| Title: | Efficacy and Mechanisms of Action of Essential Oils' Vapours against Blue Mould on Apples Caused by Penicillium expansum |
| Author(s): | Buonsenso F; Schiavon G; Spadaro D; |
| Address: | "Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy. Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector-AGROINNOVA, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1422-0067 (Electronic) 1422-0067 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Biofumigation with slow-release diffusers of essential oils (EOs) of basil, oregano, savoury, thyme, lemon, and fennel was assessed for the control of blue mould of apples, caused by Penicillium expansum. In vitro, the ability of the six EOs to inhibit the mycelial growth was evaluated at concentrations of 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1%. EOs of thyme, savoury, and oregano, at all three concentrations, and basil, at 1.0 and 0.5%, were effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of P. expansum. In vivo, disease incidence and severity were evaluated on 'Opal' apples artificially inoculated with the pathogen and treated at concentrations of 1.0% and 0.5% of EOs. The highest efficacy in reducing blue mould was observed with EOs of lemon and oregano at 1.0% after 60 days of storage at 1 +/- 1 degrees C (incidence of rot, 3 and 1%, respectively) and after a further 14 days of shelf-life at 15 +/- 1 degrees C (15 and 17%). Firmness, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids were evaluated at harvest, after cold storage, and after shelf-life. Throughout the storage period, no evident phytotoxic effects were observed. The EOs used were characterised through GC-MS to analyse their compositions. Moreover, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the cabinets were characterised during storage using the SPME-GC-MS technique. The antifungal effects of EOs were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo and the possible mechanisms of action were hypothesised. High concentrations of antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds in the EOs explain the efficacy of biofumigation in postharvest disease control. These findings provide new insights for the development of sustainable strategies for the management of postharvest diseases and the reduction of fruit losses during storage" |
| Keywords: | "*Malus *Oils, Volatile/pharmacology *Penicillium Antifungal Agents/pharmacology Malus x domestica Spme-gc-ms antimicrobial antioxidant biofumigation gas chromatography analysis natural antifungal compounds postharvest disease quality factors sustainable a;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineBuonsenso, Fabio Schiavon, Giada Spadaro, Davide eng Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo: SMART APPLE - Innovative and SMART technologies for sustainable APPLE production/ European Union: StopMedWaste - Innovative Sustainable technologies TO extend the shelf-life of Perishable MED-iterranean fresh fruit, vegetables and aromatic plants and to reduce WASTE/ Euphresco: BasicS - Basic substances as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides for plant protection (Objective 2020-C-353)/ Switzerland 2023/02/12 Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 2; 24(3):2900. doi: 10.3390/ijms24032900" |
