Abstract
Bunch rot in grapes is an aggressive disease and needs to be controlled during the postharvest period. We investigate the antifungal potential of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim., Zanthoxylum rhetsa, Cuminum cyminum, Coriandrum sativum, and Zingiber montanum (J. Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr. essential oils against Aspergillus aculeatus that cause bunch rot disease on postharvest grapes. C. cyminum essential oil exhibited stronger significantly inhibition percentage of 95.08% than other treatments in in vitro assay. Cumin aldehyde (33.94%) and α-terpinen-7-al (32.20%) were identified as major volatile compounds in C. cyminum oil. Antifungal potential of C. cyminum oil was then tested in conidia germination and in vitro tests compared to cumin aldehyde and α-terpinen-7-al. Their EC50 values against the conidial germination were also estimated. Significant reduction of conidia germination was also detected in C. cyminum essential oil and cumin aldehyde at a concentration of 1,000 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. EC50 values of the C. cyminum essential oil, cumin aldehyde, and α-terpinen-7-al were 67.28 μg/mL, 9.31 μg/mL, and 13.23 μg/mL, respectively. In vivo assay, the decrease of the disease severity (0.69%) and incidence (1.48%) percentage of A. aculeatus on grape berries treated at 1,000 μg/mL of C. cyminum essential oil was significantly greater than that obtained from other treatments after 10 days incubation. In addition, grape berries treated with C. cyminum essential oil decreased weight loss and retained fruit firmness. The changing of total soluble solids, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity are also delayed in treated fruits. Therefore, essential oil of C. cyminum may be applied as a biological antifungal agent to control A. aculeatus in postharvest grapes without any negative effects on its quality.
Highlights
Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the world’s most abundant fruit crops with various varieties [1]
Control of bunch rot caused by A. aculeatus on postharvest grapes using C. cyminum essential oil can be cultivated all over the world but mostly in China, which accounts for 16.8% of global production, followed by Italy and the United States at 10.9% and 9.6%, respectively [2]
This study aimed to investigate inhibitory effect of essential oils produced by C. cyminum against the growth of A. aculeatus and its infection on fresh grape berries compared to those essential oils obtained from other plants; Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim., Zanthoxylum rhetsa, Cuminum cyminum, Coriandrum sativum, and Zingiber montanum
Summary
Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the world’s most abundant fruit crops with various varieties [1]. Wide consumption of grapes and its products, such as wine, juice, jam and raisin showing its importance in worldwide economics. They are generally known as an essential source of natural antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and lignans [3]. In Thailand, grapes can be cultivated in many regions of the country. Beauty Seedless is the main grape variety cultivated in the Northern region due to its good growth, production, and quality, followed by Ruby Seedless and Early Muscat [5]. An increase in domestic consumption has made it necessary to import grapes from several countries at a value of one hundred million baht per year [6]
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