Solution Blow Spinning to Produce Antifungal Nanofibers from Pullulan, FucoPol, and Cashew Gum and Its Potential Postharvest Application on Avocado Fruit

Solution blow spinning (SBS) is a promising technology for producing nanofibers with potential applications in postharvest treatments. This study established conditions for creating biopolymeric nanofibers encapsulating Meyerozyma caribbica, a biocontrol agent effective against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the primary fungus affecting avocados. The pullulan, FucoPol, and cashew gum polymeric solutions were characterized by viscosity and surface tension and processed by SBS to obtain nanofibers. These were evaluated for morphology, storage viability, antifungal activity, and effects on the quality properties of avocados. SBS nanofibers were homogeneous, continuous, and curly, ranging from 151 to 777 nm. The nanofibers maintained M. caribbica’s high viability and antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo against C. gloeosporioides. Pullulan nanofibers encapsulating M. caribbica inhibited fungal growth, outperforming the synthetic fungicide azoxystrobin. The nanofiber application did not affect the quality attributes of the avocados, such as pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, weight loss, firmness, and dry matter content. SBS can effectively entrapM. caribbica in nanofibers to control avocado anthracnose.