New post-harvest solution reduces reliance on conventional chemical fungicides and doubles shelf life

All formulations are 100 percent natural, plant-derived, and designed for compatibility with global export markets.      Akorn Natural Guard™ for Mangoes was validated through trials conducted with the Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF) in Brazil's São Francisco Valley, one of the world's premier mango-growing regions. The product demonstrated full control of anthracnose.     
Anthracnose is widely recognized as the most important post-harvest disease of mango, usually affecting 30 percent to 60 percent of production in many growing regions and reaching 100 percent under severe conditions. For a typical 22-metric-ton export container valued at more than $40,000, anthracnose-driven losses of 30-60 percent can translate into $12,000 to $24,000 of fruit written off in a single shipment. Anthracnose in mangoes is commonly managed with synthetic fungicides such as azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, prochloraz, and thiabendazole. However, repeated use raises concerns regarding chemical residues, worker exposure, environmental impacts, and the gradual development of fungicide-resistant pathogen populations, potentially reducing long-term efficacy.      In addition to anthracnose control the treatment extended mango shelf life by as much as 10 additional days providing growers increased flexibility to deal with unforeseeable logistical challenges and enabling them to reach more distant and lucrative markets. Akorn Natural Guard provided superior control of dehydration and ripening during transit resulting in improved post-harvest recovery and reduced shrink, directly benefitting growers' bottom lines, and potentially improving profitability by as much as 50 percent.

"Historically, post-harvest treatments are simple coatings with very limited functionality," said Anthony Zografos, Founder and CEO of Akorn Technology. "We view Akorn Natural Guard as the beginning of a broader platform capable of delivering multiple layers of functionality simultaneously — including natural disease control and shelf-life extension. Our long-term vision is to help the produce industry move away from conventional synthetic chemistries and reduce waste without compromising commercial performance."

Early commercial engagement is already underway with growers and exporters evaluating the technology under real-world export conditions. While the initial commercial focus is on mangoes, the underlying platform was designed for broader applicability across multiple crops and post-harvest disease systems.      "We believe the market is increasingly looking for solutions that combine performance, regulatory compatibility, and sustainability in a single platform," said Xander Shapiro, Chief Commercial Officer at Akorn Technology. "The response from early commercial partners has reinforced our view that growers and exporters are ready for a new generation of natural technologies that go well beyond traditional coatings — solutions that can help reduce food waste, lower dependence on harsh chemicals, and support a more resilient produce supply chain."