Emulsion coatings control fruit fly and anthracnose in mango (Mangifera indica cv. Manila)

The potential effect of a hydrodispersion of maltodextrin, carboxylmethylce llulose, propylene glycol and sorbitan esters, on the reduction or preventi on of spoilage caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides which pr oduces anthracnose and by the fruit fly Anastrepha oblicua, was investigate d as a coating for mango (Mangifera indica cv. Manila) fruit from commercia l orchards in Jalcomulco, Veracruz, Mexico. Coated and control mangoes were stored at 15 and 25 degrees C and 85 +/- 5% r.h. Every 3 d, the coating wa s removed by washing with water, to determine the time necessary to minimiz e the damage caused by the anthracnose and the fruit fly larvae. In uncoate d mangoes, larval growth and anthracnose manifestation occurred within 6 d at both storage temperatures. In coated mangoes, fruit fly larvae prolifera tion was avoided and anthracnose incidence was reduced. The results suggest ed that coatings should be remained for 9 d to avoid fruit fly larvae proli ferating and minimize anthracnose incidence by 70%. Applying coatings may b e part of a set of superficial treatments to guarantee the phytosanitary ce rtification of tropical fruits such as mangoes.