Control of crown rot on Cavendish banana by high voltage atmospheric cold plasma treatment

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of direct and indirect cold plasma treatment on banana crown rot, and its effect on the physicochemical properties of the fruit. Bananas were inoculated with a spore suspension of the 3 most relevant fungi related to this disease, at an initial concentration of 105 spores/mL. Samples were stored at 13 °C and monitored for 0, 14, 28, and 42 days of storage, simulating the conditions of an export container. The rotting and ripening index was evaluated by scales, and pH, soluble solids, color, hardness, and firmness of samples were analyzed. In addition, the formation of reactive species of direct and indirect cold plasma methods was analyzed by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) measurement. Results indicated that the rot index of the direct and indirect treatments were similar to the use of fungicide to preserve the fruit over time. There were no significant changes in pH, firmness, and °Brix of the treated samples over storage time.