Ever pulled out a lemon or an orange from the fridge to find it covered in green fuzz? That's the dreadful work of Penicillium italicum. Did you know that mold isn't alone? There are many types of fungus out there.  But good news is that there's a natural fungus called Diaporthe sp. HT-79 that can keep this mold at bay.  It produces a chemical called sesterdiaporate that fights against Penicillium italicum. What’s really cool is that sesterdiaporate does this without harming the environment.

     How does sesterdiaporate work? Scientists are still figuring it out. What they found already is pretty fascinating.  They think sesterdiaporate messes with the way Penicillium italicum stores energy. By doing this, it weakens the ability of the fungus to grow. In other words, sesterdiaporate breaks down a crucial component in the fungus's membranes that keeps the fungus alive. This makes the fungus vulnerable and eventually kills it. This is a much healthier solution compared to regular pesticides.

    Now, there's another chemical called prochloraz that some farmers use. It damages the fruit's membranes. Unlike sesterdiaporate, prochloraz is less precise and can still allow the fungus to consume the citrus fruit.  Imagine prochloraz as a rushed fighter who breaks down the spores quickly, but sesterdiaporate takes it slow and steady and causes a quick explosion. So, it can protect the citrus fruits better.

    But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. There's a lot of research to be done. But what we do know is that sesterdiaporate is a promising solution.  There are still other factors out there, like soil conditions, and flying pest insects that also affect citrus fruits.

      We all need to take action to help keep citrus fruit safe

      Interestingly, citrus fruits are one of the most popular fruits worldwide

Safe Guarding Citrus Fruits

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