Consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of regular consumption of fresh fruit in their diet. Since fresh fruit are highly sensitive to postharvest decay, several investigations focused on the study natural compounds alternative to synthetic fungicides, to extend their shelf life. A long list of studies reported the effectiveness of the natural biopolymer chitosan in control of postharvest diseases of fresh fruit. However, these findings remain controversial, with many mixed claims in the literature. In this work, we used random-effects meta-analysis to investigate the effects of 1% chitosan on (a) postharvest decay incidence; (b) mycelium growth of fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium spp., Colletotrichum spp. and Alternaria spp.; and (c) phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities. Chitosan significantly reduced postharvest disease incidence (mean difference [MD], −30.22; p < 0.00001) and in vitro mycelium growth (MD, −54.32; p < 0.00001). For host defense responses, there were significantly increased activities of β-1,3-glucanase (MD, 115.06; p = 0.003) and chitinase (MD, 75.95; p < 0.0002). This systematic review contributes to confirm the multiple mechanisms of mechanisms of action of chitosan, which has unique properties in the natural compound panorama. Chitosan thus represents a model plant protection biopolymer for sustainable control of postharvest decay of fresh fruit.

Chitosan and postharvest decay of fresh fruit: Meta-analysis of disease control and antimicrobial and eliciting activities / Rajestary, R.; Landi, L.; Romanazzi, G.. - In: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY. - ISSN 1541-4337. - 20:1(2021), pp. 563-582. [10.1111/1541-4337.12672]

Chitosan and postharvest decay of fresh fruit: Meta-analysis of disease control and antimicrobial and eliciting activities

Landi L.
Co-primo
Writing – Review & Editing
;
Romanazzi G.
Ultimo
Supervision
2021-01-01

Abstract

Consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of regular consumption of fresh fruit in their diet. Since fresh fruit are highly sensitive to postharvest decay, several investigations focused on the study natural compounds alternative to synthetic fungicides, to extend their shelf life. A long list of studies reported the effectiveness of the natural biopolymer chitosan in control of postharvest diseases of fresh fruit. However, these findings remain controversial, with many mixed claims in the literature. In this work, we used random-effects meta-analysis to investigate the effects of 1% chitosan on (a) postharvest decay incidence; (b) mycelium growth of fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium spp., Colletotrichum spp. and Alternaria spp.; and (c) phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities. Chitosan significantly reduced postharvest disease incidence (mean difference [MD], −30.22; p < 0.00001) and in vitro mycelium growth (MD, −54.32; p < 0.00001). For host defense responses, there were significantly increased activities of β-1,3-glucanase (MD, 115.06; p = 0.003) and chitinase (MD, 75.95; p < 0.0002). This systematic review contributes to confirm the multiple mechanisms of mechanisms of action of chitosan, which has unique properties in the natural compound panorama. Chitosan thus represents a model plant protection biopolymer for sustainable control of postharvest decay of fresh fruit.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Rajestary_Chitosan-postharvest-decay-fresh-fruit_2021.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (versione pubblicata con il layout dell'editore)
Licenza d'uso: Tutti i diritti riservati
Dimensione 2.55 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.55 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11566/286700
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 10
  • Scopus 51
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 44
social impact