Control of postharvest decay on cherry tomatoes by marine yeast Rhodosporidium paludigenum and calcium chloride.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, the potential of calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) application to improve the efficacy of the marine antagonist Rhodosporidium paludigenum in controlling postharvest diseases of cherry tomatoes was assessed.


RESULTS
CaCl(2) alone was found not to have any direct influence on the population growth of R. paludigenum in NYDB cultures or in cherry tomato wounds. However, the combined treatments with 1 x 10(8) cells ml(-1)R. paludigenum and CaCl(2) at the concentration from 0.5 to 2% showed high activities to reduce black rot caused by Alternaria alternata in cherry tomato wounds, significantly higher than those of R. paludigenum or CaCl(2) alone. Meanwhile, 0.5% CaCl(2) in combination with 1 x 10(8) cells ml(-1)R. paludigenum greatly inhibited the natural decay of cherry tomatoes in 21 days' storage at 25 degrees C.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of R. paludigenum and CaCl(2) enhances the inhibition of black rot and natural decay of postharvest cherry tomatoes. The results from this study provide a new way to improve the efficiency of R. paludigenum in maintaining the quality of postharvest fruits and vegetables.


CONCLUSIONS
The marine yeast R. paludigenum combined with CaCl(2) has greatly potential use as an alternative to chemical fungicides in inhibiting postharvest decay on cherry tomatoes.
Wang
Y
Y
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Ren
X
X
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.| College of bioengineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
Song
X
X
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Yu
T
T
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Lu
H
H
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Wang
P
P
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Wang
J
J
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Zheng
X D
XD
 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
D000528:Alternaria; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000382:microbiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D002122:Calcium Chloride