Abstract
A newapproach to the control of postharvest pathogens, while maintaining fruit quality, has been implemented
by the application of essential oil amended coatings to citrus. This approach eliminates the need
for synthetic fungicides, thereby complying with consumer preferences, organic requirements and reducing
environmental pollution. In vitro studies indicated that the essential oils and some of the terpenoid
components tested were active against Penicillium digitatum. In a series of subsequent semi-commercial
and commercial trials, Mentha spicata and Lippia scaberrima essential oils, as well as pure (d)-limonene
and R-(−)-carvone were incorporated into a variety of commercial citrus coatings. These amended coatingswere
applied postharvest to ‘Tomango’ oranges in the absence of the standard fungicide dip. Excellent
disease control was achieved with the amended coatings, while measured quality parameters indicated
that overall fruit quality was maintained. Moreover, moisture loss was decreased significantly in fruit
treated with essential oil enriched coatings. The efficacy of amended coatings as a viable alternative or
supplement to existing fruit protection strategies was demonstrated in a commercial trial.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:tut/oai:encore.tut.ac.za:d1001494 |
| Date | 03 July 2009 |
| Creators | du Plooy, W, Regnier, T, Combrinck, S |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | |
| Rights | © 2009 Elsevier B.V. |
| Relation | Postharvest Biology and Technology |
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