PJB-2023-330
Antagonistic activity of epiphytic yeast against postharvest fungal pathogens & its efficacy against postharvest quantitative and qualitative losses in stored tomato fruit (Lycopersico
Habiba
Abstract
An assessment was performed to study the antagonistic activity of epiphytic yeast isolates against post-harvest pathogen of tomato fruit including Fusarium solani and Alternaria alternata along with the study of their impact on the compositional attributes of stored tomato fruit. Epiphytic yeast isolates: HAB-31, 35, 44, 45, 47, 48, 51 and 53 were made into aqueous suspension having concentration of 107 CFU/mL were applied on partially ripened tomato fruits. Fruits treated with potassium sorbate (K-sorbate) having concentration of 1 % served as positive control set. The storage temperature was 18±2 ºC while relative humidity during 15 days of storage ranged from 20%-75 %. During the period of study, samples were determined after 5 days interval for changes in chemical and physical properties such as TSS (total soluble solids), PLW (physiological loss in weight), pH, firmness, TA (total titratable acidity), and LC (lycopene content) and percent decay. Epiphytic yeast isolates have the radial growth of Fusarium solani and Alternaria alternata in in-vitro conditions. However, in postharvest application, low PLW, TSS and decay percentage was observed. Firmness was high in yeast treated fruits in comparison to control set however, the Lycopene content was higher in control however, less lycopene content was noted in fruits treated with HAB-31 followed by in HAB-51 on day 15. Decaying of tomato fruit was maximum in control and positive control compared with the yeast treated fruits. This study suggests that postharvest storage life and quality of tomato fruit can be maintained by utilizing epiphytic yeast. Since yeast is known to be the most suitable and potent biocontrol agent for controlling postharvest losses.
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