Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) is known to be a strong antifungal compound in vitro against different fungi. The effectiveness of benzyl isothiocyanate to control Alternaria alternata growth in vitro and in vivo was tested. BITC in vitro activity was evaluated in A alternata growing on potato dextrose agar and exposed to 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg ml −1 . In vivo activity was evaluated by exposing A alternata-inoculated tomato fruits for either 18 or 36 h to 0.28 or 0.56 mg ml −1 BITC packed on low-density polyethylene film (LDPF) bags. Additionally, the effect of BITC on post-harvest physiology and tomato quality throughout storage at 20 • C was evaluated daily by monitoring respiration rate and ethylene production, whereas total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and fresh weight loss were measured every 3 days. Results showed that the minimal inhibitory concentration of BITC in vitro was 0.1 mg ml −1 . A combined use of 0.56 mg ml −1 BITC with LDPF for 18 h was the optimum treatment to control Alternaria rot in packed tomato fruit. No effect of BITC on respiration rate, ethylene production, total soluble solids, pH, weight loss and titratable acidity was observed. Results suggest that BITC can be used as a post-harvest treatment to control Alternaria rot in tomato fruit without detrimental effects on the tomato post-harvest quality.

Establishment of an efficient explants surface disinfection protocol is essential for in vitro cell and tissue culture as well as germplasm conservation, such as the case of Grapevine (Vitis spp.) culture. In this research, different procedures for disinfection and regeneration of field-grown grapevine cv. ‘Flame seedless’ axillary buds were evaluated. The buds were disinfected using either NaOCl or allyl, benzyl, phenyl and 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanates. Two different media for shooting and four media for rooting were tested. Shoot and root development per buds were registered. The best disinfection procedure with 90 % of tissue survival involved shaking for 60 min in a solution containing 20 % Clorox with 50 drops/L Triton® X-100. These tissues showed the potential to regenerate a complete plant. Plant regeneration was conducted using full strength Murashigue and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 8 µM benzyl aminopurine for shoot induction and multiplication, whereas rooting was obtained on half strength MS supplemented with 2 mg L−1 of indole-3-butyric acid and 200 mg L−1 of activated charcoal. In this work, it was designed the protocols for obtaining sterile field-grown grapevine buds and in vitro plant development. This methodology showed potential to produce vigorous and healthy plants in 5 weeks for clonal grapevine propagation. Regenerated plants were successfully established in soil.

Chemical fungicides that are related with resistant strains develop negative effects on human health and environment. Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees with positive effects on human health and inhibitory activity against Alternaria alternata. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a component of the propolis. The objective of this experiment was to test the effect of CAPE on fungi infecting tomato fruit using as a model the pathosystem A. alternata-tomato. CAPE was chemically synthesized in our laboratory and analysed with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Different concentrations (0, 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 90 and 100 lm) of CAPE were tested on A.

This chapter presents a review of the occurrence, biochemistry, analytical methods for detection and quantification, content of isothiocyanates as natural compounds produced by crops and the use of the isothiocyanates for disease control in horticultural crops. A model of the molecular mechanism of fungal adaptation to isothiocyanates is also presented.

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