Reduction of nectarine decay caused by Rhizopus stolonifer, Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum with Aloe vera gel alone or with the addition of thymol

► Aloe vera reduces the fungal growth of Rhizopus stlonifer, Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium digitatum. ► Aloe vera plus thymol does not improve the efficacy of Aloe vera gel alone. ► Aloe vera as a treatment maintains fruits quality and reduces ripening by a delay in ethylene and respiration rate. ► Aloe vera could be considered as a natural antifungal product.