Thermal death kinetics of some common postharvest pathogens of papaya

Abstract

Thermal death kinetics, decimal reduction times (D-values), and rate constants, k, at 43 to 49 °C were determined for spore or cell suspensions of Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes (Penz.) Penz. and Sacc. in Penz., Guignardia psidii Ullasa and Rawl, Guignardia sp. Viala and Ravaz., and Enterobacter cloacae (Jordan) Hormaeche and Edwards. D-values for Monilinia fructicola (Wint.) Honey, Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehr. : Fr.) Vuill., and Stemphylium lycopersici (Enjoji) Yamamoto were calculated and extrapolated from published reports. We compared the relative heat resistances of the various postharvest pathogens to their expected survival during quarantine heat treatments and found that Guignardia, Rhizopus, and E. cloacae could be expected to survive quarantine heat treatments.