Abstract:

Blue mold caused by Penicillim expansum, which is very common in post-harvest apples, causes significant economic losses worldwide. In this study, plant powders and aqueous extracts obtained from the stem, leaf and flower parts of 14 plant species belonging to the Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Caprifoliaceae, Papaveraceae families were evaluated for their in vivo and in vitro activities for the control of mycelial growth of Penicillium expansum. According to in vitro results, Penicillium expansum inhibited mycelial growth of Lamiaceae family Origanum vulgare and Thymus longicaulis by 100% and 87,11%, respectively. O. vulgare aqueous extract showed the lowest MIC value (250 µg/mL). At 32 mg/mL, O. vulgare aqueous extract prevented artificially induced blue mold infection in apples by 69,21%. In SEM analysis, collapsing, flattening and rough cells effects of O. vulgare and T. longicaulis on hyphal structure of Penicillium expansum were observed. We can suggest that the aqueous extract of O. vulgare can be evaluated as a natural antifungal agent in order to control blue mold infections.