Wu Guangwei, Fan Chenqi, Zang Xueqian, Wang Bei, Chen Yanli, Kou Jingjing, Zhu Guopeng
School of Breeding and Multiplication, Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication, Hainan University, Sanya 572025, China.
Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
Foods. 2025 Apr 5;14(7):1273. doi: 10.3390/foods14071273.
Soft rotting caused by is one of the most important postharvest decays in Kokei No. 14 organic sweet potato roots. While various methods have been explored for controlling this pathogen, there remains a need for effective, safe, and applicable alternatives, particularly using essential oils (EOs). This study evaluated the efficacy of EOs, specifically carvacrol, thymol, and thyme oil, in controlling soft rot. We conducted both in vitro and in vivo tests to assess their effects on fungal mycelial growth, spore germination, and the incidence and severity of soft rot in sweet potatoes, along with quality evaluations of the roots. The results indicated that the vapor phase of carvacrol, thymol, and thyme oil was more effective than the contact phase in inhibiting fungal growth and spore germination. In vivo tests revealed that all three EOs significantly reduced the incidence and severity of soft rot, with thymol and thyme oil at 300 mg/L, and carvacrol at 500 mg/L being the most effective. Quality assessments showed minimal impact on properties such as firmness, weight loss, color, starch, carotenoids, and flavonoids, although residual odors increased. GC/MS analysis confirmed that thyme oil contained high levels of both thymol and carvacrol, along with other antimicrobial compounds, suggesting that the cumulative activity of these volatile compounds enhanced their bacteriostatic effects. Thyme oil demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing soft rot development compared to its individual components, making it a promising biofumigant for controlling postharvest diseases in Kokei No. 14 organic sweet potato roots. These findings emphasized the potential for using thyme oil as a safe and effective approach to managing postharvest decay.
由[病原体名称未给出]引起的软腐病是小系14号有机甘薯块根采后最重要的病害之一。虽然已经探索了各种控制这种病原体的方法，但仍然需要有效、安全且适用的替代方法，特别是使用香精油（EOs）。本研究评估了香精油，特别是香芹酚、百里香酚和百里香油在控制[病原体名称未给出]软腐病方面的功效。我们进行了体外和体内试验，以评估它们对真菌菌丝生长、孢子萌发以及甘薯软腐病的发病率和严重程度的影响，同时对块根进行了品质评估。结果表明，香芹酚、百里香酚和百里香油的气相在抑制真菌生长和孢子萌发方面比接触相更有效。体内试验表明，所有三种香精油都显著降低了软腐病的发病率和严重程度，其中百里香酚和百里香油在300 mg/L时，香芹酚在500 mg/L时效果最为显著。品质评估显示，虽然残留气味增加，但对硬度、失重、颜色、淀粉、类胡萝卜素和黄酮类等特性的影响最小。气相色谱/质谱分析证实，百里香油含有高水平的百里香酚和香芹酚以及其他抗菌化合物，表明这些挥发性化合物的累积活性增强了它们的抑菌作用。与百里香油的单一成分相比，百里香油在减少软腐病发展方面表现出更大的功效，使其成为控制小系14号有机甘薯块根采后病害的一种有前途的生物熏蒸剂。这些发现强调了使用百里香油作为管理采后腐烂的安全有效方法的潜力。
