Mondias Provides Update on Natural Fungicide Product Development & Commercialization

Mondias Natural Products Inc ("Mondias" or "NHP"), (TSXV: NHP), updates the market on results after the completion of a second NSERC ENGAGE funded research project with McGill University on its innovative botanical agent CELEXT07. The studies demonstrated that CELEXT07 when used as a soil drench agent at a single dose or repeated doses significantly reduced Grey Mold (Botrytis cinereal) lesions on two horticultural plants, tomato and lettuce.

Large scale greenhouse trials evaluating the efficacy of CELEXT07 extracts in disease suppression of Grey Mold were performed on two horticultural plants. The infection from Grey Mold on non-detached leaves of soil-drenched plants was significantly reduced. Compared to control treatment, disease index decreased by almost 90%. Other experiments demonstrated the ability of CELEXT07 to significantly reduce Grey Mold lesions on detached leaves (P <0.05). The study also showed that from an economical point of view, a single dose treatment was sufficient.

Grey Mold is a plant pathogen that causes significant devastating diseases on over 500 plant species (including fruits and vegetables). These infections result in annual economic losses between $10 billion to $100 billion worldwide (L. Hua et al. 2018). In addition, about one-third of the food produced worldwide for human consumption is lost after harvest (Gastavsson et al., 2011).  Infections by fungus are a major factor of food wastage and Grey Mold is considered one of the most important postharvest decays of fresh fruit and vegetables (Romanazzi et al., 2016).

Mondias' research will pave the road for the commercialization of a new botanical-based agent for prevention and management of Grey Mold infections in horticultural crops as well as the prevention of lesions on harvested crops. The corporation plans to collaborate with agricultural product firms to develop and commercialize products aimed at reducing food wastage. Being a natural botanical extract, the CELEXT07 agent will readily decompose in the environment and such agents are considered low risk by pesticide regulators due to their natural origin.

Mr. Jean-Philippe Gravel, CEO of Mondias Naturals Inc stated, "For the last 4 years Mondias has been studying the properties of CELEXT07 as well as preparing for its commercialization. We are now targeting partnerships for the commercialization of natural products to bring the CELEXT07 botanical agent to the market in 2019." According to Allied Market Research, the global fungicide product market had revenues of $11 billion dollars in 2015 and is expected to grow to approximately $17 billion dollars by 2022. Mr. Gravel added, "With its commercialization and partnership strategy, Mondias intends to become a key player in this fungicide market offering a natural solution to the prevention of Grey Mold while helping stimulate plant growth."

About Grey Mold

Grey Mold (Botrytis cinerea) is a fungus that affects many plant species. It is well known for its infections in wine grapes. In viticulture, it is known as "botrytis bunch rot". The fungus affects more than 200 plant species and can result in serious economic losses to both field and greenhouse grown crops. The fungus can infect mature or senescent tissues, plants prior to harvest, or seedlings. Horticultural crops include vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, and beans and small fruit crops such as grape, strawberry, and raspberry.

About Mondias Natural Products Inc.

Mondias specializes in the commercialization and development of evidence based botanical products for the health care and bio agriculture markets. The company is already selling both oral and topical botanical agents to help manage unmet medical needs through Holizen Laboratories, one of its divisions. Mondias is also developing botanical based specialty fertilizers for use on household plants, urban gardens, lawns, golf courses, nurseries or greenhouses in collaboration with McGill's Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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