Antifungal Activity of Chitosan Biofilms Enriched with Stingless Bee Honey Against <em>Colletotrichum gloesporioides</em>

Abstract

Purpose: Pathogens that affect agricultural products after harvest are controlled using several strategies during the postharvest process. To accomplish this, refrigeration, controlled atmospheres, ethylene absorbers, coatings, and biofilms are used. The antifungal activity of chitosan biofilms added to other polymers (starch, wax and bovine serum albumin) mixed with stingless bee honey (Melipona beecheii, M. solani and Scaptotrigona mexicana) was evaluated.Research Method: The biofilm combinations were performed as follows; honey origin (M. beecheii, M. solani, and S. mexicana), concentration (10%, 20%, 30%), and polymers (starch, S. mexicana wax and bovine serum albumin). The overlay method against Colletotrichum gloesporioides was used to evaluate the antifungal activity, the same as the physical and mechanical characteristics.Findings: Biofilms made with a) 30% of M. beecheii honey + 3g of starch, b) 30% + 20g of S. mexicana honey and wax, and c) 20% of S. mexicana honey + 20g of S. mexicana wax registered the highest growth inhibition values against C. gloesporioides (77.6%, 76.6% and 73.4%). The one made with 20%of S. mexicana honey and wax showed the highest value in thickness (103,660.57 m), as well as a greater resistance in terms of breaking strength (20,133.95 N).Research Limitations: It was not easy to design biofilms with stingless bee honey, due to their humidity and pH content, until we got the exact combination.Value: This research provides information and knowledge to generate better biofilms with more feasible properties that keep the development of pathogens in postharvest fruit restricted.