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Effect of benzyl isothiocyanate on tomato fruit infection development by Alternaria alternata
Author(s) -
TroncosoRojas R,
SánchezEstrada A,
Ruelas C,
García Hugo S,
TiznadoHernández ME
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2129
Subject(s) - benzyl isothiocyanate , titratable acid , alternaria alternata , allyl isothiocyanate , horticulture , chemistry , respiration rate , food science , botany , respiration , biology , isothiocyanate , biochemistry
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. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry