Development of a nanoformulation with assets from brazilian biodiversity to control phytopathogens in fruit culture

• Grant number: 22/02286-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Erika Mattos Stein
• Grantee: Erika Mattos Stein
• Company: Prospecta - Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Bioinsumos Ltda
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais ; Atividades profissionais, científicas e técnicas não especificadas anteriormente
• City: São Paulo
• Associated research grant(s): 24/07201-6 - DEVELOPMENT OF A NANOFORMULATION WITH ASSETS FROM BRAZILIAN BIODIVERSITY TO CONTROL PHYTOPATHOGENS IN FRUIT CULTURE, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/08598-4 - Development of nanoformulation with essential oil of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae) to control papaya (Carica papaya L.) anthracnose, BP.TT; 23/05141-3 - Development of a nanoformulation with assets from Brazilian biodiversity to control phytopathogens in fruit culture, BP.PIPE; 23/05146-5 - Potential of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae) essential oil in the preventive and curative control of papaya anthracnose (Carica papaya L.), BP.TT

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most cultivated and consumed fruit in the world, producing a fruit of great popular acceptance, being highly valued for its nutraceutical potential, in addition to presenting a soft pulp, rich in soluble sugars and pleasant flavor, being, therefore, highly sought after by Brazilian and international markets. Despite the high national production (1,161,808 t/year), and been a climacteric fruit, the post-harvest life is short and, during ripening, the fruits become highly susceptible to infections by pathogens, resulting in high market depreciation. Among the most common and important diseases of the crop is anthracnose caused by the fungus Colletotrichum sp.. Knowing that the highest percentage of losses in papaya production occurs for biotic reasons (phytopathogens are responsible for 80-90%), and that these losses reach 30% of production, this project was designed. The most commonly used method in disease management is the application of synthetic fungicides, whose practice can cause damage to the health of the consumer, the applicator and the environment, without considering the fact of the increase of resistant individuals in the population of phytopathogens exposed to the products frequently used. These aspects have increased the demand for new control alternatives. Thus, the project aims to develop a nanotechnological formulation based on a natural bioactive from the Brazilian diversity to prevent and control the fungus Colletotrichum sp., a phytopathogen of great impact on papaya crops. To this end, the nanoencapsulation of Piper aduncum essential oil will be carried out with different matrices (mesoporous silica, chitosan and alginate), in order to obtain the best composition for an application solution, with greater efficiency of activity without changing the quality of the product. Reduction of costs in the production chain, reduction of environmental impact, of exposure of the applicator, providing more quality to the consumer, an efficient option for organic producers are the main pillars of the proposal. (AU)