Antifungal effect of edible film (CMC) containing aqueous and ethanolic mangrove plant extract on citrus pathogens in vitro

Abstract

Plant extract have superior antimicrobial activity. Some plant extracts exhibit strong antifungal activity against undesirable fungi in foodstuffs during storage period. Generally, phenolic and terpene compounds are major contributors to this action. In this study, edible films (CMC) containing mangrove plant was evaluated for their activity against citrus pathogens. Mangrove leaves were dried in shadow and suitable condition, after extraction with ethanol 96 degree and water. Antimicrobial properties of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) films containing of 20, 40, 60 and 80 percent concentration of the extract against Penicillium digitatum and Alternaria citri was studied. The results show of the effect antimicrobial edible films containing of extracts ethanolic Avicennia marina at all concentrations have inhibition effect on growth of Alternaria citri, However aqueous extract of Avicennia marina leaves were able to inhibitory of growth the Alternaria citri only in 40, 60 and 80% concentrations and no antimicrobial activity was observed at 20 concentrations. The edible films containing mangrove extract presented the more effective impact on the growth of Penicillium digitatum than Alternaria citri (p<0.05). The results suggest that the food industry and consumers could use these films as wrappings to control surface contamination by mold pathogenic.