Multifunctional Bio-protectors for Postharvest Fruits

Code:

1903

Initiative:

Call for Proposals

FONTAGRO Amount:

USD 200.000

Counterpart Amount:

USD 400.000

Execution time

48 Months

Total Amount:

USD 600.000

Participating countries:

Ecuador

Chile

Colombia

Funding source:

FONTAGRO Amount 33% Other agencies 0% Counterpart Amount 67%

Executive Summary

The promotion of healthier lifestyles increases the consumption of fresh products such as tropical and Mediterranean fruits. Its consumption can expose the consumer to a higher risk of diseases since the fruits do not go through processing stages to ensure the effective elimination or inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, postharvest treatments are essential for the conservation and nutritional quality of the fruit, by reducing the microbial load and extending their shelf-life. Unlike traditional means of postharvest protection, fruit biopreservation offers various benefits using active molecules that can constitute a harmless alternative for fruit protection from postharvest damage. Through the experimental application of a new technology, based on multifunctional metabolites (antibacterial/antifungal/antioxidants), the project proposes to contribute to the security of the consumer by providing food that is safe and of good quality. Through the experimental application of a new technology, based on multifunctional metabolites produced by food grade (GRAS) microorganisms and natural substances (also GRAS) which will contribute to the security of the consumer by providing safe and good quality foods. Through the project, ‘Multifuncional Bio-protectors (BMs)’ will become a commercial product to improve the food safety of postharvest fruits through natural conservation from farms to the consumer, and it will be a solution to mitigate potential losses due to pathogen contamination and reduce the risk of diseases transmitted by the consumption of contaminated food. At the end of the project, it is expected that the necessary bases will be made available to the countries of the area to strengthen the quality of these fruits based on a promising technology adjusted to the local environmental offer. The activities will be performed in Ecuador, Colombia and Chile and link the participation of the leading entities in agro-industrial research.

The technological solution

Improve the safety and nutritional quality of capegossebrry and strawberry fruits after harvest through the formulation and application of Multifunctional Bio-protectors. The development of Multifunctional Bio-protectors for fruit protection, proposes a crucial technological innovation that is linked to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, "Good Health and Well-being"," and SDG 12 "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns". From this scope, a sustainable strategy is proposed, which consists of ensuring fruit preservation, decreasing microbial contamination, and increasing nutritional capacity.

The technology is based on the design of a formulation of Multifunctional Bio-protectors containing a set of bacterial metabolites (Ecuador and Colombia) and natural compounds (Chile), for the prevention/protection and reduction of biofilm formation and/or rot formation that will improve the safety and quality of the fruit in post-harvest. The Multifunctional Bio-protectors will be applied in the postharvest phase under experimental conditions (in vitro) and subsequently, one Multifunctional Bio-protector per country will be tested in the storage areas of the producers (warehouses). With the development of this project, the first experimental trials will be carried out with the productive sector (fruit producers), which will allow postulating eventual prototypes to the next level of technological maturity in TRL6 ("Technology Readiness Level 6" or demonstration phase).

For this technological innovation there is a consortium of three institutions of higher education in Ecuador, Colombia and Chile that have the necessary infrastructure and equipment for the development of the project, plus an alliance with producing farms such as Terrafertil Ecuador S.A., Frutimar AG and S.A.T. Frutillas Chanco-Pelluhue in Chile, with the aim of obtaining food security for the consumer, introducing production chains that activate the economy, sustainable production and labor effectiveness in the producing farms. Consequently, the development of the bioproducts market in Ecuador and Colombia, whose economy has not yet transcended the primary-export paradigm, represents a notable economic and technological challenge.

Results

The application of effective Multifunctional Bio-protectors will increase protection against undesired microbial pathogens, improving the quality of the fruit, which will strengthen the production and marketing chains of safe and better-quality products. The metabolites produced by bacteria and natural compounds (chitosan and methyl jasmonate) will be an alternative to chemicals, with the subsequent protection of ecosystems associated with fruit production.

Three prototypes of Multifunctional Bio-protectors with antimicrobial-antifungal-antioxidant capacity will be selected in vitro. Thus, it is intended to reduce bacterial/fungal contamination by up to 50% and increase the antioxidant capacity by up to 10% after the application of Multifunctional Bio-protectors in golden berries and strawberries, contributing to the safety and quality of the product.

The project will develop tools for biological control of pathogens and increase the antioxidant quality of fruits, improving consumer food safety, reducing the risk of food poisoning, and promoting the consumption of fruits with greater beneficial health properties.

At the end of the project, it is expected that the necessary bases will be made available to the countries of the area to strengthen the quality of these fruits based on a promising technology adjusted to the local environmental offer.

Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries: Fruit producers from Ecuador, Colombia and Chile: approximately 2,000 producers. In addition, the partners have a network of collaborators, between distributors and consumers, who will be able to benefit from the new technology.

Indirect beneficiaries: 100,000 fruit consumers, at least two potential agricultural product companies. More than 50,000 academics will benefit from the information generated through scientific publications.

Sustainable Development Goals

Main donors