Edible coatings enriched with biocontrol agents for postharvest Management of Penicillium digitatum in lemons.

BACKGROUND

The worldwide citrus industry faces significant economic losses as a consequence of fungal infections, primarily green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum. In Argentina, a leading lemon producer, these losses pose a substantial challenge to domestic and international markets. Although synthetic fungicides are widely used for green mold control, their effectiveness is hampered by pathogen resistance and growing concerns regarding environmental contamination from chemical residues. These limitations underscore the need for alternative, eco-friendly solutions for postharvest disease control. In this context, the study explores the development of novel edible coatings enriched with biocontrol agents. Specifically, Clavispora lusitaniae (strains AgL21 and 146) and Bacillus velezensis BA3 were combined with alginate and chitosan coatings to evaluate their efficacy in controlling P. digitatum while maintaining fruit quality.

RESULTS

In vitro assays revealed that alginate-based coatings with B. velezensis BA3 exhibited the highest mycelial growth inhibition (93.99%), surpassing chitosan-based formulations. All biocontrol-enriched coatings maintained microbial viability throughout a 15-day storage period. In fruit protection trials, alginate coatings significantly reduced the incidence of green mold, with C. lusitaniae 146 in alginate achieving up to 92.7% disease control. Additionally, quality parameters-including weight loss, pH and total soluble solids-remained generally stable during storage, indicating effective preservation of fruit quality.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential of biocontrol-enriched edible coatings as an eco-friendly and effective solution for postharvest management of citrus fruits, offering a promising alternative to conventional synthetic fungicides. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.