The efficacy of combined application of edible coatings and thyme oil in inducing resistance components in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) against anthracnose during post-harvest storage

Avocado fruit has high economic value; however, major post-harvest losses are encountered throughout the supply chain mostly due to anthracnose disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Increasing consumer concern regarding food safety and demand for organically produced fruits makes it necessary to search for natural environmentally friendly alternative products and processes for the fruit industry; particularly in disease control. Antifungal effects of Gum Arabic (GA) (10%), Aloe vera (AL) (2%), chitosan (CH) (1%) alone or in combination with thyme oil (1%) were investigated in vitro. CH + thyme oil and AL + thyme oil 1:1 or 3:1 v/v] showed fungicidal effects while AL, CH, GA and GA + thyme oil 3:1 v/v] showed fungistatic effects on mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides in vitro. CH and AL coatings alone or in combination with thyme oil 3:1 v/v], either as preventative or curative treatments in comparison with commercial treatment (prochloraz, 0.05%) and untreated control were evaluated on incidence and severity (lesion diameter) of anthracnose in vivo. Preventative CH + thyme oil treatments significantly reduced the severity of anthracnose (8.9 mm) compared to thyme oil (12.7 mm), AL + TO (14.4 mm), CH (17.8 mm), AL (20.6 mm), PZ (18.3 mm) and untreated samples (34.8 mm). As curative method, the CH + thyme oil combination also reduced the severity of anthracnose by at least 4 mm compared to the other treatments. The total phenols, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, firmness and flesh colour were also determined. Results showed an increase in peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities and total phenolics with reduced loss of firmness and flesh colour following CH + thyme oil treatments. This investigation recommends CH + thyme oil 3:1 v/v] combination treatment as a suitable alternative to the currently adopted prochloraz applications in controlling anthracnose disease in avocado fruit during storage.