Development of Tahiti acid lime ethylene inhibitors as an alternative to the use of 1-methylcyclopropene

• Grant number: 19/16412-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: October 01, 2020 - June 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Nazaré
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Nazaré
• Host Company: Nazaré & Petrônio Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Experimental em Ciências Físicas e Naturais Ltda
• CNAE: Atividades de pós-colheita
• City: Araraquara
• Associated researchers: Marcia Perez dos Santos Cabrera
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/14984-6 - Development of Tahiti acid lime ethylene inhibitors as an alternative to the use of 1-methylcyclopropene, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The production and export of 'Tahiti' (Citrus latifolia Tanaka) acid lime in Brazil are constantly growing, generating relevant revenues for our country's economy. Among the buying countries are the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, which seek high-quality fruits, making the export market challenges. Fruit displacement logistics is an obstacle to commercialization efficiency due to the delayed loading of ports, followed by low capacity and slow transportation between Brazil and the buyer country. Yellowing of the peel and the reduction of acid lime turgence occurs during transportation reducing consumer acceptance, causing partial or total loss of fruits and causing significant financial losses. As a result, the search for ethylene inhibitor molecules that function as a physical oxygen barrier has been mobilizing the scientific community and large companies in the agrochemical sector. Currently, there are few efficient alternatives to inhibit ethylene, with 1-methyl cyclopropane (1-MCP, SmartFresh ") being one of the products licensed for this purpose. Chitosan, a biodegradable natural polymer with low cytotoxicity, has requirements to compose a new product by conjugation or mixing with other ripening inhibitor molecules, thus becoming in direct competition with SmartFresh " in this market, with additional relative contributions. to its fungicidal action. Given the market potential of ethylene inhibitors, this project aims to develop ripening inhibitors by coupling a potent ethylene inhibitor, salicylic acid to chitosan. The new compound is expected to have higher efficiency than SmartFresh ", combined with preservation of the physiological integrity of the 'Tahiti' acid lime and low cytotoxicity, and also taking advantage of the potential of chitosan as an edible coating. (AU)