Abstract

HERNANDEZ-LAUZARDO, Ana Niurka et al. Antifungal activity of chitosan to control Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.:Fr.) Vuill. and Mucor spp.. Rev. mex. fitopatol [online]. 2007, vol.25, n.2, pp.109-113. ISSN 2007-8080.

Postharvest diseases have been controlled through chemical fungicides; however, recently, different natural alternatives have been developed. In this research, the antifungal activity of chitosan at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg mL^-1) was evaluated in vitro and in situ against Rhizopus stolonifer and Mucor spp. The mycelial growth and sporulation of both strains were inhibited at different concentrations of chitosan, with the best results when 2 mg mL^-1 were applied. Spore morphology varied according to the fungus evaluated; R. stolonifer was more susceptible since spores showed variations in area, form, and optical density (2 and 1.5 mg mL^-1), while Mucor spp. showed variations only in optical density starting from 1.5 mg mL^-1. Both phytopathogens showed inhibition in spore germination (2.0 mg mL^-1). The in situ results demostrated the antifungal potential of chitosan for control of postharvest diseases.

Keywords : Postharvest rots; morphometrics characteristic; germination; esporulation.