**6.1 Introduction**

The *Huanglongbing* (HLB) disease or "yellow dragon", affects the worldwide production of citrus (lemon, tangerine, orange). *Diaphorina citri* (Kuwayama), the insect vector of HLB, is the main responsible as shown in **Figure 5** [49, 50]. HLB is mainly distributed in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) and Africa. Farmers invest up to 50 insecticide doses per year to control the vector and avoid the spread of the disease [51]. Symptoms of this plant disease include damage in tree and fruit, sparce yellow foliage, and stunting among others as shown in **Figure 6** [52], shortening of the productive life of the plant, and detriment of final quality product [53].

#### **Figure 5.** *HLB in citrus tree. Source: www.gob.mx/agricultura.*

**79**

*Innovation in Food Products Using Ozone Technology: Impact on Quality Assurance*

Since 2010, HLB has been spread to the American continent especially those areas with frequent rainfall and template temperatures. HLB in Mexico is a serious threat to the 526 thousand hectares of citrus distributed in twenty-three Federal Entities. This in turn represents a production risk of 6.7 million tons per year with a value of more than 400 million dollars. Around 67,000 producers engaged to citric industry generated approximately 70,000 direct jobs and 250,000 indirect jobs, all of them endangered by HLB [54]. Specific research in Mexico to counteract this

In 2013, a collaboration protocol was signed between TRIO3 Food Technologies, the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP, for its acronym in spanish) and Los Limones Orchard, located in Tecoman; Colima (18°46′38.04′´ N, 103°48′56.74′´ W). Pérez-Nafarrate [55] evaluated the effect of ozone to eradicate the HLB disease in the productive region previously mentioned. Two main objectives were proposed: first, the early detection of infected trees in the growing season; and second to evaluate the damage spread by the vector in those trees with an advanced stage of the disease, and register its total loss [56]. Fifteen hectares planted with real lemon were micro-sprinkler irrigated with ozonated water, and nutrients were added to roots of trees every third day during six months. The sprinkler irrigation process was evaluated at the end of the experiment.

Ozone applied in Los Limones Orchard considerably reduced the population of larvae and adult vectors increasing the citrus production (data not shown). After ozonated water process concluded in lemon trees, other benefits were observed by farmers and technical staff including the improvement of the foliage coloration, and strengthening of trunk and root trees, which are very promising. Showler [57] used an organic mixture composed of corn meal, humic acid, molasses and fish oil to suppress greasy spot in infected trees. An increase in soluble solids content and a weight loss reduction in treated trees, as a result of the healing treatment during three years, provided similar results as ozone did. According to Perez-Nafarrate [55], the insecticide and plaguicide action of ozonated water proved to be faster

HLB, like many other plant diseases, be diminished effectively with ozonated water. Gas concentration used, soil quality and the effectiveness of the irrigation system were the critical parameters to observe in the experiment. This clean and affordable technology is efficient to control HLB, but more research is still needed

Sugarcane (*Saccharum spp hybrids*) is a tall perennial grass traditionally grown in tropical zones and used for obtaining sugar concentrates, molasses and other derivatives [58, 59]. Good manufacturing practices and biological control of diseases allow the correct development of this plant. It is common to find a considerable number of microorganisms in sugarcane such as bacteria, fungi and viruses,

**7. Innovation project: use of ozone to control diseases of sugarcane**

all these entities cause several diseases in the cultivar [60] as shown below:

to eradicate this bacterium from Mexico and its surroundings.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96681*

pandemic is urgently recommended.

**6.2 Methodology**

**6.3 Results and discussion**

than traditional methods.

**7.1 Introduction**

**Figure 6.** *HLB symptoms in Mexican lemon tree. Source: www.gob.mx/agricultura.*

*Innovation in Food Products Using Ozone Technology: Impact on Quality Assurance DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96681*

Since 2010, HLB has been spread to the American continent especially those areas with frequent rainfall and template temperatures. HLB in Mexico is a serious threat to the 526 thousand hectares of citrus distributed in twenty-three Federal Entities. This in turn represents a production risk of 6.7 million tons per year with a value of more than 400 million dollars. Around 67,000 producers engaged to citric industry generated approximately 70,000 direct jobs and 250,000 indirect jobs, all of them endangered by HLB [54]. Specific research in Mexico to counteract this pandemic is urgently recommended.

#### **6.2 Methodology**

*Innovation in the Food Sector Through the Valorization of Food and Agro-Food By-Products*

able to most of the population.

**trees**

**6.1 Introduction**

Good manufacturing practices are essential to accomplish nopal processing with ozone. Water quality and soil requirements monitoring were key factors to improve the postharvest life of nopal opuntia. An innovative option for rural population centers was presented to detonate the local economy. Almost 50% of inhabitants in Mexico are distributed in rural areas, therefore ozone technology should be afford-

**6. Innovation project: use of ozone to counteract** *Huanglongbing* **in citrus** 

The *Huanglongbing* (HLB) disease or "yellow dragon", affects the worldwide production of citrus (lemon, tangerine, orange). *Diaphorina citri* (Kuwayama), the insect vector of HLB, is the main responsible as shown in **Figure 5** [49, 50]. HLB is mainly distributed in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) and Africa. Farmers invest up to 50 insecticide doses per year to control the vector and avoid the spread of the disease [51]. Symptoms of this plant disease include damage in tree and fruit, sparce yellow foliage, and stunting among others as shown in **Figure 6** [52], shortening of the productive life of the plant, and detriment of final quality product [53].

**78**

**Figure 6.**

**Figure 5.**

*HLB in citrus tree. Source: www.gob.mx/agricultura.*

*HLB symptoms in Mexican lemon tree. Source: www.gob.mx/agricultura.*

In 2013, a collaboration protocol was signed between TRIO3 Food Technologies, the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP, for its acronym in spanish) and Los Limones Orchard, located in Tecoman; Colima (18°46′38.04′´ N, 103°48′56.74′´ W). Pérez-Nafarrate [55] evaluated the effect of ozone to eradicate the HLB disease in the productive region previously mentioned. Two main objectives were proposed: first, the early detection of infected trees in the growing season; and second to evaluate the damage spread by the vector in those trees with an advanced stage of the disease, and register its total loss [56]. Fifteen hectares planted with real lemon were micro-sprinkler irrigated with ozonated water, and nutrients were added to roots of trees every third day during six months. The sprinkler irrigation process was evaluated at the end of the experiment.

#### **6.3 Results and discussion**

Ozone applied in Los Limones Orchard considerably reduced the population of larvae and adult vectors increasing the citrus production (data not shown). After ozonated water process concluded in lemon trees, other benefits were observed by farmers and technical staff including the improvement of the foliage coloration, and strengthening of trunk and root trees, which are very promising. Showler [57] used an organic mixture composed of corn meal, humic acid, molasses and fish oil to suppress greasy spot in infected trees. An increase in soluble solids content and a weight loss reduction in treated trees, as a result of the healing treatment during three years, provided similar results as ozone did. According to Perez-Nafarrate [55], the insecticide and plaguicide action of ozonated water proved to be faster than traditional methods.

HLB, like many other plant diseases, be diminished effectively with ozonated water. Gas concentration used, soil quality and the effectiveness of the irrigation system were the critical parameters to observe in the experiment. This clean and affordable technology is efficient to control HLB, but more research is still needed to eradicate this bacterium from Mexico and its surroundings.

#### **7. Innovation project: use of ozone to control diseases of sugarcane**

#### **7.1 Introduction**

Sugarcane (*Saccharum spp hybrids*) is a tall perennial grass traditionally grown in tropical zones and used for obtaining sugar concentrates, molasses and other derivatives [58, 59]. Good manufacturing practices and biological control of diseases allow the correct development of this plant. It is common to find a considerable number of microorganisms in sugarcane such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, all these entities cause several diseases in the cultivar [60] as shown below:

Most common organisms found in sugarcane include: red rot (*Colletotrichum falcatum*) [61]; wilt (*Fusarium sacchari*) [62]; grassy shoot (*Exitanius indicus*) [63]; leaf scald (*Xanthomonas albilineans*) [64]; smut (*Sporisorium scitamineum*) [65, 66]; brown rust (*Puccinia melanocephala*) and orange rust (*Puccinia kuchnii*) [67].

The diseases of major economic importance in sugarcane are described as follows:

Mosaic disease. Is produced by Sugarcane mosaic virus and attacks young plants making areas appear on leaves pale green and yellowish within a normal green. The reeds become stunted causing production declines [68].

Eyespot. This name is derived from the powdery black mass of spores associated with this disease. The affected plants show a reddish elliptical lesion surrounded by a yellowish structure that varies in size. The spores of the fungus Ustilago scitaminea are transmitted by wind, rain, irrigation water, seeds or animals [69].

Rust. Produced by the fungus Puccinia melanocephala manifested by many elongated spots on the leaves, show no growth and the stem become thin. The yellowish spots look at the whole sheet [70].

Leaf scald. The causal organism Xanthomonas albineans is a bacterial disease first observed in Cuba in 1979. X. albineans causes sudden death of entire stems and seedlings affecting significantly sugarcane yields [64]. Leaf scald is also called in Latin America "gomosis", a plant disease characterized by an abundant production of gum. Gomosis caused by Xanthomona axonopodis involves widespread dwarfism in plant [70].

Ratoon stunting disease. RSD caused by Leifsonia xyli spp. was observed in Cuba for the first time in 1953. Several stunted stems very thin are present within the plant and short internodes. Damaged stems increase as the number of cuts in the field is higher [71].

The ozonated water irrigation provides a greater contribution of oxygen to the root. Ozonated water is free of viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, spores and any other microorganism. Growth is achieved faster than usual with more liveliness and strength as well as more productivity. This irrigation method is beneficial for plants, and is currently used in fruit trees, vineyards and crops in general. Ozonated water achieves the prevention of plant diseases such as leaf scald and rust reducing the microbiological load. Chemical products such as pesticides and fungicides are reduced improving the shelf life of fresh products [60].

#### **7.2 Methodology**

On July 4 2008 was signed a collaborative project between the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA, for its acronym in spanish) and the National Institute of Research of Sugarcane in Havana-Pinar del Río. Red ferritic soil was used to grow up a 9-month agamic seed from 5 varieties identified as follows: C323–68, C86–56, C86–456, C88–380, and C90–530. The experimental design (divided plots 5 x 6 x 2) included 180 buds from each variety with two replicates, 5 varieties and 6 treatments. Finally, sugarcane certified quality seeds (P. Vista Florida cv. 115–2014) previously treated with ozonated water were introduced among the producers as shown in **Figure 7**.

The exposure time in ozonated water was 10, 20, and 30 min respectively. The treatments included a hot water-chemical treatment, a biological one, and a sample control [52]. The measurements were carried out one and six months after sowing. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of ozonated water on sugarcane seed growing. The viability and growth of agamic seeds of sugarcane used was also evaluated. The ozone equipment used is shown in **Figure 8**.

**81**

treatment.

**Figure 8.**

**Figure 7.**

*7.2.1 Treatment with ozonated water*

*Equipment used for the ozonation of water.*

30 min respectively.

*7.2.2 Witness without treatment*

An irrigation and sprinkler system with ozonated water to promote the growth of sugarcane is shown in **Figures 9** and **10**. The fungicide was reduced progressively to control and eliminate fungus and pests as the amount of ozonated water increased. Previously, 90 buds were submerged in ozonated water during 24 h. Thirty buds per variety were immersed in ozonated water (1 ppm) for 10, 20, and

Thirty buds per variety were soaked on water for 24 h without applying any

*Innovation in Food Products Using Ozone Technology: Impact on Quality Assurance*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96681*

*Certified sugarcane seed P. Vista Florida. Cv. 115–2014.*

*Innovation in Food Products Using Ozone Technology: Impact on Quality Assurance DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96681*

**Figure 7.** *Certified sugarcane seed P. Vista Florida. Cv. 115–2014.*

*Innovation in the Food Sector Through the Valorization of Food and Agro-Food By-Products*

reeds become stunted causing production declines [68].

lowish spots look at the whole sheet [70].

Most common organisms found in sugarcane include: red rot (*Colletotrichum falcatum*) [61]; wilt (*Fusarium sacchari*) [62]; grassy shoot (*Exitanius indicus*) [63]; leaf scald (*Xanthomonas albilineans*) [64]; smut (*Sporisorium scitamineum*) [65, 66]; brown rust (*Puccinia melanocephala*) and orange rust (*Puccinia kuchnii*) [67]. The diseases of major economic importance in sugarcane are described as

Mosaic disease. Is produced by Sugarcane mosaic virus and attacks young plants making areas appear on leaves pale green and yellowish within a normal green. The

Eyespot. This name is derived from the powdery black mass of spores associated with this disease. The affected plants show a reddish elliptical lesion surrounded by a yellowish structure that varies in size. The spores of the fungus Ustilago scitaminea are transmitted by wind, rain, irrigation water, seeds or animals [69]. Rust. Produced by the fungus Puccinia melanocephala manifested by many elongated spots on the leaves, show no growth and the stem become thin. The yel-

Leaf scald. The causal organism Xanthomonas albineans is a bacterial disease first observed in Cuba in 1979. X. albineans causes sudden death of entire stems and seedlings affecting significantly sugarcane yields [64]. Leaf scald is also called in Latin America "gomosis", a plant disease characterized by an abundant production of gum. Gomosis caused by Xanthomona axonopodis involves widespread dwarf-

Ratoon stunting disease. RSD caused by Leifsonia xyli spp. was observed in Cuba for the first time in 1953. Several stunted stems very thin are present within the plant and short internodes. Damaged stems increase as the number of cuts

The ozonated water irrigation provides a greater contribution of oxygen to the

On July 4 2008 was signed a collaborative project between the National Institute

The exposure time in ozonated water was 10, 20, and 30 min respectively. The treatments included a hot water-chemical treatment, a biological one, and a sample control [52]. The measurements were carried out one and six months after sowing. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of ozonated water on sugarcane seed growing. The viability and growth of agamic seeds of sugarcane used was also

of Agrarian Innovation (INIA, for its acronym in spanish) and the National Institute of Research of Sugarcane in Havana-Pinar del Río. Red ferritic soil was used to grow up a 9-month agamic seed from 5 varieties identified as follows: C323–68, C86–56, C86–456, C88–380, and C90–530. The experimental design (divided plots 5 x 6 x 2) included 180 buds from each variety with two replicates, 5 varieties and 6 treatments. Finally, sugarcane certified quality seeds (P. Vista Florida cv. 115–2014) previously treated with ozonated water were introduced

root. Ozonated water is free of viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, spores and any other microorganism. Growth is achieved faster than usual with more liveliness and strength as well as more productivity. This irrigation method is beneficial for plants, and is currently used in fruit trees, vineyards and crops in general. Ozonated water achieves the prevention of plant diseases such as leaf scald and rust reducing the microbiological load. Chemical products such as pesticides and fungicides are

reduced improving the shelf life of fresh products [60].

among the producers as shown in **Figure 7**.

evaluated. The ozone equipment used is shown in **Figure 8**.

**80**

follows:

ism in plant [70].

**7.2 Methodology**

in the field is higher [71].

**Figure 8.** *Equipment used for the ozonation of water.*
