Overcoming Challenges in the Deployment of Biotechnologies: A Multi-Criteria Assessment of Safety, Regulatory, Economic, and Operational Aspects of Antimicrobial Peptides and RNA Technologies in Reducing Horticultural Waste

Post-harvest losses in horticultural crops, which can account for up to ۵۰% of total production, pose a critical threat to food security, economic sustainability, and natural resource conservation. Despite significant advances in biotechnological solutions-such as antimicrobial peptides and RNA-based technologies-most of these interventions remain confined to the laboratory and rarely transition to packing houses or the supply chain. Unlike previous reviews that focus primarily on molecular mechanisms, this paper addresses the operational and practical barriers to deployment, offering a comprehensive assessment of technology readiness from the laboratory to the market. Adopting a multidimensional approach, this review synthesizes key factors for successful implementation: safety and toxicological profiles, regulatory requirements and legal classification, economic viability and total cost of ownership, integration within existing packing lines, and market acceptance (with particular focus on the distinctions between edible and ornamental crops). By integrating Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) with stage-gate decision models, we propose a framework comprising a "translational funnel" for technology screening and a "deployment readiness matrix." This addresses a significant gap in the literature regarding tools for evaluating "market-readiness." Our analysis indicates that the commercial success of these technologies depends not only on their biological efficacy but also on the alignment of safety, regulatory transparency, economic profitability, and operational compatibility. While natural peptides generally demonstrate advantages in safety and quality control, RNA-based technologies face greater perceptual and regulatory hurdles. By providing visual decision-making tools and proposing future research priorities— such as standardized field trials and regulatory harmonization—this paper offers a practical roadmap to bridge the "valley of death" in technology transfer and provides a pathway toward significantly reducing horticultural waste.

کلیدواژه ها:

Translational readiness ، Antimicrobial peptides (AMPS) ، RNA-based technologies ، Postharvest losses ، Technology adoption ، Postharvest disease management ، Multi-criteria framework ، Horticultural crops