ศูนย์นวัตกรรมเทคโนโลยีหลังการเก็บเกี่ยว

Efficacy of the mycofumigant arabesqueTM (Muscodor albus) in postharvest pathogen control on fruit-vegetables

Suslow T.V.; de Freitas P.M. and Mercier J.

5th International Postharvest Symposium . Volume of Abstract . Verona, Italy 6-11 June 2004, p.102

2004

บทคัดย่อ

Arabesque^TM is a unique biological control product concept that is at an advanced stage of registration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use within postharvest handling systems of horticultural commodities. The active biological agent is a selected isolate of Muscodor albus anam. sp. Nov. that has been shown to release a broad range of antimicrobial volatiles. The process, termed mycofumigation, has a spectrum of efficacy that includes important postharvest pathogens.

We have recently extended this evaluation and demonstrated efficacy in posharvest decay reduction or prevention of Botrytis cinerea, Geotrichum candidum, Pectobacterium carotovora and Alternaria spp. o­n wounded and non-wounded tomato, bell pepper, and melons. In addition, we have demonstrated up to 5 log-cycle reductions of pathogenic bacteria of concern in the food safety of horticultural products including multiple Salmonella serotypes, Excherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella sonnei, S. boydii and S. flexnerii, and Listeria monocytogenes. Efficacy evaluations are defining the practical limits of treatment and modes of delivery in simulated postharvest handling and transportation situations. Mycofumigation is likely to have broad appeal to grower and handlers of horticultural products at all scales of operation. Preliminary experiments strongly suggest that Arabesque^TM may substantially reduce postharvest losses for bacteria and fungal pathogens. Both conventional and organic producers will likely see this product as compatible to their crop management system. o­ne clear appeal for postharvest applications is that the mode of action involves liberation of a complex of volatiles from a contained substrate. No viable form of the biopesticide will come in contact with the treated product. In addition, many systems of postharvest handling preclude the use of a disinfectant or fungicidal wash step and, therefore, a short-duration ‘fumigation’ will provide an incremental method for reducing crop loss and minimizing the risk of food borne illness for consumers.