TITLE:
Efficacy of Some Plant Extracts and Biodegradables Wrapping Materials as an Alternative to Fungicides in Increasing Shelf Life Citrus Fruits
AUTHORS:
Rana Ibrahim Khaleel
KEYWORDS:
Natural Antimicrobial, Plant Extracts, Bio-Pesticides, Biodegradable Materials
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.7 No.12,
November
30,
2017
ABSTRACT: Increasingly global there is an interest to develop a new method by replacing fungicides in packaging fresh fruit by using environment-friendly bio-pesti-cides, such as use of botanicals or biological control. Five ethanol extracts (concentrations 500 - 5000 ppm) of Cerbera odollam L. (Pong-pong), Capsicum frutescence L. (Chili), Azadirachta indica L. (Neem), Cymbopogon nardus L.
(Lemon grass), Zingiber officinale L. (Ginger), were tested for their
anti-fungal activity for citrus green mold, black and brown rot, compared with
the control fungicide (Guazatine). Efficacy of the selected plant extract in
cooperated with biodegradable materials wrappers (Polylactic acid, Pectin and
Newspaper) was determined during storage at
room temperature (±25℃) to control fruit-pathogen decay under modified
atmosphere packaging (MAP) to increase shelf life and improve the fruit
quality. Crude extracts from pong-pong and chili showed fungal inhibition zone
at 3000 ppm (c.100%), and increased shelf life and decreased weigh loss for
fruits wrapped and stored at room temperature compared with untreated fruit.