Control Of Postharvest Diseases Research Articles

A Preliminary Preparation of Endophytic Bacteria CE3 Wettable Powder for Biological Control of Postharvest Diseases

Recently, there has been an increasing interest among researchers in using combinations of biological control agents to exploit potential synergistic effects among them. In the present study, there were investigated commercially acceptable formulations of Bacillus cereus CE3 wetting powder with long storage life and retained efficacy to control chestnut and other fruit rot caused by Endothia parasitica (Murr) and Fusarium solani. The study sought to develop a new B. cereus formulation that would be more effective and better suited to the conditions of field application. By a series of experiments, the formulation was confirmed as follows: 60% B. cereus freeze-dried powder, 28.9% diatomite as carrier, 4% sodium lignin sulfonate as disperser, 6% alkyl naphthalene sulfonate as wetting agent, 1% K2HPO4 as stabilizer, 0.1% β-cyclodextrin as ultraviolet protectant. The controlling experiments showed that the diluted 100 times of 60% B. cereus wetting powder had 79.47% corrosion rate to chestnut pathogens; and this result is comparable to the diluted 1,000 times of 70% thiophanate-methyl. Safety evaluation results showed that rats acute oral lethal dose 50% was 5,000.35, therefore application of B. cereus wettable powder could not cause a person or animal poisoning. This work illustrated that 60% B. cereus wetting powder had commercial potential; however, to apply this formulation as a biological pesticide in the field, masses production processes need to be further studied.

Report of postharvest rot of kiwifruit in Korea caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

In May 2014, sclerotinia rot symptoms caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were observed on stored kiwifruit in Jinju, South Korea. The symptoms appeared as soft, water-soaked lesions on fruit covered with a white mycelium. The morphological characteristics and the internal transcribed spacer sequences of rRNA of the pathogen isolated from the sclerotinia rot showed it to be S. sclerotiorum. This was confirmed by performing a pathogenicity test with pure cultures of S. sclerotiorum and by reisolating S. sclerotiorum from artificially inoculated kiwifruits. Our results should help promote a better understanding of the diseases that affect kiwifruit and improve practices for postharvest disease control in the kiwifruit industry.

Chitosan boehmite-alumina nanocomposite films and thyme oil vapour control brown rot in peaches (Prunus persica L.) during postharvest storage

Brown rot (Monilinia spp.) affects the shelf life, fruit quality and marketability of peaches (Prunus persica L.). Increasing consumer concern regarding food safety makes it necessary to search for natural environmentally friendly alternative products for postharvest disease control. In this investigation, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) punnets containing thyme oil (TO sachets) and sealed with chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films significantly reduced the incidence and severity of brown rot caused by Monilinia laxa in artificially inoculated peach fruits (cv. Kakawa) held at 25 °C for 5 days. Furthermore, PET punnets containing TO sachets and sealed with chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films significantly reduced the brown rot incidence to 10% in naturally infected fruits stored at 0.5 °C, 90% RH for 7 days and at the simulated market shelf conditions for 3 days at 15 °C, 75% RH. The chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films maintained the active components of thyme oil, thymol (56.43% RA), caryophyllen (9.47% RA) and β-linalool (37.6% RA) within the (head space volatiles) punnet. Panellists preferred fruits packed from commercial punnet containing thyme oil (sachets) and sealed with chitosan/boehmite nanocomposite lidding films due to overall appearance, taste, and natural peach flavour.

Application of lemongrass oil in vapour phase for the effective control of anthracnose of 'Sekaki' papaya.

To evaluate the potential use of lemongrass essential oil vapour as an alternative for synthetic fungicides in controlling anthracnose of papaya. Lemongrass oil used in the study was characterized using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) before it was tested against anthracnose of papaya in vitro and in vivo. The GC-FID analysis showed that geranial (45·6%) and neral (34·3%) were the major components in lemongrass oil. In vitro study revealed that lemongrass oil vapour at all concentrations tested (33, 66, 132, 264 and 528 μl l(-1) ) suppressed the mycelial growth and conidial germination of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. For the in vivo study, 'Sekaki' papaya were exposed to lemongrass oil fumigation (0, 7, 14, 28 μl l(-1) ) for 18 h and at room temperature for 9 days. Lemongrass oil vapour at the concentration of 28 μl l(-1) was most effective against anthracnose of artificially inoculated papaya fruit while quality parameters of papaya were not significantly altered. This suggests that lemongrass oil vapour can control anthracnose disease development on papaya without affecting its natural ripening process. The potential practical application of this technology can reduce reliance on synthetic fungicides for the control of postharvest diseases in papaya.

Responses of yeast biocontrol agents to environmental stress.

Biological control of postharvest diseases, utilizing wild species and strains of antagonistic yeast species, is a research topic that has received considerable attention in the literature over the past 30 years. In principle, it represents a promising alternative to chemical fungicides for the management of postharvest decay of fruits, vegetables, and grains. A yeast-based biocontrol system is composed of a tritrophic interaction between a host (commodity), a pathogen, and a yeast species, all of which are affected by environmental factors such as temperature, pH, and UV light as well as osmotic and oxidative stresses. Additionally, during the production process, biocontrol agents encounter various severe abiotic stresses that also impact their viability. Therefore, understanding the ecological fitness of the potential yeast biocontrol agents and developing strategies to enhance their stress tolerance are essential to their efficacy and commercial application. The current review provides an overview of the responses of antagonistic yeast species to various environmental stresses, the methods that can be used to improve stress tolerance and efficacy, and the related mechanisms associated with improved stress tolerance.

Postharvest treatment with trans-2-hexenal induced resistance against Botrytis cinerea in tomato fruit

Trans-2-hexenal is a biocidal molecule released in many fruits and vegetables. In this paper, the effects of trans-2-hexenal on the control of postharvest diseases in tomato fruits were investigated. We indicated that the incidence of natural infection and infection by Botrytis cinerea in tomato fruits was significantly decreased after treatment with trans-2-hexenal. Trans-2-hexenal increased the mRNA levels of genes encoding ethylene receptors, lipoxygenase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), but did not induce the mRNA accumulation of the pathogenesis-related proteins, such as PR-1a or PR-5. The activities of peroxidases and PAL and the accumulation of phenolic compounds were significantly enhanced after trans-2-hexenal treatment. This is the first report of trans-2-hexenal as an elicitor and its ability to control the postharvest diseases in tomato fruits. These results suggest that the controlling effects of trans-2-hexenal on both natural infection and gray mould in tomato fruits might be related to JA/ET-mediated induced systemic resistance.

Alternative Strategy on Control of Postharvest Diseases of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) by Use of Low Dose of Ultraviolet-C Irradiation

The demand for clean, safe and sustainable alternative control measures of postharvest diseases of fruit has increased in recent years, and the use of UV-C irradiation is a potential option. This study focused on evaluating UV-C dose effect on in vitro and in vivo development of fungi species and also on postharvest decay on mango cv. Tommy Atkins. The evaluated fungi which cause decay were as follows: Botryosphaeria dothidea, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Alternaria alternata and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Fungus mycelium was exposed to increasing doses of UV-C irradiation: 0 (control), 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20 kJ m−2. L. theobromae and A. alternata received dose up to 59.7 kJ m−2. Mangos artificially inoculated with B. dothidea were treated with doses of UV-C irradiation: 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 e 10.0 kJ m−2 and stored at 10 °C for 15 days and for 2 days at 22 °C, observing the rot on daily basis. The trials were conducted in a completely randomized design with six replicates for in vitro tests and four replicates with seven fruit as experimental unit. The in vitro trials demonstrated that even high dose of UV-C (20 kJ m−2) was not able to control the fungi development. Nonetheless, low dose of UV-C irradiation at 2.5 kJ m−2 controlled around 70 % of fruit rot severity. Higher doses (>5 kJ m−2) caused damage on mango peel increasing the rot severity. Results suggest that, the application of low dose (<3 kJ m−2) of UV-C irradiation can contribute to the integrated management of postharvest diseases on mango, and that, the mechanisms of control involved are not directly related to the fungi development.

Antifungal activity of sodium propylparaben alone or in combination with low doses of imazalil against Penicillium decay on citrus fruit

The performance of postharvest treatments with sodium propylparaben (SPP), alone or combined with low doses of the fungicide imazalil (IMZ), against citrus green (GM) and blue (BM) molds was evaluated on several citrus species and cultivars artificially inoculated with Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum, respectively, and incubated at 20 °C or cold-stored at 5 °C. Effectiveness of 100 mM SPP dips at 20 °C for 60 s was higher on oranges than on mandarins, with GM and BM incidence reductions of up to 60–90 % after 7 days at 20 °C. Irrespective of citrus cultivar and storage condition, SPP generally improved the curative action of 25 μl l−1 IMZ to control Penicillium molds. In additional tests, 100 mM SPP dips at 20 °C for 60 s only prevented GM on ‘Valencia’ oranges inoculated 24 h after treatment when combined with IMZ. It can be concluded that postharvest SPP treatments show promise as an effective alternative to be considered in citrus postharvest disease control programs.

Alternative methods for the control of postharvest citrus diseases

The postharvest diseases of citrus fruit cause considerable losses during storage and transportation. These diseases are managed principally by the application of synthetic fungicides. However, the increasing concern for health hazards and environmental pollution due to chemical use has required the development of alternative strategies for the control of postharvest citrus diseases. Management of postharvest diseases using microbial antagonists, natural plant-derived products and Generally Recognized As Safe compounds has been demonstrated to be most suitable to replace the synthetic fungicides, which are either being banned or recommended for limited use. However, application of these alternatives by themselves may not always provide a commercially acceptable level of control of postharvest citrus diseases comparable to that obtained with synthetic fungicides. To provide more effective disease control, a multifaceted approach based on the combination of different postharvest treatments has been adopted. Actually, despite the distinctive features of these alternative methods, several reasons hinder the commercial use of such treatments. Consequently, research should emphasize the development of appropriate tools to effectively implement these alternative methods to commercial citrus production.

Effect of volatile citral on the development of blue mould, green mould and sour rot on navel orange

The essential oil, citral, has potential for non-conventional control of postharvest diseases of citrus caused by Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum and Geotrichum citri-aurantii. Citral in volatile phase has been shown to inhibit the three pathogens in vitro. The effect of citral applied as a fumigant on the incidence of disease on navel oranges (Citrus sinensis) was therefore studied. Fumigation of oranges with citral (20, 60 or 150 mL L−1 in absorbent pads) in a closed system, following application of conidia (20 μL of 106 conidia mL−1) to puncture wounds, delayed the onset of sour rot at room temperature by 7–10 days and at 5 °C, by 13–30 days, but had limited effect on blue and green mould. Blue and green mould developed faster on oranges wounded by puncture than by abrasion and volatile citral delayed the development of blue mould in abraded, but not punctured, oranges stored at 5 °C. Phytotoxicity symptoms were observed on the upper surface of some fruit close to or in direct contact with citral-soaked pads at concentrations of 60 and 150 mL L−1. Citral residue was not detected in the rind of fumigated oranges. Volatile citral applied at 60 mL L−1 appeared to have potential for the control of sour rot, although phytotoxicity was associated with high concentrations of volatile citral.

EVALUATION OF THE USE OF PROCHLORAZ IN THE CONTROL OF POSTHARVEST DISEASES OF PAPAYA IN AUSTRALIA

Prochloraz as Sportak at 450 g a.i./L is registered for the control of postharvest diseases in papaya in Australia. A project in far north Queensland in 2011, examined the use patterns of postharvest treatments, evaluated treatment dips and sprays for prochloraz concentrations and evaluated the efficacy of prochloraz at 0, 20, 40, 55 and 70 ml/100 L, fludioxonil as Scholar at 260 ml/100 L and azoxystrobin as Amistar at 50 ml/100 L. Results showed that packing shed use of Sportak varied with recycled and stored solutions showing a depletion of the active ingredient. Measured prochloraz in solution was highly pH dependent with nominal solution values only being measured when the pH was less than 3.0. In the fungicide efficacy trial Sportak at the label rate of 55 ml/100 L provided more effective disease control than fludioxonil and azoxystrobin. The trial also suggested that fruit from older trees showed a high degree of disease incidence relative to fruit from young trees.

Induction of Rhizopus oryzae Germination Under Starvation Using Host Metabolites Increases Spore Susceptibility to Heat Stress

Sweetpotato is a nutritional source worldwide. Soft rot caused by Rhizopus spp. is a major limiting factor in the storage of produce, rendering it potentially unsafe for human consumption. In this study, Rhizopus oryzae was used to develop a concept of postharvest disease control by weakening the pathogen through induction of spore germination under starvation conditions. We isolated the sweetpotato active fractions (SPAFs) that induce spore germination and used them at a low dose to enhance spore weakening caused by starvation. Germination in SPAF at 1 mg/ml weakened the pathogen spores by delaying their ability to form colonies on rich media and by increasing their sensitivity to heat stress. The weakening effect was also supported by reduced metabolic activity, as detected by Alarmar Blue fluorescent dye assays. Spores incubated with SPAF at 1 mg/ml showed DNA fragmentation in some of their nuclei, as observed by TUNEL assay. In addition, these spores exhibited changes in ultrastructural morphology (i.e., shrinkage of germ tubes, nucleus deformation, and vacuole formation) which are hallmarks of programmed cell death. We suggest that induction of spore germination under starvation conditions increases their susceptibility to stress and, therefore, might be considered a new strategy for pathogen control.

Salicylic acid induced resistance in fruits to combat against postharvest pathogens: a review

Salicylic acid (SA), the plant hormone, is extensively involved in signalling pathway, primarily in defence to induced local and systemic resistances in fruits against postharvest pathogens. Exogenous application of SA on fruits at optimum or non-toxic concentration provided efficient control of decay caused by postharvest pathogens. SA has direct fungitoxic effect on pathogen growth. This review scrutinises the control of various postharvest diseases by the application of SA on different fruits. Furthermore, physiological mechanism involved in inducing resistance is also discussed. These findings are necessary for understanding the proper function of SA in harvested fruits. In future, there is a need to correlate the efficacy of SA with environmental conditions and should emphasise on molecular paths involved in signalling of induce resistance.

Eradicant and curative treatments of hexanal against peach brown rot

Brown rot, caused by Monilinia spp. , is one of the most important peach (Prunuspersica (L.) Batsch) diseases and the main cause of postharvest losses. Currently, alternative methods for postharvest disease control, such as the use of volatiles, are under investigation. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of hexanal on the in vitro development of Monilinia fructicola and M. laxa and on monocyclic components of brown rot on peaches. To evaluate the effect on pathogen development in vitro, a single dose of 215 µL of liquid hexanal was placed on glass jars in closed plastic containers (4.3 L) at the moment of fungi transfer, 24 or 48 h after transferring to Petri dishes. After hexanal application, the Petri dishes were kept inside the containers that were closed for 24 h at 20 ºC. Mycelial growth was measured seven days after hexanal removal. For in vivo assays, inoculated fruits were kept in closed plastic containers, and hexanal was applied at the moment of fruit inoculation or 24 hours thereafter. The monocyclic components infection frequency, expressed as brown rot incidence, lesion diameter and lesion sporulation, were assessed daily for seven days. Overall, hexanal was more effective in inhibiting mycelial growth when applied at the moment of pathogen transfer. Hexanal did not prevent pathogen infection, but reduced lesion diameter and completely inhibited spore production on the fruit for both treatments. Hexanal provides a promising alternative for chemical control and can be used in postharvest handling systems.

Chitosan disrupts Penicillium expansum and controls postharvest blue mold of jujube fruit

Chitosan has been shown to be effective for control of postharvest diseases on various fruit. However, little is known about the effect of chitosan on blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum on jujube fruit. Here we show that application of chitosan reduced disease development of blue mold caused by P. expansum in wounded and inoculated jujube fruit at 25 °C. Chitosan also provided an inhibitory effect on natural decay of jujube fruit during storage at 0 °C. Application of a chitosan coating to fruit had hardly any significant effect on the changes of weight loss, soluble solid contents, titratable acidity, and vitamin C, as storage time increased. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of chitosan against blue mold on jujube fruit, we analyzed the growth of P. expansum after chitosan treatment. Results indicated that spore germination, germ tube length and mycelial growth of P. expansum were significantly inhibited by chitosan in a concentration-dependent mode. Using the fluorescent probe propidium iodide, we found that the plasma membrane of P. expansum collapsed significantly after chitosan treatment. Further observation by electron microscopy revealed that plasma membrane of P. expansum was gradually disrupted after chitosan application. Our data suggest that chitosan may be potentially used for controlling postharvest diseases in jujube fruit without negative effect on fruit quality.

Control of fruit postharvest diseases: old issues and innovative approaches

Purpose of the review: This review focuses on the issues of fruit postharvest disease control; firstly the appearance of pathogen isolates resistant to common fungicides followed by stricter regulatory policies that impose a reduction in their use. Emphasis is given to the attempts to introduce effective biological control agents (BCAs) able to reduce fruit losses by an improvement in their formulation. Findings : At the beginning of the 1960s, treatments based on chemical fungicides as the main method of reducing postharvest fruit losses obtained satisfactory results. However, the fungicide option for managing postharvest decays is increasingly limited; in addition, the use of fungicides on fruit after harvest is regulated by different food protection agencies. The intense use of fungicides in the postharvest phase has contributed to the appearance of resistant isolates, widespread in packinghouses. Nowadays, fungicide resistance is frequently reported for the main fungal pathogens such as Penicillium , Monilinia , Botrytis, etc. Although the use of synthetic chemical fungicides remains a primary method of controlling postharvest diseases, the global trend appears to be shifting towards reduced use of fungicides, substituting them with alternative methods like biofungicides. However, the great effort made by researchers, documented by many peer-reviewed publications, has been only partially compensated by the appearance on the market of BCAs available for industrial application to control postharvest decays. Limitations : There are several reasons for the limited diffusion of biofungicides, some relate to an intrinsic ineffectiveness of BCAs such as their inconsistency, and the variability of the control under commercial conditions. Some are relate to their formulation which reduces the activity of antagonists with respect to the fresh cells, the high cost of the production, and the regulatory barriers to BCA registration in different countries that do not encourage their dissemination. Directions for further research : The formulation process represents an important step for maintaining a high and stable BCA efficacy. Dehydration of the product and maintenance in a dry environment is preferable to liquid formulations since antagonists can be handled using the normal distribution and storage channels. Unfortunately, not all microorganisms are able to survive drying conditions; they can lose viability during the drying process and storage. In order to avoid undesirable effects, cryoprotecting media have to be assessed during freeze-drying treatments in order to conserve antagonist viability. For example, in the case of Bacillus sp., its sporeforming ability could provide high resistance to extreme environmental conditions, making it a good candidate for developing stable and efficient products. In addition, the introduction of BCAs in wax or oil-based coatings can represent a useful strategy, above all for citrus fruit, papaya or mango that are treated by application of the coating after harvest.

Use of biocontrol agents in combination with physical and chemical treatments: efficacy assessment

Purpose of review: This review discusses the combination of biological control agents with physical (heat, gamma or UV-C irradiation, controlled atmosphere) or chemical (salt additives, chitosan, natural plant products) treatments against the main postharvest fruit diseases. Findings: The use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) to control postharvest fruit diseases is still constrained by the lack of high levels of disease control required in the postharvest phase (more than 95%). Their inconsistent activity is one of the main factors preventing their routine application on fruit after harvest. Therefore, to overcome this issue, integrated strategies were explored and continue to be one of the fields most investigated in postharvest fruit disease control, in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. The combination of BCAs with physical and chemical treatments, including fungicides at low doses, resulted in an increase of BCAs effectiveness against fungal diseases such as Pencillium spp., Monilinia spp., Botrytis cinerea , etc. Since the integration of different treatments could benefit from their additive or synergic effects and improve the efficacy of each single method. Limitations: It is unrealistic to assume that BCAs have the same fungicidal activity as pesticides; the evaluation of their compatibility with other methods therefore seems to be the main topic that will be developed in the near future. Nevertheless, it is necessary to evaluate the possible detrimental effects of some treatments like gamma irradiation or essential oils on qualitative fruit parameters in view of their commercial application. In addition, the use of low doses of fungicides cannot be applied to organic production. Directions for further research: Specific appropriate strategies have to be evaluated for each species and pathogen in order to tailor a complete integrated disease management. Moreover, these integrated applications have to be investigated at commercial levels, including during fruit handling, in order to ascertain their practical efficacy.

Prestorage application of high carbon dioxide combined with controlled atmosphere storage as a dual approach to control Botrytis cinerea in organic ‘Flame Seedless’ and ‘Crimson Seedless’ table grapes

Pre-storage application of 40% CO2 at 0°C for 24 or 48h and controlled atmosphere (12% O2+12% CO2) storage at 0°C for up to eight weeks on decay control and quality of organic ‘Flame Seedless’ and ‘Crimson Seedless’ table grapes were studied as a postharvest disease control alternative. To simulate different potential field conditions, these organic treatments were applied to organic-grown grapes that were naturally infected (without inoculation), surface inoculated (berries inoculated by spraying with a conidia suspension), and nesting inoculated (clusters inoculated by placing in the middle an artificially infected berry) with the pathogen Botrytis cinerea, the cause of grape gray mold. Under these three conditions, a 40% CO2 for 48h pre-storage treatment followed by controlled atmosphere reduced the gray mold incidence from 22% to 0.6% and from 100% to 7.4% after four and seven weeks, respectively. High CO2 pre-storage alone limited botrytis incidence in both naturally and artificially infected grapes, but was more effective when combined with CA. These treatments did not affect visual or sensory fruit quality. Exposure to high CO2 for 24 or 48h effectively inhibited mycelial growth of B. cinerea in PDA plates incubated at 22°C for up to 72h. Conidia germination in PDA plates was reduced ∼60% after 12h incubation. In vitro studies demonstrated a fungistatic effect, but further studies on the mechanism of action could improve treatment performance. This novel high CO2 initial fumigation followed by controlled atmosphere during storage or transportation could be a commercially feasible alternative for postharvest handling of organic and conventional table grapes. Our results encourage validating this combined physical treatment in other cultivars and under commercial conditions.

Plant Latex: A Promising Antifungal Agent for Post Harvest Disease Control

Bioactive compounds from plant latex are potential source of antifungic against post harvest pathogens. Latex from a total of seven plant species was investigated for its phytochemical and antifungal properties. Six fungi namely Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger, A. terreus, F. solani, P. digitatum and R. arrhizus were isolated from infected fruits and vegetables and tested against various solvent extracts of latex. Analysis of latex extracts with phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. Antifungal assay revealed the potential inhibitory activity of petroleum ether extracts against the postharvest fungal isolates. Various degree of sensitivity was observed irrespective of plant species studied with A. terreus and P. digitatum as the most susceptible ones. F. solani and A. fumigatus were moderately sensitive to the latex extracts tested. Among the plants, latex of Thevetia peruviana (75.2%) and Artocarpus heterophyllus (64.8%) were having potential antifungal activity against the isolates followed by Manilkara zapota (51.1%). In conclusion, use of plant latex makes interest to control postharvest fungal diseases and is fitting well with the concept of safety for human health and environment.

CONTROL OF POSTHARVEST ANTHRACNOSE DISEASE AND QUALITY OF PAPAYA USING BACILLUS SUBTILIS STRAIN B34 ENHANCED WITH SODIUM BICARBONATE AND ALOE VERA GEL

The potentials of using Bacillus subtilis by itself or enhanced with sodium bicarbonate (SBC) and Aloe vera gel (aloe gel) for the control of postharvest anthracnose disease of papaya fruit, and subsequently their effects on postharvest quality of fruit were investigated. B. subtilis B34 showed antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides, which was isolated from papaya fruit surface. However, B. subtilis B34 when supplemented with 2% SBC and 20% aloe gel showed a greater control by reducing 98.2% of the disease during storage for 14 days at 12°C and 95% RH, which was superior to that obtained using fungicide, benocide®. Furthermore, the combination of SBC-aloe gel with B. subtilis significantly managed the fruit quality by maintaining fruit firmness, delaying the changes in external color without impairing any other fruit quality parameters during another storage experiment at 12°C and 95% RH for 28 days. Therefore, the combination of B. subtilis strain B34, SBC and Aloe vera gel could be an alternative to synthetic fungicides for the control of postharvest anthracnose disease as well as quality of papaya.