Efficacy of the combined application of chitosan and Locust Bean Gum with different citrus essential oils to control postharvest spoilage caused by Aspergillus flavus in dates

• Bergamot and bitter orange essential oils strongly inhibited Aspergillus flavus.
• Coating composed of chitosan and essential oils (EOs) reduced fungal decay on dates.
• Chitosan and Locust Bean Gum combined with 2% of EOs inhibited conidial germination.
• Sensory analysis of treated dates revealed the absence of off-odour and off-flavour.

This study reports the efficacy of the combined application of chitosan (CH) and Locust Bean Gum (LBG) in combination with different citrus essential oils (EOs) to inhibit Aspergillus flavus in vitro and on artificially infected dates for a storage period of 12 days. The effect of these treatments on the fruits' sensory characteristics was evaluated to verify the complete absence of off-odours and off-flavours. Bergamot EO was the most effective in reducing mycelial growth, followed by bitter orange EO. Both bergamot and bitter orange oils significantly reduced conidial germination and a complete inhibition was obtained at concentrations higher than 2%. The mixtures based on CH–2% (v/v) bergamot EO or CH–2% (v/v) bitter orange EO proved to be the most effective coatings to reduce conidial germination resulting in an 87–90% inhibition compared with the control. In fruit decay assays coatings based on CH incorporating citrus oils were able to reduce fungal decay in the range of 52–62% at day 12.The study results and the complete absence of off-flavours and off-odours demonstrate the potential of CH coatings carrying citrus EOs at sub-inhibitory concentrations to control postharvest growth of A. flavus in dates.