EFFECTS OF ETHANOL, ACETALDEHYDE AND ETHYL FORMATE VAPOR ON THE GROWTH OF PENICILLIUM-ITALICUM AND P-DIGITATUM ON ORANGES

Ethanol (Etoh) (C2H5OH), acetaldehyde (Aa) (CH3CHO) and ethyl formate (EF) (CHO2C2H5) are naturally occurring volatiles reported to have eit her anti-microbial or insecticidal properties. The effect of these vol atiles on the spoilage of oranges by Penicillium italicum and P digita tum at 20 degrees C was evaluated. Ethanol was the most effective and the least phytotoxic volatile in retarding the establishment of infect ion and the rate of microbial development of P. italicum and P. digita tum. Overall, P. digitatum was more resistant to the antifungal effect of Etoh and Aa than P. italicum. Ethyl formate was relatively ineffec tive against both pathogens. The effectiveness of the volatiles was de pendent upon concentration and exposure time.