NATURSMOKE: development of innovative fumigants

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=»no» hundred_percent_height=»no» hundred_percent_height_scroll=»no» hundred_percent_height_center_content=»yes» equal_height_columns=»no» menu_anchor=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» status=»published» publish_date=»» class=»» id=»» link_color=»» link_hover_color=»» border_size=»» border_color=»» border_style=»» border_style=»solid» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» margin_bottom=»» padding_top=»» padding_right=»» padding_bottom=»» padding_left=»» gradient_start_color=»» gradient_end_color=»» gradient_start_position=»0″ gradient_end_position=»100″ gradient_type=»linear» radial_direction=»center center» linear_angle=»180″ background_color=»» background_image=»» background_position=»» background_position=»center center center» background_repeat=»no-repeat» fade=»no» background_parallax=»none» enable_mobile=»no» parallax_speed=»0.3″ background_blend_mode=»none» video_mp4=»» video_webm=»» video_ogv=»» video_url=»» video_aspect_ratio=»16:9″ video_loop=»yes» video_mute=»yes» video_preview_image=»» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=»1_1″ layout=»1_1″ spacing=»» center_content=»no» link=»» target=»_self» min_height=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» hover_type=»none» border_size=»0″ border_color=»» border_style=»solid» border_position=»all» border_radius=»» box_shadow=»no» dimension_box_shadow=»» box_shadow_blur=»0″ box_shadow_spread=»0″ box_shadow_color=»» box_shadow_style=»» box_shadow_style=»» padding_top=»» padding_right=»» padding_bottom=»» padding_left=»» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» background_type=»single» gradient_start_color=»» gradient_end_color=»» gradient_start_position=»0″ gradient_end_position=»100″ gradient_type=»linear» radial_direction=»center center» linear_angle=»180″ background_color=»» background_image=»» background_image_id=»» background_image_id=»» background_position=»left top» background_repeat=»no-repeat» background_blend_mode=»none» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»» filter_type=»regular» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″ last=»no»][fusion_title title_type=»text» rotation_effect=»bounceIn» display_time=»1200″ highlight_effect=»circle» loop_animation=»off» highlight_width=»9″ highlight_top_margin=»0″ before_text=»» rotation_text=»»» highlight_text=»» after_text=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» content_align=»left» size=»1″ font_size=»» animated_font_size=»» fusion_font_family_title_font=»» fusion_font_subset_title_font=»» fusion_font_variant_title_font=»» line_height=»» letter_spacing=»» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» margin_top_mobile=»» margin_bottom_mobile=»» text_color=»» animated_text_color=»» highlight_color=»" style_type="default" sep_color="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_direction="" left" animation_speed="" 0.3″ animation_offset=""]

Natural Fumigens: the Andalusian consortium GO Natursmoke leads the development of fumigant technologies based on natural extracts to combat phytosanitary diseases, reducing the use of chemicals and improving sustainability in greenhouse agricultural production.

[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=»» column_min_width=»» column_spacing=»» rule_style=»default» rule_size=»» rule_color=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»»]

Agricultural technology faces significant challenges, especially in greenhouse production, where variable environmental conditions create a breeding ground for plant diseases.

These diseases, caused by fungi and bacteria, not only affect crop quality, but also have a negative impact on the profitability of the agricultural sector.

In order to address this problem in a more sustainable and efficient manner, the Natursmoke Task Force, The aim of this initiative is to develop innovative disinfection technologies through the development of natural fumigants from food by-products.

[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=»text» rotation_effect=»bounceIn» display_time=»1200″ highlight_effect=»circle» loop_animation=»off» highlight_width=»9″ highlight_top_margin=»0″ before_text=»» rotation_text=»» highlight_text=»» after_text=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» content_align=»left» size=»1″ font_size=»» animated_font_size=»» fusion_font_family_title_font=»» fusion_font_subset_title_font=»» fusion_font_variant_title_font=»» line_height=»» letter_spacing=»» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» margin_top_mobile=»» margin_bottom_mobile=»» text_color=»» animated_text_color=»» highlight_color=»» style_type=»default» sep_color=»» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»» animation_direction=»» left» animation_speed="" 0.3″ animation_offset=""]

An Andalusian consortium

The Grenadian company DOMCA, with extensive experience in obtaining natural extracts with antimicrobial properties participates in this operational group together with a consortium of Andalusian companies and centres led by Bioplagen, a company from Seville specialising in technologies for the agri-food industry. In addition, the group has Agriculture and Testing, a company specialising in the validation of agricultural products, and with the BIO160 group of the University of Granada, which provides scientific expertise in biotechnology and plant biology. Lastly, the group has joined the national association INVEGEN, The project will be supported by a specialist in the promotion of innovation in the agri-food sector to help with the communication and dissemination of the project.

Need for the Project

Greenhouse cultivation is a practice that has gained popularity due to its ability to increase production in the agricultural sector. However, this intensification has led to an increase in phytosanitary diseases that threaten production and thus farmers' profitability. The use of chemical pesticides to combat these diseases has grown considerably, with Spain leading the EU in the production of these foods. On the other hand, growing concerns about environmental impact and food safety have led the EU to establish stricter regulations. The EU Biodiversity Strategy, for example, sets the goal of reducing pesticide use by half by 2030.

The plastic crop sector is therefore faced with multiple phytosanitary challenges, including fungal diseases such as Botrytis cinerea, Podosphaera aphanis and Leveillula taurica, and bacteria such as Pseudomonas syringae. These pathogens not only decrease the quality and quantity of production, but also increase the dependence on chemicals for their control, which is not sustainable in the long term.

Objectives of the NATURSMOKE Project

The The main objective of the NATURSMOKE project is the development of innovative natural fumigant products using active ingredients of natural origin, derived from food by-products, to efficiently control phytopathogenic diseases in greenhouses and post-harvest.. The natural antimicrobials being developed are safe for both consumers and the environment, allowing a significant reduction in the use of chemicals, water and energy, without compromising the quality and safety of agricultural products.

The specific objectives of the project include:

Research and development of new antimicrobial extracts: The aim is to develop sustainable extraction processes to obtain extracts rich in active ingredients with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, capable of controlling pathogens such as Alternaria spp. o, Penicillium spp. among others.
Formulation of standardised fumigant products: The extracted active ingredients will be incorporated into fumigant formulations designed to reduce water consumption and improve the microbiological quality of greenhouse crops and post-harvest facilities.
Integration of active ingredients in fumigants: Products shall be developed that ensure a controlled release of the active ingredients in the form of dry smoke, avoiding the generation of flames and ensuring the efficacy of the treatment without undesired interactions between the components.
Assessment of toxicity and efficacy: A study system based on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans will be implemented as a model to evaluate the toxicity of the compounds. The biological activity and mechanism of action of the developed products against fungi and phytopathogenic bacteria will also be determined.
Validation under laboratory and field conditions: The products will be evaluated at various stages, from laboratory trials to testing in real field conditions, to ensure their efficacy and safety before they are placed on the market.

Impact and contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the EIP

The NATURSMOKE project represents an innovative and sustainable solution for the control of plant pathogenic diseases, in line with EU policies to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. The natural fumigant technology developed will not only contribute to the reduction of disease incidence, but will also allow a more efficient use of resources, avoiding the proliferation of opportunistic micro-organisms that can arise with conventional disinfection methods.

DOMCA, with its extensive experience in obtaining and characterising natural extracts, is responsible for identifying and selecting the compounds with the greatest antimicrobial potential. The selected extracts are sent to BIOPLAGEN for their formulation and conditioning in the fumigant technology products, thus ensuring their efficacy and safety in agricultural applications, and at a later stage they will be tested in the AGRICULTURE AND TESTING facilities. The UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA, for its part, will be in charge of studying the aspects related to the toxicity, innocuousness and mechanism of action of the developed products.

NATURSMOKE is a pioneering project that seeks to offer sustainable and natural solutions for greenhouse and post-harvest disinfection, addressing phytosanitary challenges with cutting-edge technology. With a focus on reducing environmental impact and improving the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, this project is aligned with global trends towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

The project not only promises innovations in disease control, but also contributes to the objectives of the European Innovation Partnership on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability, positioning Andalusia as a benchmark in sustainable agricultural technology.

GO Natursmoke has a total budget of 291,639 € and is financed by European Agricultural Funds for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Junta de Andalucía in the call for the Operation of Autonomous Operational Groups of the European Innovation Partnership on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability 2022.

Project data

Call for applications: Operational Groups. Support for the operation of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Task Forces on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability.
File number: GOPG-SE-23-0015
Title: New disinfectant technologies based on active ingredients obtained from food by-products for the control of plant pathogens in agriculture.
AcronymNATURSMOKE
Funding agency: Junta de Andalucía
Total budget: 291.639,00 €
DOMCA budget: 84.999 €
Grant approved: 84.999 €
Implementation period: 04/2023 - 06/2025

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=»1_3″ layout=»1_3″ spacing=»» centre_content=»no» link=»» target=»_self» min_height=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» hover_type=»none» border_size=»0″ border_color=»» border_style=»solid» border_position=»all» border_radius=»» box_shadow=»no» dimension_box_shadow=»» box_shadow_blur=»0″ box_shadow_spread=»0″ box_shadow_color=»» box_shadow_style=»» box_shadow_style=»» padding_top=»» padding_right=»» padding_bottom=»» padding_left=»» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» background_type=»single» gradient_start_color=»» gradient_end_color=»» gradient_start_position=»0″ gradient_end_position=»100″ gradient_type=»linear» radial_direction=»center center» linear_angle=»180″ background_color=»» background_image=»» background_image_id=»» background_image_id=»» background_position=»left top» background_repeat=»no-repeat» background_blend_mode=»none» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»» filter_type=»regular» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″ last=»no»][fusion_imageframe image_id=»9194|full» max_width=»» style_type=»» blur=»» blur=»» stylecolor=»» hover_type=»none» bordersize=»» bordercolor=»» borderradius=»» align=»none» lightbox=»no» gallery_id=»» lightbox_image=»» lightbox_image_id=»» lightbox_image_id=»» alt=»» link=»» linktarget=»_self» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″]https://www.domca.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/EN-Funded-by-the-European-Union-POS-scaled.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=»1_3″ layout=»1_3″ spacing=»» centre_content=»no» link=»» target=»_self» min_height=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» hover_type=»none» border_size=»0″ border_color=»» border_style=»solid» border_position=»all» border_radius=»» box_shadow=»no» dimension_box_shadow=»» box_shadow_blur=»0″ box_shadow_spread=»0″ box_shadow_color=»» box_shadow_style=»» box_shadow_style=»» padding_top=»» padding_right=»» padding_bottom=»» padding_left=»» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» background_type=»single» gradient_start_color=»» gradient_end_color=»» gradient_start_position=»0″ gradient_end_position=»100″ gradient_type=»linear» radial_direction=»center center» linear_angle=»180″ background_color=»» background_image=»» background_image_id=»» background_image_id=»» background_position=»left top» background_repeat=»no-repeat» background_blend_mode=»none» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»» filter_type=»regular» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″ last=»no»][fusion_imageframe image_id=»9202|full» max_width=»» style_type=»» blur=»» blur=»» stylecolor=»» hover_type=»none» bordersize=»» bordercolor=»» borderradius=»» align=»none» lightbox=»no» gallery_id=»» lightbox_image=»» lightbox_image_id=»» lightbox_image_id=»» alt=»» link=»» linktarget=»_self» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″]https://www.domca.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/normal_0-1.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=»1_3″ layout=»1_3″ spacing=»» center_content=»no» link=»» target=»_self» min_height=»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» hover_type=»none» border_size=»0″ border_color=»» border_style=»solid» border_position=»all» border_radius=»» box_shadow=»no» dimension_box_shadow=»» box_shadow_blur=»0″ box_shadow_spread=»0″ box_shadow_color=»» box_shadow_style=»» box_shadow_style=»» padding_top=»» padding_right=»» padding_bottom=»» padding_left=»» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» background_type=»single» gradient_start_color=»» gradient_end_color=»» gradient_start_position=»0″ gradient_end_position=»100″ gradient_type=»linear» radial_direction=»center center» linear_angle=»180″ background_color=»» background_image=»» background_image_id=»» background_image_id=»» background_position=»left top» background_repeat=»no-repeat» background_blend_mode=»none» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»» filter_type=»regular» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″ last=»no»][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=»1_1″ spacing=»» center_content=»no» link=»» target=»_self» min_height=»»» hide_on_mobile=»small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility» class=»» id=»» hover_type=»none» border_size=»0″ border_color=»» border_style=»solid» border_position=»all» border_radius=»» box_shadow=»no» dimension_box_shadow=»» box_shadow_blur=»0″ box_shadow_spread=»0″ box_shadow_color=»» box_shadow_style=»» box_shadow_style=»» padding_top=»» padding_right=»» padding_bottom=»» padding_left=»» margin_top=»» margin_bottom=»» background_type=»single» gradient_start_color=»» gradient_end_color=»» gradient_start_position=»0″ gradient_end_position=»100″ gradient_type=»linear» radial_direction=»center center» linear_angle=»180″ background_color=»» background_image=»» background_image_id=»» background_image_id=»» background_position=»left top» background_repeat=»no-repeat» background_blend_mode=»none» animation_type=»» animation_direction=»left» animation_speed=»0.3″ animation_offset=»» filter_type=»regular» filter_hue=»0″ filter_saturation=»100″ filter_brightness=»100″ filter_contrast=»100″ filter_invert=»0″ filter_sepia=»0″ filter_opacity=»100″ filter_blur=»0″ filter_hue_hover=»0″ filter_saturation_hover=»100″ filter_brightness_hover=»100″ filter_contrast_hover=»100″ filter_invert_hover=»0″ filter_sepia_hover=»0″ filter_opacity_hover=»100″ filter_blur_hover=»0″ last=»no»][fusion_sharing tagline=»Share this story on your networks!» tagline_color=»» backgroundcolor=»» title=»» link=»" description="" icons_boxed="" icons_boxed_radius="" color_type="brand" icon_colors="" box_colors="" tooltip_placement="" pinterest_image="" pinterest_image_id="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" /][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

NATURSMOKE: development of natural fumigants for greenhouse and post-harvest disease control