Potentials of Medicinal Plant Extracts as an Alternative to Synthetic Chemicals in Postharvest Protection and Preservation of Horticultural Crops: A Review

Horticultural crops undergo various physiological and biochemical changes that lead to undesirable disorders, decay subsequent economic losses during storage. Quality degradation of horticultural is mainly caused by postharvest pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea Penicillium spp., etc. The application synthetic fungicides remains the most effective method control pathogens. However, their use becoming increasingly restricted internationally due health concerns consumers’ requests for safe natural alternatives. This has led researchers investigate flora one alternatives be used in crop protection preservation. Various medicinal plant parts have different phytochemicals antioxidants can Extracts from plants Ruta chalepensis, Eucalyptus globulus, etc., proven controlling increased shelf life when a substitute chemicals. Furthermore, extracts neem other contain predominant insecticidal active ingredient. could useful alternative chemicals preservation crops. review paper details