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

The potential effect of a hydrodispersion of maltodextrin, carboxylmethylcellulose, propylene glycol and sorbitan esters, on the reduction or prevention of spoilage caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides which produces anthracnose and by the fruit fly Anastrepha oblicua, was investigated as a coating for mango (Mangifera indica cv. Manila) fruit from commercial 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 was removed by washing with water, to determine the time necessary to minimize the damage caused by the anthracnose and the fruit fly larvae. In uncoated mangoes, larval growth and anthracnose manifestation occurred within 6 d at both storage temperatures. In coated mangoes, fruit fly larvae proliferation was avoided and anthracnose incidence was reduced. The results suggested that coatings should be remained for 9 d to avoid fruit fly larvae proliferating and minimize anthracnose incidence by 70%. Applying coatings may be part of a set of superficial treatments to guarantee the phytosanitary certification of tropical fruits such as mangoes.