2.1.2 Important results

(ethanol) and some functional food like inulin, fructooligosaccharides and fructose. Moreover, some bioactive metabolites from its leaves and stems have been used in some pharmaceutical industries [1]. Storage JA tuber, controlled rots can be done by various techniques including; cold temperature, removal of diseases in tubers and minimizing mechanical injuries or application of synthetic fungicides. Another simple applied method in developing countries is keeping the tubers in the soil. Unfortunately, many fungi diseases can grow at cold storage temperatures and lead to damage, especially in extending long storage [2], However, storage of the harvested tubers usually results in high losses in quality, caused mainly by desiccation, rotting, sprouting, freezing and inulin degradation. A common solution is the use of synthetic chemical fungicides, however, their use is accompanied by threatening human health and the environment by supporting the emergence of resistant pathogens and by contamination of food with the pesticide deposits [3]. Essential oils, as green fungicides, are emerging as a better alternative of synthetic fungicides

due to their high efficacy, biodegradability, eco-safety and volatile nature.

storage result in sprouting and loss of nutritive value of tubers [4]. Sprouting reduces the weight, the nutritional and processing quality of tubers and the number of marketable potatoes, being responsible for important economic losses during potatoes storage [5]. These physiological changes affect the internal composition of the tuber and destruction of edible material and changes in nutritional quality [6]. Various methods are available to control sprouting during storage. The primary method to control sprouting in storage is with postharvest application of isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (chlorpropham; CIPC). CIPC inhibits sprout development by interfering with cell division [7]. Therefore, a pressing need exists to find other, more environmentally acceptable sprout inhibitors for tubers. Nowadays it's very important to use natural products compounds such as essential oils.

Respiration of potato tubers during storage and breakdown of dormancy during

Broccoli sprouts are considered as a functional food. Essential nutrient content provides diverse secondary metabolites and phytochemicals [8]. The phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids and anthocyanin, show a great ability capture free radical that leading to oxidative stress, to these compounds are attributed a beneficial effect in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, circulatory problems, neurological disorders and cancer [9]. Broccoli has been identified as a vegetable with potential anti-cancer activity due to high levels of glucosinolates. The use of essential oil treatments rich in antioxidant to stimulate broccoli seed germination should be considered. Application of thyme and basil oil at 4% reduced the pathogenic fungi from seed to seedling and had a positive effect on the seed germination of infected seeds [10]. Aromatic plants especially essential oils are well known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that prevent food degradation and alteration [11], as they are rich in phenolic substances, usually referred to as polyphe-

2.1 Alternative preservation method against sclerotium tuber rot of Jerusalem

Two experiments were conducted in Mansoura laboratory for vegetable crop handling and postharvest according to the storage method. In the first experiment, the tubers were kept in perforated polyethylene bags (0.075 mm thickness), and

nols, which are ubiquitous components of plants and herbs.

2. Application of essential oils

Essential Oils - Oils of Nature

2.1.1 Methodology

100

artichoke using natural essential oils
