Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Abstract

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Some Plant Extracts and their Applicability in Extending the Shelf Life of Stored Tomato Fruits

Faozia AA Ibrahim and Nowra Al-Ebady

Ethanolic extracts of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis L) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and the essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) were tested against many fungi including A.niger, A.flavus, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and fusarium spp. Oregano essential oil showed a very strong antifungal activity against Fuazarium spp. (MIC: 0.8 mg/ml), A.niger (MIC: <1 mg/ml) and Penicillium spp. (MIC: 4.5 mg/ml) whereas other fungi showed more resistant. The results showed that Rhizopus spp. was the most sensitive fungus to the plant extracts whereas rosemary was the most effective plant. Application of essential oils or ethanolic rosemary extract with different concentrations (100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 ppm) and refrigeration storage (at either 5 or 25°C) for postharvest spoilage control of tomatoes for 4 weeks showed that the combination of two treatments (refrigeration with either oregano essential oil or rosemary extract) was more effective to keep quality of tomatoes.