The Inhibitory Effects and Its Action Mechanism of Carvone Against <i>Botryosphaeria Dothidea</i>

Botryosphaeria dothidea (B. dothidea) can cause various postharvest diseases in fruits and vegetables, leading to serious quality deterioration and economic losses. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal properties of carvone against B. dothidea and further clarify its action mechanism. The results showed that carvone exhibited significant inhibitory effects on B. dothidea, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.3 mL L^-1. Carvone inhibited the mycelial growth of B. dothidea by causing mycelial shrinkage and rupture, thereby damaging the mycelial structure. Meanwhile, carvone can induce the over accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alter antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby triggering lipid peroxidation, compromising cell membrane permeability and integrity, and ultimately resulting in intracellular substance leakage. In vivo experiments further confirmed that carvone reduced the lesion diameter and decay rate of green grapes and cherry tomatoes during storage. Meanwhile, it also delayed the deterioration and maintained their storage quality. Therefore, this study provides a theoretical basis for developing carvone as a natural antifungal agent to control the postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables caused by B. dothidea. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: B. dothidea can cause virous postharvest diseases in fruits and vegetables. Traditional chemical fungicides not only tend to pose environmental and health risks, but also induce drug resistance in pathogens with long-term use. Carvone, a natural monoterpene ketone in plant essential oils, can inhibit various phytopathogenic fungi and serve as an ideal alternative to chemical fungicides. However, there is no research on its effect on B. dothidea, and the related antifungal mechanism remains unclear. In this study, in vitro antifungal experiments and in vivo verification were conducted to systematically explore the inhibitory effect of carvone on B. dothidea and its action mechanism. The results showed that carvone could effectively inhibit the growth of B. dothidea by disrupting cell membrane integrity, causing leakage of intracellular contents, altering cell ultrastructure, and inhibiting key metabolic enzymes. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing a novel antifungal agent to regulate the postharvest diseases of fruits and vegetables.