Expanding the Shelf Life of Tomato Fruits (Solanum Lycopersicum Mill) Using N-Hexan Extract of Date Seeds as Antifungal Agent

Abstract

Tomato fruits are a global commercialised vegetable which are consider as one of the faster perishable fruits. Microbial spoilage cause an important loss from the yield at pre and post harvesting periods.. To reduce fruits harm, a several postharvest application techniques are use, and the environmentally friendly aspects of these methods attract attention. This study was conducted to test the antifungal activity of n-hexan extract of date seeds against fungi which associated with tomatoes and cause spoilage.Samples of tomatoes (local cultiver) were collected from markets in Erbil city during December 2018. Fruites were kept seperately for seven days in plastic cups with lids at lab environment. Seven fungal genera were isolated and identified-Absidia corymbifera, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium sp, Rhizopus stolonifer, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The occurrence % of A. alternata and A. niger was the highest (60% and 58% respectively). The n-hexan extract of date seeds(DSE) were prepared for two extraction periods(15 and 20 hours), they were tested externally to reduced the rate of rotten fruit, to test their anifungal activity against A. alternata (invitro), and to copare with mint and thyme oils. Results showed that DSE reduced the rate of rotted fruits to 30%. It also showed antifungal activity against A. alternata in both invitro and invivo tests. The comparison test showed that DSE less activity than oil of mint had highest thn oil of thyme .