Abstract
In order to prevent the postharvest decay and to promote the freshness retention of fruits and vegetables grapefruit seed extract(GFSE), natural microorganism control agent, was applied to the preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables. Freshfruits and vegetables treated with GFSE and stored in polyethylene film (0.1mm) at 1$0^{\circ}C$-15$^{\circ}C$ of natural low temperature low kept better qualities in color and texture than the GFSE -not- treated control. The treatment using GFSE ina 250ppm to 500ppm concentration seemed to be an effective one for the control of Botrytis cinerea isolated in red wine grapes. After 4 weeks of storage the firmness rate of cucumbers treated with the dilute GFSE was four times higher than that of non-treated ones. GFSE showed effective inhibitory action towards plant pathological bacteria and fungi which were involved in the decay of fruits and vegetables. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of GFSE towards them were in the range of 250ppm to 500ppm .Direct visualization of microbial cells and spores using electron microscopy showed microbial cells and fungal spores the function of which was destroyed by treating with the dilute solutions of GFSE. It was observed that GFSE would reduced disease damages and have bactericide & fungicide properties during the storage of such fruits and vegetables as egg plant, wild edible greens , kumquat, and kiwi fruit.
