Activity of the Yeasts Cryptococcus laurentii and Rhodotorula glutinis Against Post-harvest Rots on Different Fruits

Biological Control of Post-harvest Disease of Blue Mould (Penicillium expansum) of Pear Fruit by using Antagonist Microorganisms under Laboratory and Cold Storage Conditions

“…Blue mould decays caused by P. expansum Link is one of the major and most important post-harvest disease of pear fruits in the producer countries (Snowdon, 1990;Lima et al,1998, Zhang et al, 2008 and is considered the most important decaying pathogen on stored pears worldwide (Pusey and Wilson,1984;Janisiewicz and Korsten, 2002;Rosenberger, 1990;Wilson et al, 1991). It causes also significant economic losses to the fresh-fruit during storage that impacts fruit destined for processing (Spotts, 1984;Zhang et al, 2008;Batta, 2004).…”

“…Furthermore, patulin causes impairment of kidney functions, oxidative damage, and weakness to the immune system. It also has a negative impact on reproduction in males via interaction with hormone production (Lima et al, 1998;Batta, 2001;Batta, 2003). The fungus can enter the fruit through natural openings, pedicel vascular system (Conway, 1992), lenticels, stem and the calyx ends (Holmes 2005;Snowdon, 1990), or directly through the cuticle and epidermis (Batta, 2001).…”

“…In time, the entire fruit can become dry and mummified under moist conditions, a soft, wet mass (Lima et al, 1998;Holmes, 2005). Accurate diagnosis of postharvest diseases is the first step to implement relevant measures to control the problems (Snowdon, 1990;Rosenberger, 1990;Wilson et al, 1991).…”

“…However, due to the increasing concern for the environment , public safety , and demand for healthy food (Rosenberger, 1990;Lima et al, 1998), resulted in cancellation some of the most effective fungicides and develop alternative control method that should be both effective and economically feasible (Liske et al, 1996;Janisiewicz and Korsten, 2002).…”

“…Progress has been made particularly in postharvest of pome fruits (Janisiewicz, 1997). Blue mold and blue mold decay of apples and pears, caused by Botrytis cinerea and P. expansum, respectively, have been controlled by bacterial and yeast antagonists (Janisiewicz, 1998;Janisiewicz and Marchi, 1992;Lima et al, 1998) have been obtained good results by applying antagonists on fruit surface (Janisiewicz, 1987). Some components of the microbial community present on the surface of fruit, such as bacteria and yeasts showed a significant antagonistic activity against P. expansum of blue mould on apple and pear fruits (Fravel, 2002;Janisiewicz and Korsten, 2002;Droby et al, 2009;Wilson and Pusey, 1985).…”