Current technologies to control fungal diseases in postharvest papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Abstract Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a fruit with a natural short shelf life due to its rapid ripening and high susceptibility to fungal diseases, increasing the need for postharvest treatments. The use of heat treatment combined with fungicides in the packinghouse followed by refrigeration during storage and transportation helps to delay the ripening and growth of phytopathogens. However, it is not enough to mitigate the problem, especially when papayas are kept at room temperature. Fungicides are effective to control fungi, but their possible adverse environmental and human health effects have stimulated interest in finding safe and natural substitutes. The purpose of this article is to present the recent advances and trends in the control of postharvest phytopathogens, mainly the use of edible coatings as a safe alternative to preserve and extend the useful life of papaya. The use of biopolymer coatings has gained considerable attention due to their ability to extend the shelf life of fruits. These coatings are a new type of biodegradable primary packaging made from biological compounds such as polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and other polymers. The coatings are considered inert since they form only a physical barrier, separating papayas from their immediate environment, controlling the transfer of gas and moisture. Active coatings can contain supplementary ingredients with additional properties, such as antioxidant and antifungal activity. The application of edible coatings has promising potential to extend papayas' shelf life, in lieu of synthetic fungicides, thus reducing the economic losses from deterioration.