Abstract:
Waste water samples collected from a cinnamon bark oil distillery, was extracted and analyzed by Gas Chromatography. The major constituent of the
extracted oil solution was cinnamaldehyde (66.2%). Previously isolated and identified fungal pathogens causing anthracnose and crown rot of Embul banana
were treated in vitro with oil extract. The oil was fungistatic and fungicidal within the range of 0.64 mg/ml ? 1.00 mg/ml. Spraying Embul banana with
emulsions of the oil extract prior to storage, controlled crown rot enabling banana to be stored for up to 14 days at ambient temperature (28 � 20
C) and 21
days at 140
C; 90% r.h. in modified atmosphere. A standard fungicide; benomyl treatment and control were included. There was no any detrimental effect of
the physico-chemical properties such as percentage weight loss, fruit firmness, pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity due to the treatment of oil extract.
The evaluation of organoleptic properties showed higher acceptability of oil treated banana.
