Electrolyzed Salt Solutions Used against Major Postharvest Diseases of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Alternative means of control are becoming increasingly relevant to the improvement of safety and the reduction of postharvest losses and waste of fruit and vegetables, especially in view of the application of the EU Greed Deal. A previous study from our research group that focused on the electrolysis process of water and was conducted using NaCl and NaHCO₃ as electrolytes proved to efficiently reduce pathogen inoculum in packinghouse washing water. In the present study, we examined the effect of the electrolyzed salt solutions (eNaCl and eNaHCO₃) produced in the same experimental conditions previously reported to be used as postharvest treatments during handling and commercialization, and/or at the consumer's site. We tested the electrolyzed solutions, obtained in the presence or absence of the salts, against five relevant fungal pathogens in terms of conidia viability, and on various hosts in terms of rot incidence/severity. Chemical parameters of electrolyzed and non-electrolyzed solutions were also assessed. Although a different susceptibility to treatments was observed among pathogens, electrolyzed sodium chloride (eNaCl) was the most efficient treatment for preventing spore germination, as well as for minimizing fruit rot. However, a consistent control of fungal viability and consequent rot was also achieved using electrolyzed tap water (eW). The eNaHCO_3, although less efficient on fungal viability, provided a significant effect against fruit rot. The investigated electrolyzed solutions seem promising for reducing the waste of fresh fruit and vegetables.