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Efficacy of Sweet Basil Oil-chitosomes in Disease Suppression and Antioxidant (Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic) Responses in ‘Nam Dok Mai No. 4’ Mangoes during Shelf Life
Author(s)
Suo, Xiaoyu
Wannasawad, Kittikoon
Thaisamak, Phirunrat
Phakawan, Janejira
Date Issued
January 1, 2026
Type
Article
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of chitosomes, sweet basil oil, and sweet basil oil-chitosomes on oxidative stress and disease resistance in ‘Nam Dok Mai No. 4’ mangoes stored at room temperature (27 ± 2°C) for 8 days. Untreated fruits developed disease rapidly, with incidence reaching 100% by day 6, while all treatments delayed symptom development. Notably, sweet basil oil-chitosomes completely suppressed disease throughout storage. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels increased sharply in control and chitosome-treated fruits, while sweet basil oil and its encapsulated form significantly reduced H2O2 accumulation, with the encapsulated treatment maintaining the lowest levels in both peel and pulp. Both treatments slowed a decline in total phenolic content and ascorbic acid, with sweet basil oil-chitosomes offering the most effective preservation. Antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) were lowest in controls, moderately increased by chitosomes, and strongly enhanced by sweet basil oil. The encapsulated treatment showed the highest enzyme activities, with 4.02- and 8.02-fold increases in peel, and 10.8- and 4.96-fold increases in pulp. Pearson’s correlation indicated that sweet basil oil-chitosomes most effectively stabilized the antioxidant network and minimized oxidative stress, followed by chitosomes and free basil oil, while the control exhibited the weakest defense, consistent with its higher anthracnose susceptibility. Principal component analysis further confirmed that sweet basil oil-chitosomes offered the greatest protection by sustaining both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. These results demonstrate that sweet basil oil-chitosomes, as an innovative nanocarrier delivery system, offer a promising natural strategy for enhanced postharvest disease management and quality preservation in mangoes.
Citation
Horticulture Journal, 95(3), 339-349, 2026