Gas in Powder: Sustainable Technology Promises to Optimize Agro-Export in Chile

A team of researchers from the Faculty of Life Sciences of Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) developed a revolutionary solution to deal with post-harvest rot in fruits. This is a critical challenge for Chile’s agro-export industry, considering the country’s remoteness from the main destination markets worldwide. The UNAB team was recognized for this development in the latest version of the Avonni 2024 Innovation Awards.

Rubén Polanco, director of the School of Biosciences and researcher at the Center for Plant Biotechnology (CBV UNAB), together with Danilo González, director of the Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB UNAB) and Yorley Duarte, a researcher at CBIB UNAB, are responsible for «Gas in Powder,» a technology based on the encapsulation of volatile compounds within biodegradable biopolymer matrices, which allows the controlled release of natural fungicides, considered safe for human health (GRAS). This technology is based on the encapsulation of volatile compounds within biodegradable biopolymer matrices, which allows the controlled release of natural fungicides, which are considered safe for human health (GRAS).

«Thanks to this innovation, we are able to maintain the quality of the fruit throughout the export process, guaranteeing freshness and reducing food loss due to rotting,» explains Rubén Polanco, CBV UNAB researcher.

With a View to Sustainability

The main problem addressed by this breakthrough is rot caused by fungi such as Botrytis cinerea, responsible for economic losses exceeding US$10 billion annually worldwide. Losses can reach up to 40% of production in species such as table grapes.

The solution developed by the researchers consists of a biodegradable film for packing table grapes, capable of maintaining the condition of the fruit for 60 days. The controlled release of fungicides reduces gray rot to less than 0.1%, avoiding millions of dollars in losses during the export process.

In addition, the solution is scalable and adaptable to different market needs. «The versatility of this technology lies in its ability to encapsulate various active compounds, allowing its application in other crops,» says Danilo Gonzalez, director of CBIB UNAB.

Compared to traditional fruit export packaging methods, it is safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly. «Our project seeks to protect people’s health by avoiding the use of harmful chemicals and also the health of the environment by incorporating biodegradable products,» says Yorley Duarte.

In this way, the innovation contributes to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations: Responsible Production and Consumption and Zero Hunger.

Towards Technology Transfer and Industrial Scalability

Technology transfer is another fundamental pillar of this development, as it can be aligned with existing industrial processes and expand the portfolio of solutions for agribusiness. Thanks to the collaborative work with the company ANASAC, the product is on its way to the market.

Currently, the research team is in the process of optimizing the prototypes for industrial use. As Danilo González explains, «To date, we have a well-characterized biopolymer matrix designed for the controlled release of agro-industrial gases, and we have developed the capacity to produce these generators on a large scale.

Looking ahead, the team plans to license this development to local industry in the coming years, both in the agro-industrial sector and in other areas that can benefit from this technology. «Being able to license this development will be a very important milestone since it would represent a success story ranging from development based on basic science, multidisciplinary work, the approach of other disciplines, and, better yet, contribute to the development of the national industry,» Gonzalez concludes.

Recognition of Innovation

The «Gas in Powder» technology was recognized nationally with the Avonni 2024 Innovation Award in the category Recognition of Technology Transfer ANID RedGT. The UNAB team was one of the 12 winners of this version, chosen among 37 finalists from a total of 700 applications.

This award highlights the contribution of the UNAB research team, and highlights the value of applied research as a driver of innovation in key sectors such as agribusiness. Dominique Chauveau, Director of Innovation and Technology Transfer at UNAB, highlighted the relevance of the Avonni Award: «It allows us to make visible the tremendous institution that is Universidad Andrés Bello in relation to the research results generated here and how these results can be converted into technologies that contribute—and have the potential to contribute—to solving specific problems in economic sectors of importance to the country.»