Overview:
A yet2 client is seeking natural/bio-based post-harvest protectants and innovative technologies to extend shelf-life and reduce waste of fresh produce with positive impact on decay, chilling injuries as well as physiological benefits for fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Background:
The agricultural and food industry is moving towards more sustainable solutions to daily challenges, particularly those that combat food waste. Produce is often stored for periods of time which can lead to decay caused by pathogenic sources, particularly fungi. Storage is often done at cold temperatures which can also lead to cold injuries. Therefore, alternative solutions are required to minimize crop losses at the postharvest stage.
Constraints:
Products and technologies should be:
- Derived from natural sources or related – must not contain living organisms or be synthetic
- Applied post-harvest
- Non-phytotoxic to target produce
- Scalable
Possible solution areas include but are not limited to:
- Extracts and compounds derived from plants or algae
- Metabolites
- Peptides
- Microorganisms
- Food industry by-products
- Natural oils
- Volatiles
- Active packaging
- Innovative technologies and/or services able to reduce waste and to extend shelf-life
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Regulatory
- Technical Readiness Level should be high. The product or the technology should be ready or maximum 2 to 3 years to be ready.
- Technologies could be regulated under PPPR (Plan Protection Product Regulation), Basic Substance Regulation, Active Packaging Regulation, Processing Aid Regulation or not regulated at all. If not regulated, the technology should be patented or should have a high level of protection (high barrier to entry).
Areas that are out of scope:
- Edible coatings
- RNAi
- Chitosan
- Ethylene absorbers
- Synthetic chemicals
Desired outcome of the solution:
Identification of potential technologies for production partnership, knowledge transfer/licensing or distribution.
Related TechNeeds:
Seeking: Bio-based alternatives to post-harvest fungicides
Seeking: Bird repellents for crops
Seeking: Novel microalgae strains, extracts, and byproducts for agriculture
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