Developing a new natural method to control Botrytis affecting blueberries after harvest: this was the goal of the research conducted by a team of experts from INIA La Platina. The solution stems from a bacterium isolated in Antarctica, capable of thriving in cold, nutrient-poor environments, making it ideal for post-harvest use.
The study, carried out by Pablo Ulloa, Ana Luisa Valencia, Daniela Olivares, Matías Poblete-Morales, Evelyn Silva-Moreno, and Bruno Defilippi, published results evaluating how this bacterium influences the presence of *Botrytis cinerea*, the fungus responsible for gray mold that attacks blueberries post-harvest.
Preliminary results showed that the bacterium reduced the damage caused by the fungus by 71%. This effect on the fungus is due to the release of natural compounds called VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which possess antifungal properties, helping to slow the fungus’s growth during storage. This discovery was published in the scientific journal “Food Packaging and Shelf Life.” The research offers a natural and eco-friendly solution for fungus control without the use of chemicals, providing a safer option for both consumers and the environment.
The study was conducted as part of the active packaging research line aimed at extending the shelf life of fruits, undertaken by the Post-Harvest Unit of INIA La Platina, and as part of the advancements of the FONDEF/CONCURSO IDeA ID20I10197 project.
Source: Simfruit
