- Research pillars
- 4
CIRN studies the natural resources of western Panama — its fungal biodiversity, its coffee, its agro-industrial residues and the safety of its food — and turns that knowledge into use for the region that produces them.
To generate knowledge on the use of natural resources through biotechnological research, specialized analysis of raw materials, technical advisory services and technology transfer to producers in the agro-industrial sector.
Research pillars
What we research
Four research pillars, from the chemistry of a coffee bean to the public policy that protects the territory where it grows.
- 01
Specialty Coffee
Quality, chemistry and traceability of Panamanian coffee: NIR spectroscopy, chemometrics, sensory analysis, bioactive compounds and geographic origin.
→ - 02
Mycology & Biotechnology
Edible fungi, Panamanian fungal biodiversity and biotechnological valorization of agro-industrial residues.
→ - 03
Food Safety & Mycotoxins
Mycotoxin detection and dietary exposure assessment in coffee, rice, raw milk and animal feed.
→ - 04
Sustainability & Biodiversity
Sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation in western Panama, with policy-oriented work through the Think Tank UNACHI centre of thought.
→
People
Who does the research
A small team of chemists, biologists and mycologists based in David, Chiriquí.
Aracelly Vega Ríos
Founder & Director · Researcher, National Research System (SNI) I
She founded the laboratory that became CIRN in 1997 and has directed the centre since its institutionalization.
→Javier A. De León Santiago
Researcher · Specialized laboratory analyst (supervisor) · Think Tank team leader
He works on the valorization of natural resources and on the taxonomy and ecology of ascomycete and basidiomycete fungi from the mountainous and rainy tropical zones of western Panama.
→Stephany M. Reyes
Researcher · Specialized laboratory chemical analyst
She is a co-author of the centre's work on coffee, edible mushrooms and mycotoxins.
→Stepfanie Y. Miranda
Team member · Assistant specialized laboratory analyst
She takes part in the natural-resource valorization projects and in studies of edible mushrooms and of mycotoxins in coffee beans, milk and grains for human consumption.
→Jessica Hidalgo
CIRN team member · Think Tank UNACHI
She takes part in the activities and projects of the Think Tank UNACHI centre of thought, run by CIRN, within its work on sustainability in the use of natural resources and biodiversity conservation in western Panama..
→
Projects
Projects
Field and laboratory research carried out by the centre.
- 2014
Determination of Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxins in post-harvest organic coffee in Chiriquí and Ngöbe-Buglé
Project that produced a scientific article and a technical manual.
- 2020
Think Tank UNACHI-CIRNInvestigación científica al servicio de la empresa y la sociedad
Internships, activities and outputs of the UNACHI-CIRN Think Tank.
- 2024
Specialty coffee qualityNIR spectroscopy and chemometrics
Graduate research applying NIR spectroscopy and chemometric tools to the analysis of caffeine, protein and fat in specialty green coffee from Chiriquí.
Publications
Results
Peer-reviewed articles, repository records and theses produced by the centre.
- 2026
Impact of Altitude and Fermentation Temperature on the Quality of Panamanian Geisha Coffee
Aracelly Vega · Stephany M. Reyes · Roberto Quiroz · José M. Gallardo · María E. Ruiz · Pedro Gonzalez Beermann
Published - 2026
Micotoxinas en alimentos avícolas en Latinoamérica: una revisión bibliográfica de estudios publicados entre 2011 y 2023
Giselle Aracelly Gómez Gallardo · Aracelly Vega
Published - 2026
Panamanian Geisha Coffee Exhibits Antioxidant and Vasorelaxant Activities with a Favorable Safety Profile
Kilmara Ábrego-González · Abdy Morales · Hugo A. Sánchez-Martínez · Maricselis Díaz · Aracelly Vega · Juan A. Morán-Pinzón · José Luis López-Pérez · Esther Del Olmo · Estela Guerrero De León
Published - 2026
Precision Agriculture Management System and Traceability Architecture in Specialty Coffee Farms in Chiriquí, Panama
Aracelly Vega · Carlos Alvino Rovetto · et al.
Published
@cirn_unachi
Research in Action
What is happening at the centre right now.
- @cirn_unachi
CIRN at the Central America–European Union Trade and Sustainable Development Board
Dr. Aracelly Vega presented the project "Panama in Action: science, biodiversity and environmental sustainability in coffee-growing production systems" at the meeting convened through MICI's International Trade Negotiations Office.
See the original post ↗ 
@cirn_unachiMICI recognition for CIRN-UNACHI
The Ministry of Trade and Industry recognized CIRN for its participation in the Trade and Sustainable Development Board, under the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union.
See the original post ↗- This entry is a video.@cirn_unachi
Coffee quality traceability in Renacimiento
Joint work by CIRN, IDIAP-Río Sereno, CENICAFÉ of Colombia and local coffee growers to implement coffee quality traceability using advanced analytical techniques.
See the original post ↗
Collaborations
Collaborations
Institutions the centre works with: organisations that fund its projects, research partners, and institutions that host its researchers.
Funding
- SENACYT
- Fundación Natura
- CYTED
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación (SNI-SENACYT)
- ANUIES-CSUCA
- AECID
Research collaboration
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL), CONICET-INTA
- Instituto de Innovación Agropecuaria de Panamá (IDIAP), Estación Experimental de Gualaca
- Sociedad Mexicana de Micología
- Tecno Manglares Forest
- Universidad de Panamá – Revista Tecnociencia
- Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA)
- Centro de Investigaciones Psicofarmacológicas (CIPFAR), Universidad de Panamá
- Universidad de Salamanca – Facultad de Farmacia / Grupo de Investigación en Polifenoles
- PROMECAFE
- Instituto Salvadoreño del Café
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD), Hermosillo
- Instituto de Ecología, A.C. (INECOL), Xalapa
- Instituto de Investigación Agropecuaria de Panamá (IDIAP)
- Centro de Competitividad de la Región Occidental (CECOM-RO)
- Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD)
- Ministerio de Ambiente (MiAMBIENTE)
- Ministerio de Cultura
- Goethe University Frankfurt – Department of Mycology
- Estudio Nuboso
- Asociación de Cafés Especiales de Panamá (SCAP)
- Centro de Investigaciones Farmacognósticas de la Flora Panameña (CIFLORPAN), Universidad de Panamá
Scholarships and mobility
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)
- DAAD
Research networks
- Red ALFA
- BAZDREAM (CYTED)
Support and recognition
- JICA
- Ministerio de Educación (MEDUCA)
