Ozone slows down anthracnose and increases shelf life of papaya fruits

Abstract This study investigated the effect of ozone on papaya postharvest conservation, aiming at controlling anthracnose and increasing fruit shelf life. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Product Technology, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus-AM. Fruits were treated with 0; 0.6; 1.5 and 3.3 ppm ozone and commercial fungicide. They were then stored at room temperature (27 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5% RH). Incidence, severity, number and size of anthracnose lesions were determined, as well as postharvest quality by assessing shelf life; accumulated and daily fresh mass loss (%), peel color, electrolyte leakage (%), soluble solids (%), titratable acidity (g 100 g-1), soluble solids / titratable acidity ratio, pH and vitamin C (mg 100 g-1). Ozone reduced anthracnose severity in the short (3.3 ppm) and long term (1.5 ppm), making it as effective as a commercial fungicide. Ozone increased shelf life by seven days and maintained the postharvest quality of papaya fruits. Thus, ozone becomes a potential technology for postharvest use as a safe alternative to the use of pesticides in reducing anthracnose and increasing shelf life of papaya fruits.