Purpose of the Project

Citrus production is a cornerstone of the Cypriot agricultural sector, with the majority of fruit destined for export markets. Despite advanced postharvest infrastructure, significant losses still occur due to fungal decay and related postharvest disorders, posing risks to both economic performance and long-term market sustainability.

The purpose of this project is to develop innovative, biopolymer-based edible coatings enriched with natural bioactive compounds, including seaweed-derived constituents, to reduce postharvest fungal spoilage and improve fruit quality. By optimizing coating formulations and assessing their performance under commercially relevant conditions, the project aims to deliver sustainable postharvest solutions that can be integrated into industrial packing and distribution systems.

Project Objectives

• Identify natural bioactive compounds with antifungal potential, with emphasis on seaweed-derived components.

• Develop and optimize biopolymer-based edible coatings incorporating selected bioactives.

• Evaluate antifungal efficacy and effects on postharvest quality under commercial conditions.

• Facilitate the integration of effective coating formulations into CPPC’s postharvest supply chain.