Biofungicide Protects Crops Using Plant Defense Molecules

Innovation: Industry

Nanomik Biotechnology

2020

Image: Annie Spratt / Unsplash / CC BY SA - Creative Commons Attribution + ShareAlike

Protect From Fungi

Fungi–which include molds and mushrooms, amongst others–play important roles in every ecosystem, but can also create diseases in plants and animals. Fungi can rapidly reproduce, so living systems must fend them off early to avoid their spread and potential, physical harm. Living systems use both physical and chemical strategies to protect from fungi, and must ensure that these strategies don’t harm the threatened living system itself. For example, a pumpkin’s skin has antifungal proteins to prevent fungal growth without harming the pumpkin itself.

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Protect From Microbes

In living systems, microbes play important roles, such as breaking down organic matter and maintaining personal and system health. But they also pose threats. Bacteria can be pathogens that cause diseases. Some bacteria create colonies called biofilms that can coat surfaces, reducing their effectiveness–for example, inhibiting a leaf’s ability to photosynthesize. Living systems must have strategies for protecting from microbes that cause disease or become so numerous that they create an imbalance in the system. At the same time, living systems must continue living in harmony with other microbes. Some living systems kill microbes. Others repel without killing to reduce the chances that microbes will adapt to the lethal strategy and become resistant to it. For example, some pea seedlings exude a chemical that inhibits biofilm buildup.

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Mikoks from Nanomik Biotechnology protects crops from fungi by controlling the release of plant defense molecules found in nature.

Benefits

Reduced food waste
Reduced chemical use

Applications

Agriculture
Food and beverage industry

UN Sustainable Development Goals Addressed

Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
Goal 12: Responsible Production & Consumption

The Challenge

Every year, 25% of the fruits and vegetables produced are lost or wasted because of fungal spoilage. In order to prevent this loss, different synthetic fungicides are used. However, these can cause serious harm to both human and environmental health. Additionally, fungi develop resistance to these fungicides, making them ineffective over time.

Innovation Details

Nanomik Biotechnology is inspired by the defensive system of plants in nature, which use anti-fungal compounds to naturally deter fungi. Nanomik has encapsulated these compounds to create a liquid fungicide that can be applied to crops in the field as well as after harvest. When a fungus starts to grow on the surface of a fruit or vegetable, it makes the pH of the plant surface more acidic. This causes the capsule containing the anti-fungal compounds to break open, killing the fungus.

Watch how Nanomik Biotechnology was inspired by nature to make a more natural fungicide.

Biological Model

Plants have developed many methods to combat diseases. They naturally produce volatile molecules to protect themselves from many fungal diseases and also stimulate other plants in the environment to activate their defense systems.

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Biological Strategy

Chemicals in Oregano Act as Fungicide

Oregano

Volatile compounds found in oregano destroy fungi by breaking down their cell membranes.

overhead view of variety of orange pumpkins

Biological Strategy

Skin Protects From Fungal Pathogens

Winter squash

Skin of pumpkins helps protect them from fungal pathogens using unique antifungal proteins.

Ray of Hope Prize

The Ray of Hope Prize® celebrates nature-inspired solutions addressing the world’s biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Created in honor of Ray C. Anderson, founder of Interface, Inc. and a business and sustainability leader, the $100,000 Ray of Hope Prize helps startups cross a critical threshold in becoming viable businesses by amplifying their stories and providing them with equity-free funding. The prize shines a light on the innovative, nature-inspired solutions that we need to build a sustainable and resilient world. Nanomik Biotechnology was selected as a finalist for the 2020 Ray of Hope Prize.

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