The main objective of the project was to develop and test an innovative bioprotection system for agriculture, based on the encapsulation of active compounds with toxicological and biocidal properties against plant pathogens. For this purpose, the synthesis of mesoporous siliceous materials functionalized with biomolecular gates, designed to encapsulate essential oils (EOs), was proposed. The purpose was to reduce the volatility of the EOs and increase their fungicidal activity, releasing the compounds only in the presence of pathogenic fungi.
BIOFUNGATE is a project co-funded by the Agència Valenciana de la Innovació (AVI) through the 2022 Strategic Projects in Cooperation program. This project may be co-financed by the European Union through the ERDF Operational Program of the Valencian Community 2021-2027. Reference: INNEST/2022/192
Throughout the project, three types of functionalized mesoporous materials were developed at laboratory scale and successfully validated in vitro. Although the industrial scale-up presented some difficulties, the tests confirmed that the encapsulated essential oils show a higher fungicidal effectiveness compared to the AEs in their free state. The results demonstrate the potential of the system, although its industrial production will need to be optimized for large-scale commercial viability.
This bioprotection system stands out for its ability to encapsulate essential oils and release them in a controlled manner in the presence of fungi, which maximizes their effectiveness and reduces the volatility of the AEs. Compared to other solutions available in the market, it offers a sustainable and efficient alternative, using natural compounds that minimize the environmental impact and improve the stability of the AEs.
The IDM of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) was responsible for the synthesis and characterization of the functionalized mesoporous materials. The Mediterranean Agroforestry Institute (IAM) of the UPV was in charge of the in vitro validation of the assays. Laurentia, for its part, was responsible for developing the materials on a larger scale, contributing to the project's progress towards its industrial implementation.
