Alternative control of Penicillium in orange ‘Pêra’

Abstract

Citrus fruits are affected by post-harvest fungal infestations, mainly by the genus Penicillium,
which causes several damages to the fruit. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze
the effect of alternative treatments on Penicillium in orange post harvest ‘Pêra’. Thirty oranges
were selected in a local supermarket, divided into six treatments, control (without control
agent), water, sodium hypochlorite, 30 min UV, 15 min UV and clove oil, in five replicates. The
oranges underwent surface cleaning with washing under running water, then sprayed with spore
solution of the fungus Penicillium, later submitted to treatments and placed in polyethylene
trays, which were stored in a growth room at 24 ± 2ºC and 12 hour photoperiod. The level of
contamination was determined visually for a period of 4 weeks. The only promising treatment
in the control of Penicillium in post-harvest ‘Pêra’ orange was sodium hypochlorite.