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A researcher from Walailak University has won the NRCT Quality Achievement Award 2026 from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) for developing innovative fruit packaging that helps extend the shelf life of Thai fruits during transportation to international markets.

The award was granted to a research project titled “Fruit Packaging to Delay Spoilage and Control the Ripening of Thai Fruits During Transportation to Increase Opportunities for Premium Sales in International Markets.” The achievement highlights Walailak University’s continued excellence in research and innovation aimed at supporting agricultural development and enhancing the value of Thai products in the global market.

The project is led by Associate Professor Dr. Narumol Matan, Head of the Center of Excellence in Innovation of Essential Oil and Bioactive Compounds and a lecturer at the School of Agricultural Technology and Food Industry, Walailak University. The award was presented in the field of Agriculture and Biology for the fiscal year 2026.

The research integrates expertise in essential oils to develop an innovative packaging solution known as “innovative rubberwood crates containing essential oil vapors.” The innovation uses rubberwood crates treated with vapor and coated with natural extracts from spices containing plant secondary metabolites with natural protective properties.

The research team developed a specific essential oil formulation capable of regulating the respiration rate of fruits, helping to slow the ripening process during transportation. The essential oil vapors inhibit microbial growth, prevent mold formation on both the fruit surface and the wooden crates, and help maintain freshness so that fruits reach consumers in optimal and safe condition.

The special technique results in durable packaging that can be reused multiple times without mold accumulation. In addition, the innovation helps increase the value of agricultural products by enabling them to be marketed as premium-grade fruits, offering long-term economic benefits for entrepreneurs. The technology has already attracted interest from the rubberwood industry for potential commercial production and distribution.

The Center of Excellence also plans to further expand this knowledge to other applications, including community handicraft products in Nakhon Si Thammarat, food packaging, and antimicrobial products, with the goal of creating sustainable value for the local grassroots economy.

For more information, please contact the Center of Excellence in Innovation of Essential Oil and Bioactive Compounds, Walailak University, at the Technology and Innovation Development Laboratory Building (D1). Website: https://essentialoil.wu.ac.th 

To further extend the impact of this research and enhance the competitiveness of Thai farmers, Walailak University will showcase this knowledge and prototype product at the Walailak University Agricultural Fair (AgriNEXT), to be held from March 14–23, 2026, at Research Exhibition Booth C3. The exhibition will provide farmers, entrepreneurs, and the public with an opportunity to explore how this innovation can help maintain fruit freshness and strengthen the global competitiveness of Thai fruit exports.