Efficacy of methyl anthranilate vapour against Botrytis cinerea in packaged strawberries

The efficacy of methyl anthranilate (MA) vapour in extending the postharvest shelf-life of fresh strawberries has been studied. For that, fruit inoculated with Botrytis cinerea was packaged in vented polypropylene (PP) clamshells and exposed to MA vapour released from a cellulose paper disc impregnated with the liquid compound and placed in the lid of the package. Fruit was stored for 12 days at 4 °C, and fungal growth of berries were monitored throughout storage. The level of fungal infection was significantly reduced in fruit treated with MA vapour. Moreover, packaged fruit with MA vapour that had not been previously inoculated maintained certain quality parameters such as colour and firmness better than control samples. Overall, MA vapour extended the shelf-life of strawberries from 6 to 9 days without causing phytotoxic effects on fruit tissue. MA was absorbed by the fruit but did not surpass the “no observed adverse effect level” (NOAEL). The maximum value of MA in fruit was reached at the end of the storage with a value of 34 µg g⁻¹. Thus, MA presents potential as an antimicrobial volatile for the preservation of packaged strawberries.