Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Carica papaya L. (papaya fruit) has a very thin skin easily damaged by handling, which can lead to infection by fungi such as Colletotrichumgloeosporioides (Penz and Sacc). Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is the main post-harvest disease of the papaya. Inactivation of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in saline solution by the use of high hydrostatic pressure, citral oil and lemongrass oil, alone and in combination, was studied. It was verified that Colletotrichum. Gloeosporioides spores were efficiently inhibited after a pressure treatment of 350 MPa for 30 min. When Colletotrichum. Gloeosporioides was treated with 0.75 mg ml_ 1 of citral or lemongrass oil, the pressure needed to achieve the same spore inhibition was 150 MPa. This work suggests the use of high hydrostatic pressure and plant essential oils as an alternative control for fruit diseases.

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