Antifungal Activity of a Fatty Ammonium Chloride Amylose Inclusion Complex against Fusarium sambucinum; Control of Dry Rot on Multiple Potato Varieties.

The cationic amylose-hexadecylammonium chloride inclusion complex (Hex-Am) was found to be an effective antifungal treatment for Fusarium sambucinum (Fuckel), a causal agent of potato dry rot. The Hex-Am treatment was effective against F. sambucinum in vitro and in situ, with an effective 50% inhibitory concentration of 400 μg/ml; active component concentration of 20 μg/ml. The amylose complex alone, and blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), was effective in controlling dry rot in five varieties of potatoes with up to a 99% reduction in damage to the potato tubers. The amylose complex showed no apparent signs of phytotoxicity, with wound periderm reforming within one week of storage at 15 °C and 90% RH. The Hex-Am treatments form an effective antimicrobial film at the wound site, significantly inhibiting fungal damage to the wounded tubers.