Nectarine Coated with Biopolymeric Nanocapsules Containing Eugenol to Control Brown Rot

Infections in fruits caused by fungi reduce the quantity and quality of food for humanconsumption, in addition to causing economic losses. In this sense, this study aimed to address theeffects of eugenol nanocapsules (NCs) based on chitosan and carboxymethylcellulose in protectingnectarines against Monilinia fructicola, a brown rot agent, a worldwide important disease. NCswere prepared by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly starting from an anionic template anddeposition with up to two polymeric layers. The hydrodynamic diameters ranged from 158 nm(nanoemulsion), 360 nm (one polymeric layer) to 398 nm (two polymeric layers). NCs presented,during the in vitro release, the release of eugenol following a first order process. In addition tobeing in the region of stability (zeta potential ca. vertical bar 30 vertical bar mV), the capsules showed good adhesionto the nectarine surface. In relation to brown rot, the eugenol NCs with chitosan proved to be thebest formulation compared to nanoemulsion and NCs with two polymeric layers for its control,increasing the probability that the fruits remain without symptoms, even after 7 days. Therefore,this study demonstrated that chitosan NCs containing eugenol could be an alternative to preservefruit for longer periods in post-harvest.