Akorn Technology, Inc. announced it has been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase IIB Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to advance groundbreaking plant-based edible coatings for fresh produce. This next-generation solution will enable the first commercial post-harvest application of essential oils combined with other natural plant extracts to control devastating plant pathogens without synthetic fungicides.
By combining natural antimicrobial agents with proprietary upcycled plant protein technology, Akorn will deliver a safe, sustainable, and highly effective solution that extends shelf life, reduces food waste, and improves food safety. The technology has broad applicability for many high-value crops including mangos, avocados, sweet potatoes, citrus, and other produce affected by common diseases such as anthracnose, stem end rot, and blue and green mold.
Common chemical fungicides frequently lead to the development of resistant strains of pathogens, forcing growers to use higher doses or switch to new chemicals. This vicious circle frequently ends with producers getting shut out of major markets due to poor quality or Maximum Residual Limit (MRL) breeches. Akorn’s formulation, by contrast, contains a broad range of plant-derived active compounds that work in synergy, making it far more difficult for resistance to develop and helping break this costly and unsustainable cycle.
“Our mission has always been to tackle the global challenge of food waste with sustainable, science-based solutions,” said Anthony Zografos, CEO of Akorn Technology. “This NSF award is both a recognition of our progress and a critical boost to our efforts to replace harmful synthetic fungicides with safe, natural alternatives. We’re bringing together the best of nature and science to protect fresh fruits and vegetables from farm to table.”
The award aligns with growing demand from governments, industry, and consumers worldwide to remove harmful chemicals from foods. “This research directly supports that goal,” Zografos added. “By reducing post-harvest losses and eliminating toxic residues, we can make a meaningful contribution to public health, environmental sustainability, and the global food supply chain.”
Xander Shapiro, Chief Commercial Officer of Akorn, emphasized the market opportunity: “We are inviting interested growers to contact us now and secure a place in our first round of commercial trials, starting in Q4, 2025. This is a chance to be at the forefront of an agricultural breakthrough that will improve product quality, meet consumer demand for clean-label produce, and open doors to premium export markets.”
The announcement marks the fourth consecutive NSF grant awarded to Akorn to develop and launch its platform of all-natural, highly effective post-harvest solutions.
Akorn Technology will be highlighting its full range of solutions for fruit and vegetable producers at the IFPA Fresh Summit 2025 in Hall A, Booth TA2 in the Tech Accelerator Pavilion’s Innovation Hub from October 16-18, 2025 in the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA.
About Akorn Technology
Akorn Technology, Inc., based in Berkeley, California, develops and commercializes innovative, plant-based edible coatings that extend the shelf life of fresh produce while maintaining its quality, flavor, and nutritional value. Akorn’s proprietary water-dispersible vegetable protein technology is plant-based, sustainable, and compatible with existing packinghouse equipment, enabling easy adoption worldwide.
