Inhibition effect of preservatives or disinfectants on F. concentricum from postharvest asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) spear in vitro and in vivo

In this study, the antifungal effects of 12 preservatives or disinfectants against Fusarium concentricum on asparagus spear, as well as their inhibiting characteristics, were investigated. Results showed that dehydrogenation sodium acetate at 0.5 g/L, sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate at 0.3 g/L, sodium hypochlorite at 0.2 g/L, and cinnamic aldehyde at 0.4 g/L could completely inhibit the sporulation. The concentrations of cinnamaldehyde, sodium hypochlorite, H2O2, and ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate that completely inhibited spore germination were 0.1, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g/L, respectively. High molecule chitosan (HMC) at 0.25 g/L and water-soluble chitosan (WSC) at 2 g/L could inhibit spore germination and 90% of mycelium growth. Moreover, asparagus treated with HMC or WSC at 0.5 g/L showed hyphae growth with no soft rot, which indicated that pectinase might be damaged. This results might provide an important basis for further study into the uses of preservatives for control of postharvest diseases of asparagus. Novelty impact statement The screened antifungal agents from food additives showed prominent inhibitory effect on F. concentricum, which were expected to be used for postharvest asparagus preservation in the future.