MICROBIAL CONTROL IN WHITE CACTUS PEAR WITH BIOPOLYMERIC COATING OF CHITOSAN, CANDELILLA WAX AND THYME ESSENTIAL OIL
Journal: Revista Fitotecnia Mexicana
Year: 2019

White cactus pear (Opuntia albicarpa L.) undergoes decay by pathogens in postharvest, which limits its shelf life. The objective of this study was to evaluate coatings based on chitosan (Q), candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc.) wax (Cw) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil (Eo) to reduce microbial development on the cactus pear and increase shelf life. Emulsions based on Q, Eo, and Q+Eo were applied on freshly harvested cactus pear fruits, which were stored for 18 days at 22 ºC.