The anthracnose causes severe damages to the mango post-harvest. As chemical control has shown disadvantages, the potential of use of essential oils has been an alternative for the phytopathogen control. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficacy of alternative products in the anthracnose control and in the conservation of mangos (Mangífera mandica) cv. Tommy Atkins treated with sodium bicarbonate diluted in distilled water, concentration of 3% (v/v), through immersion. For the treatment, the essential oils of Origanum majorana, Citrus sinensis, Cymbopogon citratus and Eucalyptus citriodora were used through fumigation, in the dosage of 1000 μL and distilled water through fumigation; all for 3 minutes. Mango fruits of the Unity CEASA-Maringá/PR, selected, weighed in a semi-analytical scale, disinfected by immersion of 3 minutes in a solution of sodium hypochlorite to 0.5% (v/v); rinsed in running water and dried. They were submitted to the treatments under ambient conditions (26 ± 2ºC and RH 90 ± 5%). Except for the treatment of Citrus sinensis, that resulted in a pH larger than the witness, significantly differing from the treatments that elevate the variable. There was reduction of the acidity in all of the treatments and increment of TSS in the fruits and with sodium bicarbonate provided 14.42 º Brix. The number of fruits with anthracnose was smaller in those treated with Citrus sinensis and this differed from the others, proving the effect of Citrus as fungitoxic. The use of essential oils such as that obtained from Citrus sinensis controlled the anthracnose and maintained the quality of the fruits.
Mangifera indica; postharvest; essential oil; anthracnose
