Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Plant Essential Oils as Antifungal Treatments on the Postharvest of Fruit and Vegetables

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Antifungal Metabolites from Plants

Abstract

Food safety is one of the major issues related to fresh fruit and vegetables. Microbial growth is one of the most important causes of postharvest fruit losses, being fungi the main causal agent associated with the postharvest diseases. The preservation of the ‘freshness’ quality of these products is relevant due to their economical impact. As an alternative to synthetic preservatives, natural antimicrobial agents have attracted the attention of modern consumers and the fresh produce industry. Particularly, natural antimicrobials based on plant essential oils are gaining support. This chapter is a comprehensive review of the use of essential oils from different sources and their constituents on the control of postharvest fungal decay and overall quality preservation of fresh fruit and vegetables. Emphasis has been on the sources of essential oils and their constituents studied up to now, and their effects on controlling postharvest fungal decay, either in vitro or in vivo, and their effect on overall quality and storage life of fresh commodities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anthony S, Abeywickrama K, Wijeratnam SW (2003) The effect of spraying essential oils Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon flexuosus and Ocimum basilicum on postharvest diseases and storage life of Embul banana. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 78:780–785

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala JF, Wang SY, Wang CY, Gonzalez-Aguilar GA (2005) Methyl jasmonate in conjunction with ethanol treatment increases antioxidant capacity, volatile compounds and postharvest life of strawberry fruit. Eur Food Res Technol 221:731–738

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala JF, del Toro-Sánchez L, Alvarez-Parrilla E, Soto-Valdez H, Martín-Belloso O, Ruiz-Cruz S, González-Aguilar GA (2008a) Natural antimicrobial agents incorporated in active packaging to preserve the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. Stewart Postharvest Rev 4:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala JF, Del-Toro-Sánchez L, Alvarez-Parrilla E, González-Aguilar GA (2008b) High relative humidity in-package of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables: advantage or disadvantage considering microbiological problems and antimicrobial delivering systems? J Food Sci 73:R41–R47

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala JF, Oms-Oliu G, Odriozola-Serrano I, Gonzalez-Aguilar GA, Alvarez-Parrilla E, Martin-Belloso O (2008c) Bio-preservation of fresh-cut tomatoes using natural antimicrobials. Eur Food Res Technol 226:1047–1055

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayala-Zavala JF, Soto-Valdez H, González-León A, Alvarez-Parrilla E, Martín-Belloso O, González-Aguilar GA (2008d) Microencapsulation of cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils in betacyclodextrin. J Incl Phenom Macrocycl Chem 60:359–368

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bajpai VK, Shukla S, Kang SC (2008) Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil and various extract of Silene armeria L. Bioresource Technol 99(18):8903–8908

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Batu A (2003) Temperature effects on fruit quality of mature green tomatoes during controlled atmosphere storage. Int J Food Sci Nutr 54:201–208

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bautista-Banos S, Hernandez-Lauzardo AN, Velázquez-del Valle MG, Hernandez-Lopez M, Ait-Barka E, Bosquez-Molina E, Wilson CL (2006) Chitosan as a potential natural compound to control pre and postharvest diseases of horticultural commodities. Crop Prot 25:108–118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Betts TJ (2001) Chemical characterization of the different types of volatile oil constituents by various solute retention ratios with the use of conventional and novel commercial gas chromatographic stationary phases. J Chromatogr A 936:33–46

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bokshi AI, Morris SC, McConchie R (2007) Environmentally-safe control of postharvest diseases of melons (Cucumis melo) by integrating heat treatment, safe chemicals and systemic acquired resistance. N Z J Crop Hort 35:179–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchra C, Achouri M, Hassani LMI, Hmamouchi M (2003) Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oils of seven Moroccan Labiatae against Botrytis cinerea Pers. J Ethnopharmacol 89:165–169

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bowles EJ (2003) The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils. Allen & Unwin, ISBN 174114051X

    Google Scholar 

  • Burt SA (2004) Essential oils: their antibacterial properties and potential applications in foods—a review. Int J Food Microbiol 94:223–253

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burt SA, Vlielander R, Haagsman HP, Veldhuizen EJA (2005) Increase in activity of essential oil components carvacrol and thymol against Escherichia coli O157:H7 by addition of food stabilizers. J Food Prot 68:919–926

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Charles MT, Tano K, Asselin A, Arul J (2009) Physiological basis of UV-C induced resistance to Botrytis cinerea in tomato fruit. Constitutive defense enzymes and inducible pathogenesis-related proteins. Postharvest Biol Technol 51:414–424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corbo MR, Bevilacqua A, Campaniello D, d’Amato D, Speranza B, Sinigaglia M (2009) Prolonging microbial shelf life of foods through the use of natural compounds and nonthermal approaches—a review. Int J Food Sci Technol 44:223–241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croteau R, Kutchan TM, Lewis NG (2000) Natural products (secondary metabolites). In: Buchanan B, Gruissem W, Jones R (eds) Biochemistry and molecular biology of plants. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Rockville, pp 1250–1318

    Google Scholar 

  • DeEll JR, Toivonen PMA, Doussineau J, Roger C, Vigneault C (2003) Effect of different methods for application of an antifog shrink film to maintain cauliflower quality during storage. J Food Qual 26:211–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Toro-Sánchez CL, Ayala-Zavala JF, Machi L, Santacruz H, Villegas-Ochoa MA, Alvarez-Parrilla E, González-Aguilar GA (2010) Controlled release of antifungal volatiles of thyme essential oil from b-cyclodextrin capsules. J Incl Phenom Macrocycl Chem 67:431–441

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demo M, de Las M, Olivia M, Lopez ML, Zunino MP, Zygadlo JA (2005) Antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from aromatic plants of Argentina. Pharm Biol 43:129–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Droby S, Porat R, Cohen L, Weiss B, Shapiro B, Philosoph-Hada S, Meir S (1999) Suppressing green mold decay in grapefruit with postharvest jasmonate application. J Am Soc Hort Sci 124:184–188

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drzyzga O (2003) Diphenylamine and derivatives in the environment: a review. Chemosphere 53:809–818

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng W, Zheng X (2007) Essential oils to control Alternaria alternata in vitro and in vivo. Food Control 18:1126–1130

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher K, Phillips C (2008) Potential antimicrobial uses of essential oils in food: is citrus the answer? Trends Food Sci Technol 19:156–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez PA, Artes F (2004) Controlled atmospheres enhance postharvest green celery quality. Postharvest Biol Technol 34:203–209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • González-Aguilar GA, Tiznado-Hernandez M, Wang C-Y (2006) Physiological and biochemical responses of horticultural products to methyl jasmonate. Stewart Postharvest Rev 2:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutierrez J, Barry-Ryan C, Bourke P (2008) The antimicrobial efficacy of plant essential oil combinations and interactions with food ingredients. Int J Food Microbiol 124:91–97

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hammer KA, Carson CF, Riley TV (2001) Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts. J Appl Microbiol 86:985–990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harker FR, Gunson FA, Jaeger SR (2003) The case for fruit quality: an interpretative review of consumer attitudes, and preferences for apples. Postharvest Biol Technol 28:333–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isman MB (2000) Plant essential oils for pest and disease management. Crop Prot 19:603–608

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jobling J (2000) Essential oils: a new idea for postharvest disease control. Good Fruit Vegetables Mag 11:50

    Google Scholar 

  • Ju Z, Duan Y, Ju Z (2000) Plant oil emulsion modifies internal atmosphere, delays fruit ripening, and inhibits internal browning in Chinese pears. Postharvest Biol Technol 20:243–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim H, Chen F, Wu C, Wang X, Chung H, Jin Z (2004) Evaluation of antioxidant activity of Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil and its components. J Agric Food Chem 52:2849–2854

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kulisic T, Radonic A, Katalinic V, Milos M (2004) Analytical, nutritional and clinical methods use of different methods for testing antioxidative activity of oregano essential oil. Food Chem 85:633–640

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kushalappa AC, Zulfiqar M (2001) Effect of wet incubation time and temperature on infection, and of storage time and temperature on soft lesion expansion in potatoes inoculated with Erwinia Carotovora ssp. Carotovora. Potato Res 44:233–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lingk W (1991) Health risk evaluation of pesticide contaminations in drinking water. Gesunde Pflanz 43:21–25

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mari M, Guizzardi M (1998) The postharvest phase: emerging technologies for the control of fungal diseases. Phytoparasitica 26:59–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Romero D, Castillo S, Valverde JM, Guillen F, Valero D, Serrano M (2005) The use of natural aromatic essential oils helps to maintain postharvest quality of ‘Crimson’ table grapes. Acta Hort 682:1723–1729

    Google Scholar 

  • Mau J, Laib E, Wang N, Chen C, Chang C, Chyau C (2003) Composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil from Curcuma zedoaria. Food Chem 82:583–591

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miguel G, Simones M, Figueiredo A, Barroso J, Pedro L, Carvalho L (2004) Composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Thymus caespititius, Thymus camphorates and Thymus mastichina. Food Chem 86:183–188

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mimica-Dukic N, Bozin B, Sokovic M, Mihajlovic B, Matavulj M (2003) Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of three Mentha species essential oils. Planta Med 69:413–419

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mimica-Dukic N, Bozin B, Sokovic M, Simin N (2004) Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil. J Agric Food Chem 52:2485–2489

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen PV, Rios R (2000) Inhibition of fungal growth on bread by volatile components from species and herbs, and the possible application in active packaging, with special emphasis on mustard essential oil. Int J Food Microbiol 60:219–229

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nuchas GE, Tassou CC (2000) Traditional preservatives: oils and spices. In: Robinson RK, Batt CA, Patel PD (eds) Encyclopedia of food microbiology. Academic Press, London, pp 1717–1722

    Google Scholar 

  • Pichersky E, Noel JP, Dudareva N (2006) Biosynthesis of plant volatiles: nature’s diversity and ingenuity. Science 311:808–811

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Plotto A, Roberts DD, Roberts RG (2003) Evaluation of plant essential oils as natural postharvest disease control of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). Acta Hort 628:737–745

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ranasinghe L, Jayawardena B, Abeywickrama K (2002) Fungicidal activity of essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (L.) and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr et L.M. Perry against crown rot and anthracnose pathogens isolated from banana. Lett Appl Microbiol 35:208–211

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rapp RP (2004) Changing strategies for the management of invasive fungal infections. Pharmacotherapy 24:4–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roller S, Lusengo J (1997) Developments in natural food preservatives. Agro Food Industry Hi-Tech 8:22–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh G, Singh OP, Maurya S (2002) Chemical and biocidal investigations on essential oils on some Indian Curcuma species. Prog Cryst Growth Charact 45:75–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smid EJ, Witte Y, Gorris LGM (1995) Secondary plant metabolites as control agents of postharvest Penicillium rot on tulip bulbs. Postharvest Biol Technol 6:303–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sokmen A, Gulluce M, Akpulat A (2004) The in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oils and methanol extracts of endemic Thymus spathulifolius. Food Control 15:627–634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tepe B, Donmez E, Unlub M (2004) Antimicrobial and antioxidative activities of the essential oils and methanol extracts of Salvia cryptantha (Montbret et Aucher ex Benth.) and Salvia multicaulis (Vahl). Food Chem 84:519–525

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tepe B, Sokmen M, Akpulat A, Daferera D, Polissiou M, Sokmen A (2005) Antioxidative activity of the essential oils of Thymus sipyleus subsp. sipyleus var. sipyleus and Thymus sipyleus subsp. sipyleus var. rosulans. J Food Eng 66:447–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terry LA, Joyce DC (2004) Elicitors of induced disease resistance in postharvest horticultural crops: a brief review. Postharvest Biol Technol 32:1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomaino A, Cimino F, Zimbalatti V (2005) Influence of heating on antioxidant activity and the chemical composition of some spice essential oils. Food Chem 89:549–554

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tournas VH (2005) Spoilage of vegetable crops by bacteria and fungi and related health hazards. Crit Rev Microbiol 31:33–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi P, Dubey NK (2004) Exploitation of natural products as an alternative strategy to control post harvest fungal rotting of fruit and vegetables. Postharvest Biol Technol 32:235–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tripathi P, Dubey NK, Shukla AK (2008) Use of some essential oils as post-harvest botanical fungicides inthemanagement of greymould of grapes caused by Botrytis cinerea. World J Microbiol Biotech 24:39–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Troncoso-Rojas R and Tiznado-Hernández ME (2007) Natural compounds to control fungal postharvest diseases. In: Troncoso-Rojas R, Tiznado-Hernández M, González-León A (eds) Recent advances in alternative postharvest technologies to control fungal diseases in fruit and vegetables. Research Signpost, Trivandrum-695 023, Kerala, India pp 127–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsao R, Zhou T (2000) Interaction of monoterpenoids, methyl jasmonate, and Ca2+ in controlling postharvest brown rot of sweet cherry. HortScience 35:1304–1307

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tzortzakis NG (2007) Maintaining postharvest quality of fresh produce with volatile compounds. Innovative Food Sci Emerg 8:111–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tzortzakis NG, Economakis CM (2007) Antifungal activity of lemongrass (Cympopogon citratus L.) essential oil against key postharvest pathogens. Innovative Food Sci Emerg 8:253–258

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uritani I (1999) Biochemistry on postharvest metabolism and deterioration of some tropical tuberous crops. Bot Bull Acad Sinica 40:177–183

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wade WN, Beuchat LR (2003) Proteolytic fungi isolated from decayed and damaged tomatoes and implications associated with changes in pericarp pH favorable for survival and growth of foodborne pathogens. J Food Prot 66:911–917

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • White JML, McFadden JP (2008) Contact allergens in food ingredients and additives: atopy and the hapten-atopy hypothesis. Contact Dermatitis 58:245–246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiley RC (2000) Minimally processed refrigerated fruits and vegetables. Chapman & Hall, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wisniewski ME, Basset CL, Artlip TS, Webb RP, Janisiewickz WJ, Norelli JL, Goldway M, Droby S (2003) Characterization of a defensin in bark and fruit tissues of peach and antimicrobial activity of a recombinant defensin in the yeast, Pichia pastoris. Physiol Plant 119:563–572

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao HJ, Tian SP (2005) Effects of biocontrol agent and methyl jasmonate on postharvest diseases of peach fruit and the possible mechanisms involved. J Appl Microbiol 98:941–950

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Nakano K, Maezawa S (2009) Comparison of the antioxidant enzymes of broccoli after cold or heat shock treatment at different storage temperatures. Postharvest Biol Technol 54:101–105

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD, AC) Carretera a La Victoria Km. 0.6, A.P. 1735, 83000, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

    Gustavo A. González-Aguilar & Jesús F. Ayala-Zavala

  2. Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería en Alimentos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    María Roberta Ansorena, Gabriela E. Viacava & Sara I. Roura

  3. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina

    María Roberta Ansorena, Gabriela E. Viacava & Sara I. Roura

Authors
  1. Gustavo A. González-Aguilar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. María Roberta Ansorena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gabriela E. Viacava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sara I. Roura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jesús F. Ayala-Zavala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gustavo A. González-Aguilar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh

  2. , Dept. Biotechnology, SGB Amravati University, Amravati, 444602, Maharashtra, India

    Mahendra Rai

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

González-Aguilar, G.A., Ansorena, M.R., Viacava, G.E., Roura, S.I., Ayala-Zavala, J.F. (2013). Plant Essential Oils as Antifungal Treatments on the Postharvest of Fruit and Vegetables. In: Razzaghi-Abyaneh, M., Rai, M. (eds) Antifungal Metabolites from Plants. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38076-1_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation