Essential Oils: A Novel Consumer and Eco-friendly Approach to Combat Postharvest Phytopathogens

Postharvest infections are among the chief reasons for the worsening of horticultural products in the sequence of storage and delivery. The occurrence of postharvest infections and subsequent diseases can influence the value of the fresh food products and also hamper the shelf life. Nowadays stringent rules are compulsory by the fresh produce importing nations concerning the least pesticides residue level in the palatable fraction of the fresh food products. A number of phytopathogens were reported to attain resistance against man-made antifungal agents. Disposal of waste containing these synthetic chemicals has an adverse impact on environmental track. Hence, the present scenario demanded the exploration of a natural novel antifungal substance as a substitute for the chemical applications as a postharvest treatment during storage and packing line up. Contemporary increasing awareness of consumers towards herbal based and organic products is also a matter of concern in this context. Hence, this review summarizes the utilization of essential oils of plant origin in the control of postharvest diseases of horticultural produce, their eco-friendly and consumer friendly approach of actions, etc. The present communication also reviews the work done in past on investigating the role of essential oils in fungal deterioration of stored products.