- Agricultural biotech company MustGrow Biologics (MGRO) has licensed an exclusive patent from the University of Idaho
- The patent is for the use of a natural mustard-based biopesticide to suppress post-harvest sprouting of potatoes
- The European Union recently banned use of the leading sprout suppression agrochemical, prompting demand for potential alternatives
- In related news, the company has appointed Dr Matthew J Morra as its Scientific Advisor
- MustGrow Biologics is up 12.24 per cent and is currently trading for C$0.55 per share
Agricultural biotech company MustGrow Biologics (MGRO) has licensed an exclusive patent from the University of Idaho.
The patent, titled “Mustard Meal to Inhibit Sprouting”, relates to a specific fumigation treatment, involving a natural mustard-based biopesticide. The biopesticide is used on stored produce, such as vegetables, in order to suppress post-harvest sprouting.
Suppressing post-harvest sprouting is an essential part of storing potatoes after they are pulled from the ground. However, the European Union banned the use of the leading sprout suppression agrochemical, chlorpropham (CIPC) on October 8, 2020.
Without CIPC, growers are likely to refrigerate their produce, resulting in additional capital expenditure and unsustainable energy consumption. As such, the banning of CIPC has left room and significant demand for potential alternatives for sprout suppression, such as MustGrow’s natural biopesticide.
The patent which the company has licensed makes matter and method claims to use the mustard plant’s active ingredient, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) to control vegetable and potato sprouting. This can be achieved without the use of harmful synthetic chemicals, making it an appealing alternative which could fill the gap left behind by CIPC.
MustGrow is now advancing a solution which combines the company’s expertise in mustard-derived AITC with the newly secured patent.
In related news, the company has announced the appointment of Dr Matthew J Morra as its Scientific Advisor. Dr Morra is an expert on value-added products derived from oilseeds, with extensive experience in developing mustard-based biopesticides.
Dr Morra commented on the industry-wide need for MustGrow’s potential sprouting suppressant.
“Alternatives to potato sprout inhibition are in critical need as the US moves towards eliminating CIPC,” he said.
“Mustard-derived biopesticides rely on a natural sprout inhibitor that meets the needs of the potato industry without the negative human health consequences of current synthetic sprout inhibitors,” he added.
MustGrow Biologics is up 12.24 per cent and is trading for C$0.55 per share, as of 10:33am EST.