AGROALNEXT CONPOTA Project: Effective biological control systems against mycotoxigenic fungi and immunochemical strategies for the analysis of the mycotoxins patulin and ochratoxin
- Type Project
- Scope Autonómico
- Autonomous community Comunitat Valenciana
- Main source of financing NextGenerationEU
- Project website Web del Proyecto
Description
The CONPOTA project, whose full title is “Effective biological control systems against mycotoxigenic fungi and immunochemical strategies for the analysis of the mycotoxins patulin and ochratoxin A”, investigates how to control these filamentous fungi by introducing strains that do not produce these mycotoxins.
Contextual description
Mycotoxins are molecules produced by fungi that can affect human and animal health. The fungi that produce them are called mycotoxigenic. Penicillium expansum is a filamentous fungus that produces the mycotoxin patulin and can infect stone and pome fruits, primarily apples. Aspergillus carbonarius produces the mycotoxin ochratoxin A and can infect grapes. A major problem with mycotoxins is that they can also be detected in products made with infected fruit, such as juices made with apples and/or grapes and baby food products like compotes. Introducing harmless fungi into crops is a way to compete with the truly dangerous ones. When they are present in the same food, they must compete for resources, thus limiting their growth. This biological control has an added advantage: it reduces the need for chemical fungicides.
Results
Non-mycotoxigenic fungi and rapid detection kits have been developed that allow for the reduction and control of the presence of OTA and patulin mycotoxins in food, offering a safe and sustainable solution for improving food safety. Patents: We have two patents on which our project is based. However, it's important to understand that these patents predate the project. What we have addressed in the project is the application of the patented technology. Therefore, while the relationship is strong, the patents are older. Patent ES2849398-B2 is licensed to Gold Standard Diagnostics-Horsham (USA), which currently markets this technology. Patent ES2849398-B2; WO 2021/165557 A1. Patent ES2672945-B1; WO 2018/091756 A1 is not yet licensed, but Unisensor in Belgium is evaluating the technology it protects. We only have a material transfer agreement with them.
Contact information
- Coordinator/entity name: Josep Vicent Mercader Badia
- Mailing address: Not available
- Email coordinator/entity: jvmercader@iata.csic.es
- Phone: Not available
Coordinators
- IATA-CSIC
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