Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate hexanoic acid (HA) as an alternative to manage citrus canker. Methods and Results: The minimal growth inhibitory concentration of HA against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri was determined at 2Á15 mmol l −1 using a respiratory activity assay. Growth curves at different pH values showed that growth inhibition was not due to media acidification induced by HA. The germination rate and root elongation of Lactuca sativa seeds exposed to different concentrations of HA (varying from 0Á86 to 5Á16 mmol l −1 ) were assessed to screen for phytotoxicity. The acid exhibited low phytotoxicity for L. sativa at 1Á29 and 2Á58 mmol l −1 . To evaluate the ability of HA to protect citrus against X. citri infection, leaves of Citrus sinensis were sprayed with the acid and subsequently challenged with X. citri. HA at 3Á44 mmol l −1 was able to protect citrus against infection, showing a reduction of three orders of magnitude in the number of citrus canker lesions per cm 2 when compared to the untreated negative control. Conclusion: HA is a potential alternative to copper for citrus canker management. Significance and Impact of the Study: HA inhibits X. citri growth, exhibits low phytotoxicity and is an alternative to copper for the protection of citrus plants against bacterial infection.
Citrus canker is a quarentenary disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri). Thus, sanitization of fresh fruit is a necessary measure before any commercial activity. Therefore, we evaluated the clove essential oil (CEO), as an alternative sanitizer for the disinfection of citrus fruit in packinghouses. Tests in vitro and in vivo were carried out to determine the cell inhibitory concentration and to verify the efficacy of the oil for the disinfection of citrus fruits. In in vitro tests, CEO was able to inhibit X. citri when used at 0.75% (v/v). In experiments that simulate the sanitization process used in packinghouses, 5% CEO was as effective as the recommended sanitization product based on sodium hypochlorite. GC‐MS results showed a high presence of eugenol derivatives as the major compounds of CEO. All results proved that CEO is a potential sanitizer that could be used as an alternative to sodium hypochlorite. Novelty impact statement Experimental evidence shows that the clove essential oil (CEO) has the same sanitization efficacy as sodium hypochlorite, which makes of CEO an alternative sanitizer for the decontamination of citrus fruits to be exported to the European Union. CEO is a safer and more sustainable sanitizer for the postharvest disinfection of citrus fruit.
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