Influence of Mineral Particle Films and Biomaterials on Guava Fruits and Implications for the Oviposition of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835) is an important pest of tropical fruits, especially Anacardiaceae and Myrtaceae, in the Americas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of mineral films and biomaterials on the coloring of guava fruits (Psidium guajava L.) and implications for the oviposition of A. obliqua. Before the bioassays, color, firmness characteristics, total soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity were determined to characterize the maturation stage of the fruits. Pieces of guava fruit covered in aluminum foil were immersed in suspensions of mineral particles (Surround® WP kaolin; kaolins 605, 607, 608, and 611; and talc) and biomaterials (chitosan, cassava and potato starch, and guar gum) and distilled water (control). After drying, the fruits were exposed to two A. obliqua pairs for 48 h in choice and non-choice tests, and the numbers of eggs per fruit were counted. Mineral films (Surround® WP kaolin, and kaolins 605, 607, 608, and 611) and biomaterials (cassava and potato starch) interfered with the color of guava (luminosity, chroma, and hue angle), inhibiting the oviposition of A. obliqua. Talc, chitosan, and guar gum did not influence the oviposition of A. obliqua in guava.

Can the use of particle films for fruit protection against medfly alter the behavior of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata?

“…After applying the treatments to the fruits, all films significantly increased the luminosity, only kaolin 607 significantly increased the hue angle, and chroma was differentially affected (Kaolin Surround WP and Kaolin 608 decreased chroma, whereas Kaolin 607 increased chroma compared to the control), thus indicating that the kaolin treatments led to color changes in the grapes. Previous studies on kaolin‐based films applied to grapes and guavas also reported color changes in treated fruits (luminosity, chroma, and color angle) (Da Costa et al., 2021a,b).…”

“…The kaolin particles were dispersed in distilled water at 200 g L −1 . Guar gum was added to all treatments at 5 g L −1 to improve the viscosity and stability of the suspensions (Campos et al., 2015; Gao et al., 2020; Da Costa et al., 2021a,b). Kaolin Surround WP was obtained from NovaSource (Phoenix, AZ, USA); kaolin 607 and 608 from Brasilminas (São Paulo, Brazil); and guar gum from Mercadão Natural (São Paulo, Brazil).…”

“…Plants covered with films are altered from a visual and tactile point of view, interrupting the process of localization and acceptance of the host plant by insects, thereby reducing their infestation (Showler, 2002; Silva & Ramalho, 2013; Gonçalves et al., 2015). The resulting color changes in fruits reduce the oviposition of fruit flies such as C. capitata and Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Da Costa et al., 2021a,b). Several studies, both in the laboratory and the field, highlighted kaolin films as an important tool for the management of C. capitata in apple (Mazor & Erez, 2004; Leskey et al., 2010), nectarine (Mazor & Erez, 2004; D'Aquino et al., 2011), citrus, peach (D'Aquino et al., 2011), and cactus pear (D'Aquino et al., 2021); of Rhagoletis mendax Curran in blueberry (Lemoyne et al., 2008); and of Rhagoletis indifferens Curran in cherry (Yee, 2012).…”

Tara Gum Coating with Embedded ZnO Nanostructures for Increased Postharvest Guava Shelf Life

“…Brazil is the third-largest producer of fruits in the world, the seventh-largest producer of guava, and the world's largest producer of red guava. 1 However, Brazilian guava production is mainly destined for the domestic market, as only 0.06% of the production is exported. 2 One of the biggest limitations for exportation is the high perishability of the fruit due to its high metabolic rate and the need for rigorous phytosanitary treatment.…”

“…Guava is a tropical and subtropical fruit that stands out for its high nutritional value and flavor. Brazil is the third-largest producer of fruits in the world, the seventh-largest producer of guava, and the world’s largest producer of red guava . However, Brazilian guava production is mainly destined for the domestic market, as only 0.06% of the production is exported .…”