Stixfresh: longer shelf life for fruit

StixFresh produces stickers that protect fruit against fungal infections. The natural components in the sticker create a protective layer around apples, pears, mangos and other citrus fruits. The American company sets up a Belgian subsidiary and starts an R&D department in Leuven for a collaboration with Professor Patrick Van Dijck (VIB-KU Leuven).

The stickers contain a mixture of plant extracts with anti-fungal effects. The components are released slowly and keep fruit firm, sweet and juicy for much longer than usual.

Patrick Van Dijk, CSO StixFresh and group leader KU Leuven and VIB explain: In my lab we have been investigating for some time now which natural substances have antifungal characteristics and what the active components responsible are. Plant extracts are usually very complex and consist of more than 100 different components, which we map out'.

The research is co-managed by Michele Holtappels, who immediately becomes the first Belgian employee of StixFresh in Flanders: 'More than 70,000 stickers have already been tested and the results are impressive. This is a natural protection that can significantly reduce the amount of waste. I am eager to get started!