Project description DEENESFRITPL New biocontrol product to keep fruits and vegetables safe Nearly half of global fresh produce is lost in the post-harvest stage due to spoilage, mainly because of fungal contamination. Fungal growth poses a risk to consumers owed to the secretion of mycotoxins, carcinogenic and immunogenic metabolites naturally produced by fungi. Harvested produce has been traditionally protected with chemical-based solutions. However, these products leave residues that are hazardous for consumers and the environment. To address this issue, the EU-funded ANTOFERINE project will develop and bring to market an innovative antifungal solution of natural origin to protect fruits and vegetables in the post-harvest stage. The product is composed of polyphenol extracts, obtained through a solvent-free extraction process that isolates them from vineyard waste. The innovation will significantly reduce food losses and contribute towards a circular economy. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The agro-food sector is facing today crucial challenges. With a global population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, meeting the global demand for food supply would not only require increasing production, but also to prevent food losses. Close to 50% of the global fresh produce, mostly fruits & vegetables, is lost in the post-harvest stage due to spoilage during transport and storage, with 80% caused by fungal contamination. Besides damaging product quality, fungal growth poses a risk to consumers due to secretion of mycotoxins, carcinogenic and immunogenic metabolites from fungi. The cumulative cost of post-harvest losses exceeds €200 billion annually. To prevent these losses, post-harvested produce has been traditionally protected with chemical-based solutions. However, besides the direct risk for applicators, these products also leave residues that are hazardous for consumers and the environment. Trying to find a balance between the prevention of losses and reducing risk for consumers, the EC has set residue allowance limits for synthetic compounds and seeks to replace them with natural alternatives. In response, we at Antofénol present an innovative antifungal solution of natural origin to protect fruits & vegetables in the post-harvest stage. The efficacy of our product relies on its unique composition of polyphenol extracts, obtained through a solvent-free extraction process that isolates them from vineyard waste. Importantly, besides contributing to reduce the huge post-harvest losses that affect the food sector, we would be contributing to the European circular economy by promoting valorization of an abundant agricultural waste. Altogether, the main goal of this project is to finalise the development of our biocontrol product and take our extraction process to the industrial scale. To meet these goals, in Phase 1 we see necessary to conduct a Feasibility Study that help us define the best strategy to overtake key milestones and lead us to market readiness. Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticultureviticulturemedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growingagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growingsocial scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Topic(s) EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 - SME instrument Call for proposal H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator ANTOFENOL Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address 1E ZA LES LANDES DE PENTHIEVRE 22640 Plestan France See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Bretagne Bretagne Côtes-d’Armor Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 71 429,00