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BiOrangePack

Smart and innovative packaging, post-harvest rot management and shipping of organic citrus fruit
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Classification: 
international research
Programme: 
Other UE programmes
Call: 
PRIMA – SEZ 2 - call 2019
Main ERC field: 
Life Sciences
Unict role: 
Coordinator
Duration (months): 
36
Start date: 
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
End date: 
Friday, November 3, 2023
Total cost: 
€ 1.250,00
Unict cost: 
€ 330,00
Coordinator: 
Università di Catania
Principal investigator in Unict: 
Prof.ssa Santa Olga Cacciola
University department involved: 
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Abstract

The overall objective of the project is to increase the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of the organic citrus post-harvest supply chain by addressing the weaknesses and unresolved problems, namely the high incidence and severity of post-harvest fruit rot caused by fungi, the risk of spread of quarantine fungal pathogens through the citrus trade, the limited shelf life of fresh citrus, the environmental impact of residues from the juice industry, and the efficiency and cost of logistics. The project will look for new products and solutions to reduce losses caused by post-harvest rot and mycotoxin content on fruit skin, to minimize the risk of spreading quarantine pathogens through early detection and exclusion of infected or contaminated fruit, to extend the shelf-life of fresh citrus, to minimize waste from industrial citrus processing, and to optimize citrus storage and transportation to markets by harnessing the potential of smart technologies, including bio, nano, and digital technologies.