Abstract
Loquat fruit is one of the most perishable fruits in China, and has a very limited shelf life because of mechanical injury and microbial decay. Due to an increasing concern about human health and environmental security, antagonistic microorganisms have been a potential alternative for fungicides to control postharvest diseases. In this work, the antifungal effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Bacillus methylotrophicus BCN2 and Bacillus thuringiensis BCN10 against five postharvest pathogens isolated from loquat fruit, Fusarium oxysporum, Botryosphaeria sp., Trichoderma atroviride, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Penicillium expansum were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. As a result, the VOCs released by BCN2 and BCN10 were able to suppress the mycelial growth of all targeted pathogens according to inhibition ratio in the double petri-dish assay as well as disease incidence and disease diameter on loquat fruits. The main volatile compounds were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography. These VOCs produced by the two strains played complementary roles in controlling these five molds and enabled loquat fruits to keep fresh for ten days, significantly. This research will provide a theoretic foundation and technical support for exploring the functional components of VOCs applicable in loquat fruit preservation.
Highlights
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is widely cultivated in the subtropical regions of southern China, Japan, northern India, Israel, and the Mediterranean
BCN2 showed an inhibitory effect against C. gloeosporioides, Botryosphaeria sp., and F. oxysporum
BCN10 had an antifungal effect against Botryosphaeria sp., P. expansum, T. atroviride, and C. gloeosporioides
Summary
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is widely cultivated in the subtropical regions of southern China, Japan, northern India, Israel, and the Mediterranean. Loquat fruits are highly perishable products, and generally can only keep fresh for 2 to 3 days at room temperature. Fruit provides an ideal substrate for the growth of pathogen microorganisms after harvest, such as the wound-invading fungi. [1], Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinereal, and Colletotrichum acutatum on apple [2], and Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum on citrus [3]. Loquat fruit is susceptible to mechanical injury and microbial decay, which limits its storage period and marketing life. Postharvest diseases cause considerable economic losses to harvested fruits and vegetables during transportation and storage. Synthetic fungicides are primarily used to control postharvest decay. The recent trend is shifting toward safer and more eco-friendly alternatives for the Molecules 2020, 25, 3360; doi:10.3390/molecules25153360 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
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