Antifungal Coatings on Fresh Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) to Control Mold Growth During Cold Storage

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2005.tb07189.x
• Publication Date: 2010-08-10T17:48:35Z
• Authors: Su-IL Park; Siliva D. Stan; Mark A. Daeschel; Yanyun Zhao
• Keywords: Cladosporium; Rhizopus; Bacterial growth; Fragaria

ABSTRACT: Chitosan (2%) -based or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (1%) coatings were applied on fresh strawberries to evaluate their antifungal efficacies against Cladosporium sp. and Rhizopus Potassium sorbate (PS) was also incorporated into coating formulas any additional inhibitory effects mold inhibition. Strawberries inoculated with at a level of approximately 103 log colony-forming units (CFU) /g, coated 2% chitosan, chitosan containing 0.3% PS, 1% HPMC stored about 5°C 50% RH up 23 d for enumeration mold, yeast, total aerobes, coli forms. To assess activity the materials in vitro, solutions embedded agar plates diameters radial growth measured after inoculation. In addition, weight loss water vapor permeability measured. No significant combined between PS fungal detected. However, inhibition observed vitro testing when formulated chitosan. Antifungal not affected by autoclaving process solutions. Coating treatment reduced aerobic count, coliforms, during storage. Hence, can be used as natural antimicrobial control fungi, thus extending shelf-life fruits.