The Preharvest Application of Essential Oils (Carvacrol, Eugenol, and Thymol) Reduces Fungal Decay in Lemons

María Gutiérrez-Pozo, Vicente Serna-Escolano, Marina Giménez-Berenguer, Maria J. Giménez () and Pedro J. Zapata
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María Gutiérrez-Pozo: Department of Food Technology, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, University Miguel Hernández, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Alicante, Spain
Vicente Serna-Escolano: Department of Food Technology, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, University Miguel Hernández, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Alicante, Spain
Marina Giménez-Berenguer: Department of Food Technology, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, University Miguel Hernández, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Alicante, Spain
Maria J. Giménez: Department of Food Technology, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, University Miguel Hernández, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Alicante, Spain
Pedro J. Zapata: Department of Food Technology, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Orihuela, University Miguel Hernández, Ctra. Beniel km 3.2, 03312 Alicante, Spain

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Lemon postharvest losses are mainly due to the presence of fungal diseases. Current postharvest decay strategies rely on synthetic chemical fungicides; however, consumers are demanding that fruit is free of any chemical residue. The use of new natural alternatives, including essential oils, is emerging due to their potential antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the aim of this work is the elucidation of the effect of carvacrol, eugenol, and thymol, individually and in combination, applied in preharvest. Three different concentrations (100, 500, and 1000 µL/mL) of carvacrol, eugenol, and thymol were individually applied and in combination in ‘Fino’ and ‘Verna’ lemon cultivars. The fungal incidence (mainly Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum ) was evaluated weekly for 35 days. Moreover, the main different quality parameters (weight loss, firmness, colour, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and total phenolic content) of lemons were evaluated at harvest and after 35 days of cold storage. The results showed that carvacrol at the lowest concentration (100 µL/L) provided the lowest fungal incidence with a non-negative effect on the lemon quality parameters during storage, while the highest concentrations and the combination of essential oils resulted in the opposite effect. Therefore, carvacrol applied at 100 µL/L in preharvest could be an eco-friendly alternative to the current fungicides to control lemon decay, while maintaining their optimal quality.

Keywords: Citrus limon; fungal incidence; postharvest losses; preharvest treatment; quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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