Citrus fruit waste could preserve wood

The Basque Research Centre (CIDEMCO) will develop a method for processing citrus waste into a starting material for fungicide and insecticide production. It will establish which fruits and parts of the fruit, such as skin, pulp, seeds, and which methods of extraction generate the best raw materials.

The first stage will be to identify natural substances with biocide potential in extracts derived from citrus. The most effective substances will then be tested to European standards for wood protection against fungi and insects. Toxicity and environmental stability will also be examined along with viability of production, cost and commercialisation.