Control of anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum musae, on postharvest organic banana by thyme oil

Anthracnose in organic bananas is an aggressive, difficult to control postharvest disease. Essential oils have been studied in order incorporate them into integrated pest management, and to reduce synthetic fungicides during the postharvest period. In vitro assays showed that thyme oil was the best essential oil to control mycelial growth of Colletotrichum musae. This essential oil was tested in vivo because of its fungicidal effect. The results showed that, after storage and shelf life at 20 degrees C, severity inhibition of C. musae on fruit treated with 500 mu L L-1 of thyme oil (30.8%) was higher (p < 0.05) than with other treatments. Moreover, 500 mu L L-1 of thyme oil reduced weight loss, retained color and firmness, and slowed the changes of chemical parameters in organic bananas during storage. After the postharvest period, panelists did not detect thyme oil odor, and overall appearance was also better, when using thyme oil, than in non-treated fruit. These results suggest that thyme oil may be potentially used for controlling anthracnose in organic bananas during the postharvest period, without a negative effect on its physicochemical and sensory quality.