Sustainable Bioinspired Wax Coating for Multi-Functional Crop Protection.
Wax crystals are tiny particles found on the cuticles of certain plants, particularly those with superhydrophobic properties like lotus and broccoli. Inspired by these plants, the EU-funded SafeWax project will use formulations based on biodegradable, non-toxic fatty acids to create a protective coating with anti-adhesive, self-cleaning, and antifungal properties. This innovative technology aims to reduce the excessive and improper use of chemical fungicides, which have devastating environmental and global economic consequences. The SafeWax coating will initially be tested on grapevines, which are vulnerable to fungal diseases. In addition to protecting crops from fungal infections, the biodegradable coating will shield them from sun damage and help collect water from dew condensation, thereby mitigating the effects of climate change.
