Dados do Trabalho

Título

NANOENCAPSULATED ESSENTIAL OILS AND POST-HARVEST QUALITY OF APPLE FRUIT

Introdução

The apple (Malus domestica Borkh) is the most widely consumed fruit in the world. However, diseases such as apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) during the growing season can affect post-harvest quality. Conventional management involves the use of chemical fungicides. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of managing apple scab with nanoencapsulated essential oils on the post-harvest quality of the fruit.

Material e Métodos

Zein nanocapsules were synthesized and characterized. The treatments tested were orange essential oil nanocapsules (Nano-EOO), eucalyptus essential oil nanocapsules (Nano-EOE) and control (Fungicide). After six sprays, at intervals of seven to ten days, the fruit was harvested and assessed for its physical and chemical characteristics.

Resultados e Discussão

The results of the physicochemical characterization of the nanocapsules showed a homogeneous size distribution and stable dispersions. The treatment with essential oil nanocapsules did not differ statistically from the treatment with fungicide in terms of the size and average weight of the fruit. However, the Nano-EOO sample showed the highest values for the variables of weight (391.75g) and fruit size (4.84cm), surpassing the results obtained from the fungicide-treated apples. As for flesh firmness, the Nano-EOE treatment showed significant differences compared to the fungicide. The starch index was lower in the samples treated with Nano-EOE compared to the fungicide and Nano-EOO. The soluble solids content and total acidity did not differ significantly between treatments. The samples treated with encapsulated essential oils did not differ significantly in the content of phenolic compounds.

Conclusão

In terms of antioxidant activity, the treatments with nanoencapsulated essential oils did not differ significantly from each other, and showed lower results than the fungicide. Thus, nanoencapsulated essential oils have potential as strategies for the integrated management of apple scab, with positive benefits for the post-harvest quality of the fruit.