Antifungal activity of 2,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid on postharvest pathogens of strawberry fruits

2,5-Dimethoxybenzoic (DMB) acid was tested as an antifungal compound to control the postharvest decay pathogens of strawberry fruits. The compound completely inhibited in vitro spore germination and mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer at a concentration of 5 × 10 −3 M. The effect of DMB acid treatments on the decay of strawberry fruits, stored at 20°C or at 3°C plus a period of simulated shelf-life storage, was investigated. A marked reduction in decay development was observed when commercially harvested strawberries were dipped or sprayed with 10 −2 M DMB acid. Its practical use on berries under field conditions has been also tested. The best results were obtained when fruits were dipped for 1 minute in 10 −2 DMB acid in combination with 0.05% (v/v) Tween 20.