Artículo original Actividad antifúngica del aceite esencial de naranja (Citrus sinensis L.) sobre hongos postcosecha en frutos de lechosa (Carica papaya L.)

Post-harvest fungi produce rotting that affects the quality of papaya fruits (Carica papaya L.) At present, essential oils are considered an alternative to chemical anti-fungal substances for controlling these fungi. In this study we evaluated the antifungal activity of essential orange oil (Citrus sinensis L.) over Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Penicillum indicum, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus flavus, in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) culture medium in a completely random design. The results showed that there is an inhibitory effect of essential orange oil (EOO) over the in vitro mycelium growth of fungi, higher than 80% at a 1% EOO concentration and 100% inhibition at 2.5% and 5% EOO concentrations (p<0.05). When used as covering over the fruits at 2.5% and 5% concentrations, it decreased the presence of lesions without significant differences (p<0.05), with similar effectiveness in vitro and in vivo. EOO can be a feasible alternative for the natural and effective control of post-harvest fungi, which cause great losses in exportation and consumption fruits.