Why oranges matter?
The orange is one of the most consumed fruits in the world, valued not only for its refreshing taste but also for its rich nutritional and functional properties.
Citrus fruits are cultivated in over 140 countries and rank among the most popular fruit crops worldwide!
They’re rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber essential to well-being. Whether eaten fresh or enjoyed as juice, in Brazil they represent much more than just food, they're part of our tradition.
With over 200,000 jobs generated, Brazil leads the global citrus market producing 70% of all orange juice and 29% of the fresh oranges consumed worldwide.
However, the citrus chain faces serious challenges worldwide with bacterial and fungal attacks affecting orchards and fruits.
The Problem
Diseases such as Greening (Candidatus Liberibacter spp.), Green Mold (Penicillium digitatum), and Sour Rot (Geotrichum candidum) jeopardize the farmer's livelihoods and threaten the availability of oranges on people's tables.
Combined with adverse climatic conditions, these pathogens caused a 25.37% decline in production during the 2024/25 harvest, and more than 50% losses after harvest.
The Challenge
There is currently no efficient method for controlling or detecting key citrus diseases. This leads to environmental risks due to excessive pesticide use and delayed responses in the field.
Solution? Pepcitrus!
We propose the use of CTX, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) isolated from the brazilian biodiversity! We aim to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides while improve the livelihoods of growers, and ensure the future of oranges for everyone!
To make this possible, we tested CTX against the pathogens and developed advanced biotechnological platforms to produce CTX using Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus oryzae.
Besides tests in the lab using CTX against Green Mold and Sour Rot, we developed a mathematical model for Greening! This allowed us to better understand the disease and the action of the peptide by simulating the phloem of a tree.
And there’s more! To help tackle Greening, we developed a hardware device for rapid detection, designed to accelerate research and strengthen the fight against this devastating disease.
Looking at the global impact of oranges, we explored the economic potential of our biofactories across different production models, unlocking new possibilities for a more sustainable citrus industry!
We also embraced the principles of the circular economy, transforming orange bagasse into a valuable resource for producing CTX! With this approach, we aim to protect oranges and keep bringing joy to people’s tables!
