Application of pomegranate peel extract and essential oil as a safe botanical preservative for the control of postharvest decay caused by Penicillium italicum and Penicillium digitatum on “Satsuma” mandarin

Abstract

There is a growing interest in using natural antifungal compounds for the preservation of foods. The first experiment of this study was investigated an effect of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) and the essential oil (PPEO) in different concentrations mixed with potato dextrose agar (PDA) on spore germination of Penicillum italicum and Penicillum digitatum. in vivo experiments were focused on the treatments offering potential antifungal and antioxidant benefits. Preventive treatments were performed by dipping wounded fruit into the specific concentrations of extract and thereafter, each wound site was infected by inoculating 20 μL of the inoculum of P. italicum or P. digitatum. For curative treatments, fruit were wounded as above, and then inoculated with P. italicum or P. digitatum. Even though data showed no significant differences between PPEO treatments, PPE at 100 and 125 ppm elicited significantly lower spore germination under in vitro conditions compared to the other treatments. The results showed that 75% or/and 100% PPE reduced infected wound percentage and lesion diameter and increased total phenolic, flavonoid compounds content, and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase activity in “Satsuma” mandarin rind. The tested PPE can be effectively utilized for controlling and curing infections caused by P. italicum and P. digitatum. Practical applications The results obtained in this research could be advantageously used by industry as a request of consumer demand for pesticide‐free food. The results indicate that it is possible to substitute the synthetic compounds with preservatives safer for man and environment.

Tangerine, banana and pomegranate peels valorisation for sustainable environment: A review

“…Numerous studies have proved that borneol is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for cortical neurons against oxygen and glucose deprivation [ 218 ]. Additionally, Givi et al [ 28 ] have found that PPW essential oil has a significant antifungal activity against Penicillium italicum and Penicillium digitatum , causing post-harvest decay of tangerine, with an inhibition of 14.29 % of P. italicum and 17 % of P. digitatum . Also, the PPW essential oil containing camphor which provides anti-inflammatory, neurotoxic and mucolytic properties [ 219 ].…”

“…Essential oil is flavouring agents used to reduce the unpleasant taste of medicines. They have significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against several pathogenic microbial strains [ 14 , 28 , 255 ] (See sub-section 7.2.2 ). In therapy, they could be incorporated into cosmetic formulations [ 34 ].…”

“…TPW, PPW and BPW may be used directly or after treatments as animal feed [ 15 , 16 ], soil amendment [ [17] , [18] , [19] ], bio-adsorbents [ 20 , 21 ], and the production of the outputs was obtained by the biorefinery process (biogas, bioethanol and biohydrogen) [ [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] ]. Numerous other studies have focused on the valorisation of TPW, PPW and BPW for the production of value-added products (essential oil, enzymes, food, medical and cosmetic products) [ [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] ].…”

The bioactivity and applications of pomegranate peel extract: A review

“…PPE was used to inoculate fruits with Penicillium italicum or P. digitatum , and it was found that PPE reduced the spread rate of P. italicum or P. digitatum and wound diameter on the surface of fruits. It shows that PPE can effectively control and treat infections caused by italic or mycoplasma digitatum (Givi et al, 2019).…”

Influence of Emulsified and Nano-Emulsified Essential Oils Blend on Performance and Meat Characteristics of Weaned Mountain Rabbits

“…Phenolic compounds may represent beneficial effects through their free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties, Tannins exist in many plants including pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) which are high molecular weight phenolic compounds. Tannins which are high in pomegranate have antimicrobial activity, as well as antioxidant activity (Givi et al, 2019).…”