Edible coatings enriched with biocontrol agents for postharvest Management of Penicillium digitatum in lemons

Abstract

The worldwide citrus industry faces significant economic losses as a consequence of fungal infections, primarily green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum. In Argentina, a leading lemon producer, these losses pose a substantial challenge to domestic and international markets. Although synthetic fungicides are widely used for green mold control, their effectiveness is hampered by pathogen resistance and growing concerns regarding environmental contamination from chemical residues. These limitations underscore the need for alternative, eco-friendly solutions for postharvest disease control. In this context, the study explores the development of novel edible coatings enriched with biocontrol agents. Specifically, Clavispora lusitaniae (strains AgL21 and 146) and Bacillus velezensis BA3 were combined with alginate and chitosan coatings to evaluate their efficacy in controlling P. digitatum while maintaining fruit quality.