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The most severe fungal disease is postharvest gray mold, which might cause massive losses in Lanzhou lily bulbs. Some microorganism-produced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been proven to have antifungal action and can be employed as fruit and vegetable preservation. Our most recent research discovered that diacetyl (2, 3-butanedione) produced by Bacillus subtilis CL2 could significantly prevent some pathogens. The goal of this investigation was to see if diacetyl had antifungal properties against Trichoderma lixii F2, one of the most common postharvest rot pathogens of Lanzhou lily bulbs. The results indicated that diacetyl (1.587 μL/mL) fumigation treatment significantly inhibited the hyphal growth, modified hyphal morphology, and disrupted the cell membrane integrity. In vivo tests the antifungal mechanisms of diacetyl on T. lixii F2 were performed in Lanzhou lily bulbs. The results indicated that the content of total phenols and flavonoids increased, while malondialdehyde decreased under different treatment by diacetyl. Meanwhile, the activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in Lanzhou lily bulbs were investigated. It was showed that diacetyl could eliminate excessive reactive oxygen species, reduce the damage of plant cells, and improve the resistance of Lanzhou lily bulbs against T. lixii F2. This research reveals that diacetyl could activate antioxidant enzymes and disease-resistant enzymes in Lanzhou lily bulbs to prevent pathogenic fungus from invading and inducing resistance, laying the groundwork for future uses in preserving Lanzhou lily bulbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a fruit with a natural short shelf life due to its rapid ripening and high susceptibility to fungal diseases, increasing the need for postharvest treatments. The use of heat treatment combined with fungicides in the packinghouse followed by refrigeration during storage and transportation helps to delay the ripening and growth of phytopathogens. However, it is not enough to mitigate the problem, especially when papayas are kept at room temperature. Fungicides are effective to control fungi, but their possible adverse environmental and human health effects have stimulated interest in finding safe and natural substitutes. The purpose of this article is to present the recent advances and trends in the control of postharvest phytopathogens, mainly the use of edible coatings as a safe alternative to preserve and extend the useful life of papaya. The use of biopolymer coatings has gained considerable attention due to their ability to extend the shelf life of fruits. These coatings are a new type of biodegradable primary packaging made from biological compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and other polymers. The coatings are considered inert since they form only a physical barrier, separating papayas from their immediate environment, controlling the transfer of gas and moisture. Active coatings can contain supplementary ingredients with additional properties, such as antioxidant and antifungal activity. The application of edible coatings has promising potential to extend papayas' shelf life, in lieu of synthetic fungicides, thus reducing the economic losses from deterioration. • The most important postharvest fungal diseases of papaya are described. • Anthracnose is one of the main concerns related to postharvest papaya. • Alternatives to postharvest fungicides for papaya are discussed. • Edible coatings are the focus for papaya fruit treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colletotrichum is an opportunistic plant pathogen able to produce anthracnose disease in a wide range of postharvest fruits. Although the management of Colletotrichum has been traditionally attempted using synthetic fungicides, their toxic effects to human health, together with the appearance of resistant strains, have stimulated the development of biocontrol strategies during last years. Here, we are reviewing for the first time all reported biocontrol strategies for the management in vivo of Colletotrichum species in postharvest fruits. Several recently-reported strategies showed high inhibitory activity and, in some cases, supressed completely the disease symptoms, improving the efficacy of commercial biocontrol agents. Most strategies focused on the management of C. acutatum , C. gloeosporioides and C. truncatum ; however, other harmful clades remain completely unexplored. Although some of the best results were obtained using yeasts, no yeast strain was commercialized for the management of Colletotrichum , and there is a lack of information about yeast strains viability, toxicity and market storage conditions. The conclusions achieved in this work help to understand the current state of the research field, and reveal new insights on the development of efficient biocontrol strategies for the control of Colletotrichum species. • Biocontrol strategies can efficiently suppress the symptoms of Colletotrichum spp. in fruits. • Most strategies focused on the same species, and some hazardous strains remain unexplored. • Some newly reported strategies show higher activities than commercial biocontrol agents. • Further research about antifungal mechanisms, toxicity and market storage conditions is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]