Evaluación del efecto antifúngico de quitosano para el control de podredumbres en mora de Castilla (Rubus glaucus) durante el período poscosecha

Abstract

In this project, the effectiveness of coatings made with different concentrations of chitosan was proved to control rotting in blackberries (Rubus glaucus) during postharvest period. In the first trial, the pathogenic fungi responsible of postharvest rots of blackberries were isolated and purified. Subsequently, these fungi were identified to genus level. To determine the most pathogenic fungi genus, the fruits were artificially inoculated with 3 pathogenic fungi purified. The severity of different pathogenic fungi was calculated using the incidence of disease index (IDI). When the most pathogenic fungi genus was determined, a second trial was effected to prove the effect of different concentrations of chitosan (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%) controlling the rot caused by this pathogenic fungus during postharvest. The physic-chemical and sensory characteristics of coated fruits were evaluated. In the third trial, blackberries were coated with the most effective concentration of chitosan. Microbiological and sensory analyses were performed on the fruits. Eight different fungi genus were obtained. The highest IDI was obtained with Botrytis spp. The most effective treatment for controlling postharvest rots of blackberries was chitosan at 2%. In addition, this coating did not alter the physic-chemical properties of blackberries, and its organoleptic properties were preserved.