European Patent Office (EPO): Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita win the Community Healers prize at the Young Inventors Prize for natural fruit preservation innovation

"Winning a special prize is a powerful validation, not just of our work, but of the farmers we serve every day. It shines a global spotlight on a simple truth: innovation rooted in empathy can change the world. This recognition fuels our mission to ensure that no harvest goes to waste and that every farmer, no matter how small, has a fair shot at prosperity," said Namboozo and Muyita. "Winning a special prize is a powerful validation, not just of our work, but of the farmers we serve every day...

MUNICH, 19/06/2025 (informazione.news - comunicati stampa - ambiente)

said Namboozo and Muyita.

Namboozo and Muyita were selected by an independent jury as one of the chosen from over 450 candidates worldwide. This prize celebrates innovators aged 30 and under, known as Tomorrow Shapers. From this group, three were awarded with special prizes:

In 2022, the world , while , according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In sub-Saharan Africa, where access to cold storage is limited, post-harvest losses particularly affect smallholder farmers.

Namboozo and Muyita, both from farming families, set out to develop a natural alternative to synthetic preservers. Their solution, a blend of plant-derived volatile organic compounds extracted from cloves, lemongrass, eucalyptus and wintergreen. These compounds slow ripening by reducing ethylene emissions and . In pilot tests with Uganda's National Agricultural Research Organisation, Karpolax extended the shelf life of mangoes from 11 to 33 days. The product has also been successfully used on bananas, apples and oranges.

said Muyita.

Karpolax was launched in 2020 and, by 2023, had . Namboozo and Muyita developed the sachets while studying agricultural sciences at Makerere University in Kampala ( Uganda ) and are now The journey to launch, however, involved significant obstacles: said Muyita.

 Namboozo and Muyita's work supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by reducing post-harvest losses and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable food preservation practices.

Find more information about the invention's impact, the technology and the inventor's story .

Aimed at individuals 30 and under, the Young Inventors Prize showcases the transformative power of youth-driven solutions and recognises the remarkable young people paving the way to a more sustainable future. Established in 2022, trophies were first handed out during the European Inventor Award ceremony. As of 2025, the Prize has moved up a gear with its own dedicated event, held separately from the Award. Among the 10 Tomorrow Shapers selected for each edition, three receive special prizes: World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians. In addition, a People's Choice winner is selected through an online public vote. Each Tomorrow Shaper receives EUR 5 000, while the three special prize winners are awarded an additional EUR 15 000. The People's Choice winner also receives an extra EUR 5 000. Read more on the Young Inventors Prize eligibility and selection criteria.

With 6,300 staff members, the European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe . Headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin , Brussels , The Hague and Vienna , the EPO was founded with the aim of strengthening co-operation on patents in Europe . Through the EPO's centralised patent granting procedure, inventors are able to obtain high-quality patent protection in up to 46 countries, covering a market of some 700 million people. The EPO is also the world's leading authority in patent information and patent searching.

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