Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper Fruits
<i>Phytophthora capsici</i> is a phytopathogen that affects postharvest bell peppers, as it causes rotting and decreases their commercial value. This study evaluates the efficacy of chitosan as a biocontrol agent against <i>P. capsici</i> on bell peppers using in vitro and in...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Juan Antonio Torres-Rodriguez Juan José Reyes Pérez Luis Tarquino Llerena Ramos Leonardo Gonzalo-Matute Edgar Omar Rueda-Puente Luis Guillermo Hernandez-Montiel |
| author_facet | Juan Antonio Torres-Rodriguez Juan José Reyes Pérez Luis Tarquino Llerena Ramos Leonardo Gonzalo-Matute Edgar Omar Rueda-Puente Luis Guillermo Hernandez-Montiel |
| author_sort | Juan Antonio Torres-Rodriguez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> is a phytopathogen that affects postharvest bell peppers, as it causes rotting and decreases their commercial value. This study evaluates the efficacy of chitosan as a biocontrol agent against <i>P. capsici</i> on bell peppers using in vitro and in vivo assays. The antifungal activity of chitosan was evaluated at four concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g L<sup>−1</sup>). Its effect on mycelial growth inhibition, sporangial germination, disease incidence and severity, and fruit weight loss was determined. The results show that concentrations of 1.0 g L<sup>−1</sup> or higher completely inhibited <i>P. capsici</i> growth and sporangial germination in vitro and reduced disease incidence and severity to 0% in treated fruit. Furthermore, chitosan treatments preserved the fresh and dry weight of the fruit, which prevented postharvest deterioration. This study demonstrates that chitosan is an effective and environmentally friendly alternative for the management of postharvest diseases in bell peppers. This could reduce consumer dependence on synthetic fungicides and preserve fruit quality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-75247b79f7374ba18f6dcfb783f573e6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2413-4155 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-75247b79f7374ba18f6dcfb783f573e62025-08-20T03:16:39ZengMDPI AGSci2413-41552025-03-01723710.3390/sci7020037Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper FruitsJuan Antonio Torres-Rodriguez0Juan José Reyes Pérez1Luis Tarquino Llerena Ramos2Leonardo Gonzalo-Matute3Edgar Omar Rueda-Puente4Luis Guillermo Hernandez-Montiel5Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Av. Quito km 1.5 vía a Santo Domingo, Quevedo 120501, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias Pecuarias y Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Av. Quito km 1.5 vía a Santo Domingo, Quevedo 120501, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Av. Quito km 1.5 vía a Santo Domingo, Quevedo 120501, EcuadorFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Av. Quito km 1.5 vía a Santo Domingo, Quevedo 120501, EcuadorDepartamento de Agricultura y Ganadería, Universidad de Sonora, Blvd. Luis Encinas S/N Col. Centro, Hermosillo 83000, MexicoNanotechnology & Microbial Biocontrol Group, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz 23096, Baja California Sur, Mexico<i>Phytophthora capsici</i> is a phytopathogen that affects postharvest bell peppers, as it causes rotting and decreases their commercial value. This study evaluates the efficacy of chitosan as a biocontrol agent against <i>P. capsici</i> on bell peppers using in vitro and in vivo assays. The antifungal activity of chitosan was evaluated at four concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g L<sup>−1</sup>). Its effect on mycelial growth inhibition, sporangial germination, disease incidence and severity, and fruit weight loss was determined. The results show that concentrations of 1.0 g L<sup>−1</sup> or higher completely inhibited <i>P. capsici</i> growth and sporangial germination in vitro and reduced disease incidence and severity to 0% in treated fruit. Furthermore, chitosan treatments preserved the fresh and dry weight of the fruit, which prevented postharvest deterioration. This study demonstrates that chitosan is an effective and environmentally friendly alternative for the management of postharvest diseases in bell peppers. This could reduce consumer dependence on synthetic fungicides and preserve fruit quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/7/2/37biocontrolcoatingsgrowth inhibitiondisease incidencedisease severity |
| spellingShingle | Juan Antonio Torres-Rodriguez Juan José Reyes Pérez Luis Tarquino Llerena Ramos Leonardo Gonzalo-Matute Edgar Omar Rueda-Puente Luis Guillermo Hernandez-Montiel Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper Fruits Sci biocontrol coatings growth inhibition disease incidence disease severity |
| title | Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper Fruits |
| title_full | Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper Fruits |
| title_fullStr | Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper Fruits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper Fruits |
| title_short | Chitosan as a Postharvest Alternative for the Control of <i>Phytophthora capsici</i> in Bell Pepper Fruits |
| title_sort | chitosan as a postharvest alternative for the control of i phytophthora capsici i in bell pepper fruits |
| topic | biocontrol coatings growth inhibition disease incidence disease severity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/7/2/37 |
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