Antifungal Potency of Some Essential Oils in Control of Postharvest Decay of Strawberry Caused by Botrytis cinerea, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger

Abstract

The essential oils from Mentha piperita, Lavandula angustifolia, Foeniculum vulgare and Cuminum cyminum were characterized and tested against three common postharvest fungi rot in strawberry fruits. Menthol (36.2 %) and menthone (32.4 %) in M. piperita and linalool (49.2 %) and lavandulyl acetate (12.3 %) in L. angustifolia oils were characterized as major components. The high proportion of trans-anethole (75.8 %) was detected in F. vulgare oil and y-terpinene (29.2 %) and ß-pinene (20.1%) were the principal constituents in C. cyminum oil. The in vitro experiment of four essential oils exhibited antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger. The incorporation of 750Ul.l−1 from C. cyminum oils to PDA medium was more active than others and completely inhibit growth of B. cinerea, R. stolonifer and A. niger. The minimum decay incidence was achieved, when fruits dipped or sprayed with M. piperita essential oil, which was more effective than chemical treatments with Tiabandazol. The present study suggests that the use of essential oil especially M. piperita may be a useful alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides.