Maria Concetta Strano
CREA OFA in Acireale, a team of researchers coordinated by Maria Concetta Strano, is focusing its attention on the development of edible anti-fungal coatings to be applied to high-value lemon fruits subjected to cold storage. The research is being conducted as part of the 'Top Citrus' project and is aimed at combating the phenomenon of rotting. Some advance information on the ongoing research has already been made public during a recent television broadcast (see FreshPlaza of 6 March 2025).
"As mentioned, the aim is to contain the development of rot and the occurrence of physiological changes (chilling phthisis). The formulations consist of natural substances and are divided into an antifungal component thanks to extracts from vegetable matrices, and a polysaccharide component due to the presence of pectins obtained from citrus processing waste, with a view to a circular economy and environmental sustainability," explains Maria Concetta Strano, scientific coordinator of the Top Citrus project.
Researchers at work
The working group consisting of researchers Maria Concetta Strano, Flora Valeria Romeo, Gabriele Ballistreri, technical-scientific staff Maria Allegra, Salvatore Alessandro, and scholarship holders Fabrizio Confalone and Federica Tilenni Scaglione contributed to an initial phase of evaluation of different extracts and essential oils by means of tests on artificial substrates and artificially-infected fruit, in order to identify and select the substances with the greatest efficacy against green (Penicillium digitatum) and blue mold (P. italicum), considered the main cause of product loss in the post-harvest processing phase. Preliminary tests were also carried out for the production of pectin-based edible coatings, into which the selected extracts will be integrated at a later stage.
"The coated fruits will be stored at the partner company Villari Srl, in cold rooms with controlled temperature, humidity, and ventilation, and in the presence of ozone gas. During the cold storage period, the quality of the product is assessed by means of microbiological, chemical-physical, and nutritional analyses, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the anti-fungal edible coatings aided by ozone treatment in maintaining quality parameters for longer, allowing the shelf-life of the lemons to be extended, therefore with the possibility of extending the marketing calendar."
The research project is included in measure 16.1 of Regione Sicilia's RDP. Operators, including Salvatore Rapisarda, director of the Euroagrumi Op Consortium of Biancavilla (CT), express their satisfaction.
"We are counting on the effectiveness of this project. Never as in this campaign have we perceived the need to deliver produce that guarantees a certain quality in the post-harvest period, in order to give assurance to consumers and the big retail chains that the fruit will keep. In this campaign, we would probably have had even more satisfactory economic results for POs and traders if the percentages of the deteriorated product had remained below 1%, as could be the case following treatments with the molecules studied by CREA researchers," explains Rapisarda.
"Equally important," adds the Euroagrumi director, "is the study on the effects of shading and anti-hail nets (another Top Citrus project) that favor the reduction of sunlight levels on the plants, leading to a saving in water balance, together with the prevention of wounds generated by hail on the fruit. The project also includes the selection and qualification of new valuable varieties of pigmented oranges and a seedless lemon. We certainly cannot predict the future of the next campaigns, but at the moment we trust in the excellent research conducted at CREA OFA in Acireale."
An early ending
As reported by the director of the OP, the 2024/25 Sicilian citrus fruit campaign is drawing to a close, probably a few weeks earlier than usual, due to a twofold factor relating both to the weather and the good commercial performance of the product, which has found a satisfactory location and remuneration.
Salvatore Rapisarda, director of Consorzio Euroagrumi Op of Biancavilla (CT).
"While, on the one hand, the rain gave breathing space to agriculture in general, on the other hand, it generated levels of relative humidity that facilitated the proliferation of fungal pathogens responsible for the deterioration and rotting processes of the fruit. Traders have in fact received a lot of complaints due to the excessive percentage of rot that is created within a few days of shipment.
The presence of thorns in some valuable varieties, such as the Lempso tarot, exponentially exacerbated the post-harvest quality problems.
"An inter-professional agreement with the processing industry would be desirable in such a situation," concludes Rapisarda. This would make production prices of derivatives more remunerative and not fluctuate. In addition, we would have more certainty on the procurement and volumes of the material destined for the processing industry, avoiding mutual competition among operators at times when the product is scarce."
For more information:
Euroagrumi O.P
Via C.Colombo, 124
95033 Biancavilla (CT) - Italy
+39 095 5183839
info@euroagrumi.it
www.euroagrumi.it