Effect of electrolyzed oxidizing water on the control of postharvest diseases in tropical fruits

Abstract

Electrolyzed oxidizing water is an eco-friendly emerging technology considered as a novel broad-spectrum sanitizer. The efficacy of electrolyzed oxidizing water against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillium italicum at different concentrations of free chlorine (0.5, 1, 6, 12, and 30 ppm) was evaluated. The results showed that at concentrations of 6, 12, and 30 ppm of free chlorine the mycelial growth, sporulation and germination process were totally inhibited in the strains tested. The inoculated fruit application of treatments by applying 30 ppm of free chlorine presented the best results for fungus control on artificially inoculated banana, papaya, and Persian lime fruits. The fruit quality (weight loss, TSS, pH, titratable acidity) was also evaluated. The application of electrolyzed oxidizing water had not negative impact on fruit quality. The results obtained confirm the antifungal activity of electrolyzed oxidizing water against the strains tested, as well as its capacity to cure infected fruits.