Inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Control of Postharvest Anthracnose Disease on Mango Fruit Using Propionic Acid Combined with Bee-Carnauba Wax Emulsion

Abstract

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the most significant postharvest disease of mangos and negatively affect handling and marketing of mango fruits in Vietnam. A mixture of bee-carnauba wax and propionic acid has successfully inhibited linear growth and spore germination of C. gloeosporioides (in vitro) and prevented anthracnose diseases of mango fruits (in vivo). A complete reduction in mycelial growth and spore germination was observed when a mixture of 0.09% propionic acid and 8% bee-carnauba wax was used. Similar results were shown on mango fruits treated with 0.12% propionic acid which obtained a highly protective effect against anthracnose disease. The results of this study revealed that propionic acid could be used as a safe fungicide alternative against anthracnose disease, which causes economic losses during transportation, marketing and storage.