Application of Candida saitoana and Glycolchitosan for the Control of Postharvest Diseases of Apple and Citrus Fruit Under Semi-Commercial Conditions

Abstract

The efficacy of the combination of Candida saitoana with 0.2% glycolchitosan (the bioactive coating) as a biocontrol treatment of postharvest diseases of apple and citrus fruit was evaluated in tests with natural inoculations that simulated commercial packinghouse conditions. The growth of C. saitoana in apple wounds and on fruit surfaces was not affected by glycolchitosan. The bioactive coating was more effective in controlling decay of several cultivars of apples (Red Delicious, Rome, Golden Delicious, and Empire) than either C. saitoana or 0.2% glycolchitosan alone. Depending on the apple cultivar used, the bioactive coating was comparable or superior to thiabendazole in reducing decay. The bioactive coating was also superior to C. saitoana in controlling decay of oranges (cvs. Washington navel, Valencia, Pineapple, and Hamlin) and cv. Eureka lemons, and the control level was equivalent to that with imazalil. The bioactive coating and imazalil treatments offered consistent control of decay on Washington navel oranges and Eureka lemons in early and late seasons, while C. saitoana or 0.2% glycolchitosan were most effective on early-season fruit. The combination of C. saitoana with 0.2% glycolchitosan also reduced the incidence of stem-end rot of cv. Valencia oranges, but control was less effective than treatment with imazalil.

Antimicrobial activity of chitosan films containing nisin, peptide P34, and natamycin

“…Chitosan coatings reduced two of the main postharvest diseases of strawberries and raspberries, the gray mold, and Rhizopus rot (Bautista-Ban˜os et al, 2006). Control of Penicillium expansum on apples and citrus fruits has been also reported (El Ghaouth, Smilanick, Brown, Wisniewski, & Wilson, 1999). Chitosan films were also effective against fungi A. phoenicis and P. stoloniferum, which are common deteriorative to grapes, and cereal and nuts, respectively.…”

Antifungal Edible Coatings for Fresh Citrus Fruit: A Review

“…With reference to biocontrol agents as additional antifungal ingredients in chitosan-based coatings, El-Ghaouth, et al [92] assessed the effectiveness of a 0.2% glycolchitosan coating formulated with the antagonistic yeast Candida saitoana against citrus green mold. They observed that this bioactive coating was superior to stand-alone glycolchitosan and C. saitoana treatments in controlling green mold on different orange and lemon cultivars, and the control level was equivalent to that with IMZ.…”

Evaluation of yeast-like fungi to protect Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita) against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

“…Candida species are the most frequently mentioned genera of antagonists in many investigations for instance C. guillermondi, C. oleophila (Saligkarias et al 2002), C. sake (El-Ghaouth et al 2000, 2003Vinas et al 1998), and Korsten (2002) described C. saitoana as a factor limiting the development of gray mold and rot in storage of fruits and vegetables. From 17 isolates of C. albidus, no antagonistic interaction were detected.…”