Effect of Lactoperoxidase System on the Control of Colletotrichum musae on Bananas

Postharvest diseases are a major concern for plant products, leading to considerable postharvest losses. Colletotrichum musae is responsible for anthracnose and is also involved in crown rot, the two main postharvest diseases of banana. The use of antimicrobial agents such as the lactoperoxidase system (LPS) represents an interesting alternative to the use of conventional fungicides for the control of postharvest diseases of banana. Conidial germination and fungal growth of three different strains of Colletotrichum musae originating from Cameroon (C 52 and C 62) and Guadeloupe (C 46.12) were monitored in the presence of LPS or Eau Activée® (an industrial derivative of LPS). In vivo studies were also conducted on bananas preinoculated with strain C 46.12 and then subjected to a soaking treatment in LPS and Eau Activée® solutions. However, this postharvest treatment did not show any significant effect of the LPS or Eau Activée®. The in vitro studies showed a difference in the behaviour of Colletotrichum musae strains subjected to LPS and Eau Activée® treatments. A highly visible inhibitory effect of LPS was observed on fungal growth of strains C 52 and C 62. Furthermore, LPS gave better results than its industrial derivative, Eau Activée®