FRUITPRINT
Design of novel post-harvest technologies with low carbon footprint based on the discovery of active biomolecules
Informazioni Generali
- Coordinatore:
- INPT - INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE TOULOUSE (Francia)
- Responsabile:
- DIRETTO GIANFRANCO - SSPT-BIOTEC-GREEN (CASACCIA)
- Ruolo ENEA:
- PARTNER
- Sito WEB:
- Sito WEB non disponibile
Programmi Europei
- Programma:
- HORIZON EUROPE (2021-2027) -> MSCA Marie Skl. Curie Actions (HORIZON TMA MSCA Staff Exchanges)
Descrizione e Attività
Descrizione Generale
A main challenge for human societies is to feed the ever-increasing world population while limiting the carbon footprint inherent in food
production activities. These seemingly opposing challenges must be reconciled. Securing sufficient amount of food requires to master
the post-harvest storage of fruit and vegetables, the main source of nutrient for human, especially if we aim to reduce meet consumption
due to its high carbon footprint. Controlled atmosphere is the main technology used to extend shelf-life of fresh products. It is mainly
based on low temperature and low oxygen that reduce metabolic activity of fruit and vegetables, but it is energy consuming with high
carbon footprint impact. On the other hand, 1-MCP, a chemical that prevents plants from sensing the plant hormone Ethylene, is also
widely used in post-harvest storage to block ripening and senescence. It has a non-discriminating effects on different ripening processes
leading to some alteration of organoleptic traits. FRUITPRINT project aims to identify novel bioactive molecules to improve storage and
limit post-harvest losses while reducing energy consumption. The project consists of 3 main steps: (1) identification of novel bioactive
molecules inhibiting ripening and senescence by in silico and in vitro screens of large libraries of chemical compounds, (2) evaluation
of the effectiveness of the selected bioactive molecules in post-harvest storage, and (3) uncovering the molecular underpinnings of their
beneficial effects on fruit and vegetables physiology. FRUITPRINT project rely on multidisciplinary approaches and complementary
expertise from partners on virtual screening, oxygen sensing, fruit physiology and post-harvest storage. It will build on original and
innovative material such as high-throughput screening platform, Bioluminescent plants and protein biosensors allowing in vivo screening,
and facilities for post-harvest storage.
Attività svolta da ENEA
L'ENEA è leader del WP4 "Mode of action of identified bioactive molecule" che studierà il meccanismo di azione delle nuove molecole di interesse. Inoltre partecipa al WP2 "ldentification of bioactive molecule", con attività di pathway discovery per selezionare le nuove molecole di interesse, e al WP3 "Screening of bioactive molecule far post-harvest storage".