Post-harvest spoilage of mango (Mangifera indica) by Botryodiplodia theobromae.
Mascarenhas P., Behere A., Sharma A., Padwal-Desai S. R.
Author Affiliation: Food Technology and Enzyme Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay 400 085, India.
Mycological Research 100 : 27-30
Abstract : A major postharvest pathogen of mango was isolated and identified as B. theobromae. Its morphological characteristics, growth profile and fruit spoilage potential were studied. It formed spores endogenously within pycnidia. The organism grew well at ambient temp. (28?±2?°C). Citrate and phosphate buffers supported the growth of the fungus over a wide range of pH. However, acetate buffer failed to support its growth. The organism was able to proliferate on green, unripe as well as ripe fruit but needed mechanical injury for infection. The pathogen was able to cause total spoilage of the fruit within 48 h. A rise in the respiratory rate was observed when fruits were infected with B. theobromae. Fruits infected with the pathogen failed to attain a climacteric peak.