Effects of ozone, iodine and chlorine on spore germination of fungi isolated from mango fruits.
Barbosa-Martínez C., León-García L. P. de, Sepúlveda-Sánchez J., Nieto-Angel D.
Author Affiliation: Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, México, D.F., C.P. 09340, Mexico.
Revista Mexicana de Fitopatología 20 : 60-65
Abstract : Mango diseases are mainly controlled by integrated programmes, including alternative disease prevention and strategies using agrochemicals. For several years, the food industry has used chlorine applications due to their oxidizing properties. The aim of this work was to compare the effect of ozone, iodine and chlorine in aqueous solutions on spore germination of four important decay fungi isolated from mango fruit: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata], Pestalotiopsis mangiferae, Fusarium oxysporum and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The application of 2.2 mg/litre ozone for an exposure time of 15 minutes, effectively inhibited the germination of C. gloeosporioides and F. oxysporum, and to a lesser extent of L. theobromae. Chlorine and iodine at 360 mg/litre and 500 mg/litre, respectively, exhibited similar results than ozone, eliminating 100% spores of C. gloeosporioides and F. oxysporum, but only between 10-40% of L. theobromae. Chlorine was the most effective agent against P. mangiferae. The quality of mango fruits was not affected by ozone and iodine solutions as indicated by physiological weight loss, total soluble solids, firmness and colour.