New Technologies in Food Preservation

🍄 Contaminant or savior - Fungal yeasts as a promising alternative to chemical fungicides and food preservatives? >35% of annual crop yields are lost due to fungal and bacterial pathogens, with synthetic fungicides only reducing losses by up to 15% and leading to a 40% rise in resistant fungal strains over the last 2 decades 📢 Lately, in my ongoing technical due diligence work, I've been deep-diving into natural food biopreservation and alternative pesticides. I've found that the call for sustainable alternatives like *antagonistic yeasts* has never been louder ____ What are they? Antagonistic yeast strains can inhibit or control the growth of pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and other microbes, making them valuable agents in biocontrol strategies 💰 With postharvest losses costing over $100 billion annually worldwide, yeast-based biocontrol strategies could save up to $30 billion each year. Moreover, they could significantly cut health risks by preventing up to *5,000 mycotoxin-related* illnesses annually ____ New research from He et al., (2024) detailed more use options here: 🔬 Yeasts are "versatile agents" —> Recent research shows specific strains of antagonistic yeasts can slash fungal infections in crops by 50-70% under controlled conditions, all while being about 20% cheaper to cultivate than traditional fungicides 🛡️ How they are applied —> Experiments have shown a 60% reduction in fungal pathogen prevalence on plants treated with yeast-based biocontrol methods. Plus, applying yeasts can boost the shelf life of perishable foods by 30%, effectively reducing waste 🍎 Potential for processed foods —> Despite less than 10% of biopreservation research focusing on processed foods, yeast-based biocontrol shows promise in extending the shelf life of products like juices and cheeses by up to 25%. As a flavor enhancer, nutrition supplement, and antioxidant, at Taste Like, we see yeasts and their extracts added to a vast majority of alternative protein meat products. The best part is that yeasts are (often) considered "more clean label" 🌍 Commercial application and future prospects —> Well-documented, yeast-based biocontrol products still struggle with market penetration, sitting below 5%. Targeted R&D could boost adoption rates to 20%, potentially cutting global postharvest losses by 10% 🔎 Safety considerations —> But, we need to be a bit cautious, as about 2% of commercial yeast strains exhibit opportunistic pathogenic behaviors under certain conditions. Rigorous safety tests and regulatory approvals are essential to ensure these agents remain safe for widespread use _______ 🚀 Check out these companies at the forefront of novel, sustainable food and agricultural yeast-based biopreservation and protection products -> Lallemand, Koppert, and Nufarm 🔗in comments, pic credit to Oztekin et al., 2023 #AgricultureInnovation #SustainableFarming #FoodSecurity #Biopreservation #YeastBiocontrol

Meet PCMs (Phase Change Materials) and see how they are building the future of cold chain: Everyone knows that the cold chain is essential for the long-distance shipment of fresh produce, but this presents various challenges. Maintaining consistent temperatures is crucial for preserving quality and preventing spoilage. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are revolutionizing how we transport fresh produce by maintaining stable temperatures. PCMs absorb heat when temperatures rise and release it when temperatures fall, creating a consistent environment that helps preserve product quality. This technology is being applied to delicate fruits and vegetables like berries and leafy greens, extending shelf life and reducing spoilage during transport. A great example comes from a recent study showing PCMs improved mushroom quality, reducing browning by 84% over 4 days of storage (Rahimi-Khoigani et al., 2023). It’s crucial, however, to follow compliance and safety standards when choosing the right PCM for fresh produce packaging. We must adhere to regulations like ISO 9001 and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to ensure food safety and product integrity across the supply chain. By maintaining optimal temperatures, PCMs help preserve freshness and extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. This reduces spoilage during transport, maintain product quality, and opens new market opportunities for temperature-sensitive produce like berries and leafy greens. What other temperature management innovations do you think will impact the future of the fresh produce supply chain?

Sometimes, the simplest ideas spark the biggest impact. Food waste is a trillion-dollar global issue—nearly one-third of all food produced is lost before it even reaches consumers. But what if we could slow spoilage without refrigeration, chemicals, or costly technology? Enter GreenPod Labs™, an India-based AgriTech startup that’s redefining how we keep produce fresh. Their innovation? A small, plant-based sachet that slows the ripening of fruits and vegetables by triggering their natural defense mechanisms. No complex machinery. No expensive preservatives. Just a smarter, nature-powered way to reduce waste, cut costs, and extend shelf life. According to GreenPod Labs founder, Deepak Rajmohan: "The compounds are made from plant-based edible products like extracts from corn and potato. Many Indian spices from our age-old traditions are also being used. Similarly, we extract compounds from plants, leaves, etc. In total, about 10-15 ingredients are used for the product." GreenPod’s simple yet powerful solution caught the attention of one of the world’s largest retailers, leading to a partnership with Walmart to test their technology on mangoes from Peru headed to the U.S. This milestone isn’t just a validation of GreenPod’s technology—it’s proof that creative, high-impact solutions can scale beyond borders. Here's what their success means for all of us: ☑️ Less food waste – Slower ripening prevents spoilage before food reaches shelves. ☑️ More sustainable supply chains – A natural way to extend shelf life without added energy consumption. ☑️ Global market expansion – GreenPod’s partnership with Walmart gives them a gateway to international distribution and massive scale. You'll likely be enjoying the fruits of their labor eventually. GreenPod Labs is showing us that real innovation isn’t about complexity—it’s about solving problems that matter. Here's what we can learn from them: 🔹 Small, scalable ideas can have global reach. One breakthrough in food science is now influencing supply chains worldwide. 🔹 The best innovations remove friction. GreenPod’s approach is simple, cost-effective, and easy to implement. 🔹 Impact fuels opportunity. By solving a major issue, GreenPod didn’t just build a great product—they unlocked doors to global growth. Innovation doesn’t always start with billion-dollar R&D budgets. Sometimes, it starts with a fresh perspective and a relentless commitment to solving real problems. What small, overlooked problems in your industry could spark game-changing ideas? Drop your thoughts below—let’s rethink what’s possible.

Natural preservatives from mixed tocopherols to rosemary extracts are gaining traction as food manufacturers seek to clean up labels. But could a new generation of products produced by plant cell culture unlock new mechanisms of action? Israeli foodtech startup Novella is one of a flurry of startups developing high-value food or personal care ingredients via plant cell culture. Rather than using sunlight, water, and soil to nurture fully-grown plants, these companies grow plant cells in bioreactors in conditions optimized for the rapid, consistent, and controlled production of high-value #botanicals as agricultural supply chains are increasingly threatened. While several of these startups are focusing on coffee and cocoa however, Novella is focusing on antimicrobials and antioxidants, and has just struck a strategic partnership with Metaphor Foods, the innovation arm of global ingredients and private label food giant Hela APAC, designed to secure ingredient availability, establish manufacturing readiness, and ensure consistent quality at scale. “We are producing known bioactives—mainly alkaloids, terpenes, and polyphenols—naturally found in plants,” says Novella cofounder Itay Dana. “The innovation lies in our targeted composition and delivery system: instead of isolated extracts, we offer intact, soluble plant cells that protect the bioactives, improve stability (e.g. heat resistance), and enable a new mechanism of action. While the compounds are known, this format unlocks new functional benefits and enhanced efficacy.” AgFunder #foodtech #naturalpreservatives #plantcellculture #cleanlabel #antioxidants #antimicrobials