FruitMag™: The fungicide-free firming agent for healthier citrus fruit

Global consumer demand for citrus fruit has always been high, and shows no signs of slowing down. This is understandable – citrus fruits are flavorful, juicy and pack ample amounts of healthy vitamin C.

Citrus fruits go through a lengthy process before consumers can place them in their personal fruit baskets. The process includes three main farming stages: pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest. During the post-harvest treatment stage, the citrus fruits are transported from the orchards to packing houses, where they are prepared for distribution.

At the packing houses, the fruits are washed, dried and packed. In an effort to prevent product loss, the fruits are also sprayed with fungicides that protect them from pathogens. These fungicides leave a chemical residue on the fruits' peels. As a result, food regulation organizations worldwide strictly monitor the fungicides' maximum residue levels (MRL), and constantly lower the allowed maximum amounts.

FruitMag^™: A fungicide-free firming agent

As a global specialty minerals company, ICL is constantly searching for new ways to introduce innovative and sustainable solutions to agricultural markets. In 2022, ICL-IP's R&D team developed a solution that acts as a healthier mineral-based replacement to post-harvest citrus fruit fungicides. Based on magnesium sourced from the Dead Sea, this post-harvest treatment solution is aptly named FruitMag™.

FruitMag^™ is a firming agent that does not include chemicals or fungicides. Instead, its firming action is powered by natural magnesium that is safe for human consumption. FruitMag's firming action protects citrus fruits from pathogens that soften the fruits prematurely, and prevents product loss.

How does FruitMag^™ work?

Citrus fruits become more vulnerable to pathogens after sustaining certain injuries that damage their peel. These bruises are often sustained prior to their arrival to the packing houses, during the harvest stage or while the fruits are transported from the orchards. While this damage can be practically invisible at first, the peel can no longer protect the fruit's fructose from the pathogens, which "love" sugar and seek the easiest ways to reach it. The more active the pathogens are as a result of their fructose consumption, the softer and less edible the fruit will become.

Once the citrus fruits are covered with FruitMag^™, ICL's innovative firming agent kicks into high gear. By interacting with citrus pectin, a component of cell wall fiber located within the fruit peel, FruitMag^™ is able to heal the bruised peel and act as an effective firming agent that protects the peel's entire surface area. 

Reducing product loss, naturally

Citrus fruit packing houses are constantly searching for smarter post-harvest solutions and better ways to reduce product loss, which can affect all fruits, regardless of bruising. Fungicides are less effective due to reduced MRL standards, and in today's heightened awareness climate, more and more packing houses find chemical residue to be borderline intolerable.

With FruitMag^™, packing houses gain access to a fungicide-free post-harvest solution that addresses their product loss concerns. A very user-friendly firming agent, FruitMag^™ was designed for ultimate packing line suitability, regardless of size, technique or technology. When it comes to post-harvest handling, FruitMag^™ can be applied in a number of methods – including dipping, spraying and drenching.

A door to fungicide-free packing lines

As the world faces a growing food crisis, ICL-IP works hard to leverage its specialty minerals and create new solutions that can empower the resilience of the global agriculture industry. In this respect, FruitMag^™ is yet another solution in a long line of products developed by ICL-IP, which promote agricultural-based business success, personal well-being and sustainability.As a no-MRL solution, FruitMag^™ responds to consumers' rising concerns regarding the presence of fungicides in the fruits they love so much. In addition, it helps packing houses practice more environmentally-friendly post-harvest handling methods without compromising their product loss objectives. With FruitMag^™, everybody wins.