Protective role of epiphytic fluorescent Pseudomonas on natural postharvest decay of tomato at room temperature.

Habiba, Shah; Noreen, Rubina; Ali, Syed Abid; Hasan, Khwaja Ali; Ara, Jehan; Sultana, Viqar; Ehteshamul-Haque, Syed

Following harvest, tomato fruits are susceptible to an attack by many fungal pathogens, but healthy fruits may also harbor beneficial microflora, which can delay the spoilage of fruit. In this study, 30 isolates of epiphytic fluorescent Pseudomonas were isolated from healthy fruits of lemon, melon, grapefruit, tomato and orange. Twelve isolates were identified on molecular basis by amplifying 16S rDNA using a genusspecific primer set PA-GS-F 5'-GACGGGTGAGTAATGCCTA-3' and PA-GS-R F 5'-CACTGGTGTTCCTTCCTATA-3' on a conserved sequence of the genus Pseudomonas with a product size of ~618 bp. Three potential isolates were examined for their ability to delay the postharvest natural spoilage and maintained the physiochemical properties during storage for fifteen days in season 2013 and 2014. All three isolates showed promising control of postharvest diseases of tomato in comparison with control in both seasons up to fifteen days of storage at room temperature (23±4 °C, Rh 25-70%). The epiphytic bacterial isolates have delayed fruit weight loss and maintained fruit firmness, total solids, pH and titratable acidity. Isolates also slowed the accumulation of lycopene indicating their potential in controlling the major changes in physiochemical properties. In both seasons Pseudomonas treated tomatoes showed no or negligible infestation of common postharvest fungi and bacteria as compared to control and positive control (1% K-sorbate).

PSEUDOMONAS; FRUIT ripening; TOMATOES; TEMPERATURE; FRUIT; MELONS

Journal of Applied Botany & Food Quality, 2017, Vol 90, p288

1613-9216

Academic Journal

10.5073/JABFQ.2017.090.036