Evaluation of the effect of Salvia chorassanica essential oil nanoemulsion on reducing mold decay of strawberry fruit after harvest

In recent years, due to the harmful effects of toxins and chemical preservatives on human health, the tendency to use natural antimicrobial compounds such as essential oils have been increased. In this study, nanoemulsion of Salvia chorassanica essential oil was prepared by ultrasound method and its antifungal activity against three molds of strawberry rot (A. niger, B. cinere and R. stolonifer) was investigated and compared with thiabendazole fungicide. In addition, the potential of these compounds to reduce mold decay of strawberry fruit during 12 days refrigerated after coating was evaluated. The results showed that the nanoemulsion of essential oil had more antifungal activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the essential oil nanoemulsion were lower than the thiabendazole. Nanoemulsion treatment of essential oil at a concentration of 12.5 µl / ml on the surface of strawberries was able to delay the growth of A. niger spores for 6 days and B.cinere ، R. stolonifer spores for 9 days. Also, application of nanoemulsion coating of S. chorasanica essential oil and thiabendazole fungicide with a concentration of 25 µl / ml on strawberry surface, unlike control samples without coating, were showed no mold growth until the end of the 12th day. Therefore, nanoemulsion of S. chorasanica essential oil can be suggested as a suitable alternative to the fungicide thiabendazole.