Researchers are exploring the potential of an indigenous South African plant to create natural alternatives to conventional postharvest fungicides.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) are using AI to guide the transformation of oil from an indigenous South African plant into a stable powder with potential for preserving fresh produce.
Existing postharvest fungicides are effective, affordable and essential for protecting fruit during long storage and export journeys. The problem is the heavy reliance on a small number of chemicals, says Professor Olaniyi Fawole.
“Repeated use allows resistant fungi to survive and spread. Resistance to widely used citrus treatments such as imazalil and thiabendazole is already well documented, which can make these less effective over time. In addition, the European Green Deal’s Farm to Fork strategy is encouraging the search for alternatives,” he adds.
Prof Fawole is the SARChI Chair in Sustainable Preservation and Agroprocessing Research (SPAR), and Director of the Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre (PARC) at the UJ Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology.There are also health concerns that require further study.
