Expanding perennial grass bioenergy crops and influence on allergenic burden: A short review

Željko S. DŽELETOVIĆ; Snežana M. BRAJEVIĆ; Aleksandar S. SIMIĆ; Nikola S. MILANOVIĆ; Violeta T. MANDIĆ

doi:10.15835/nbha53314681

Authors

Željko S. DŽELETOVIĆ University of Belgrade, Institute for Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Department of Radioecology and Agricultural Chemistry, 31b Banatska, Belgrade, 11080 (RS) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9166-7094
Snežana M. BRAJEVIĆ University of Belgrade, Institute for Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Department of Radioecology and Agricultural Chemistry, 31b Banatska, Belgrade, 11080 (RS) https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7964-8235
Aleksandar S. SIMIĆ University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field and Vegetable Growing, 6 Nemanjina, Belgrade, 11080 (RS) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7605-3796
Nikola S. MILANOVIĆ University of Belgrade, Institute for Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), Department of Radioecology and Agricultural Chemistry, 31b Banatska, Belgrade, 11080 (RS) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8566-4102
Violeta T. MANDIĆ Institute for Animal Husbandry, Department of Feed Science, 16 Autoput, Belgrade, 11080 (RS) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7467-0208

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53314681

Keywords:

aeroallergen load, common reed, giant reed, maize, miscanthus, reed canary grass

Abstract

In recent years, second-generation perennial energy grasses have gained attention for their potential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the possible health risks associated with their large-scale cultivation remain insufficiently addressed. This paper presents a narrative literature review of the potential allergenic effects of the main perennial grass energy crops (Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Miscanthus × giganteus, Arundo donax), with Zea mays used as a reference first-generation energy crop. A structured search was conducted in major electronic databases using predefined keywords related to bioenergy crops, pollen dispersal, and allergenicity. The search identified a wide body of literature on crop biology and bioenergy potential, but only a limited number of studies addressed allergenic outcomes directly. The evidence suggests that, except for P. arundinacea, most second-generation grasses are late-flowering species. If cultivated on a larger scale near urban centers, these crops could alter the seasonal pattern of allergenic pollen exposure by shifting the allergic burden toward the late growing season (August-October). While the expected overall impact on the annual pollen load appears modest-potentially reducing the June peak typical for Europe while slightly increasing exposure later in the season-these changes warrant consideration in land-use and public health planning.

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