Novel Prosopis Juliflora Leaf Ethanolic extract as natural Antifungal agent against Botrytis Cinerea: Application on Strawberries’ shelf-life extension

Spoilage from fresh produces is a worldwide concern that accompanies the global increase in food demand. Adverse human health and environmental effects of commercial pesticides is a major public concern. Botrytis cinerea is one of the top ten pathogens that affect fresh produce including strawberries’ shelf-life around the world. Botrytis cinerea can progress easily from infected fruits to healthy ones even at low storage temperatures, which can lead to spoilage of entire lots in few weeks. Strawberries are widely consumed raw berries, which are famous in their processed forms such as jam and juices. The delicate fruit has a very short postharvest life. It is susceptible to mechanical injuries, fast dehydration and fungal infection. Prosopis juliflora is an invasive tree in many countries including Qatar. In this report, the Prosopis juliflora water soluble leaves ethanolic (PJ-WS-LE) novel extraction method will be described with an evaluation of its effectiveness as antifungal agent and possible coating material for shelf-life extension. PJ-WS-LE extract showed total inhibition of Botrytis cinerea growth with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1mg/ml. Exposure to the extract affected badly the structure of the hyphal fungi. The extract extended also strawberries’ shelf-life by 2.32X. PJ-WS-LE extract will be chemically described and its effectiveness in the extension of other fresh produces’ shelf-life will be evaluated.