Damaged Orange

The CORNET project “Damaged Orange” aims to develop innovative ways to utilize oranges affected by Citrus Greening disease in the cosmetic industry. In collaboration between Fraunhofer IVV and the Brazilian research partner ITAL (Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos), the project focuses on identifying and classifying disease-affected fruits to unlock novel application potentials. By valorizing these oranges, the project seeks to enhance the citrus value chain and provide sustainable, bio-based ingredients for cosmetic formulations. In the long term, the project “Damaged Orange” also contributes to stabilizing the economic situation of citrus farmers.

Up to 40% of the global orange production is currently affected by Citrus Greening, leading to substantial yield losses and a decrease in fruit quality. These fruits are often discarded or mixed with healthy oranges, negatively impacting product quality. The “Damaged Orange” project explores a new circular-economy approach: instead of treating diseased fruits as waste, they are investigated as valuable raw materials for natural cosmetics. While the biochemical changes caused by the disease render the fruit less suitable for food use, they can be advantageous in cosmetics. For example, the elevated flavonoid content responsible for bitterness in the juice can provide antioxidant and antimicrobial properties in skincare products.

Within the project, various citrus varieties – including Valencia, Hamlin, and Pera – as well as different degrees of fruit damage are being analyzed through physical and chemical characterization. Oranges processed in Brazil and Germany are examined for their content of valuable bioactive compounds, such as secondary plant metabolites, proteins, and polyphenols, to assess their suitability for cosmetic applications.

The project’s overarching goal is to valorize up to 2.5 million tons of affected oranges annually and increase the availability of citrus-based ingredients for the cosmetics industry by up to 300%. By turning agricultural loss into high-value cosmetic resources, “Damaged Orange” will demonstrate how applied research and international cooperation can create sustainable solutions at the interface of agriculture, biotechnology, and the circular bioeconomy.