Full Length Research Article
Retraction in process: Efficacy of Pelargonium graveolens essential oils against some postharvest fungal diseases of apple
Yassir Elouadi1, Hajar Bendaif2, Hamza Assaggaf3, Emad M Abdallah4*, Mouna Mekkaoui5, Hanae Naceiri Mrabti6, Mounir Manssouri1, Tauofiq Benali7, Abdelhakim Bouyahya8, Abdelhamid Bouyanzer1
Adv. life sci., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 195-201, July 2022
*- Corresponding Author: Emad M Abdallah (Email: Emad100sdl@yahoo.com)
Authors' Affiliations
2. LCOMPN-URAC25, Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Macromolecular and Natural Products, Mohamed 1st University, Oujda – Morocco
3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah – Saudi Arabia
4. Department of Science Laboratories, College of Science and Arts, Qassim University, Ar Rass – Saudi Arabia
5. Pharmacodynamics Research Team ERP, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat – Morocco
6. Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Bio Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Analysis Research Team, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V in Rabat – Morocco
7. Environment and Health Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, Sidi Bouzid – Morocco
8. Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Mohammed V University in Rabat – Morocco
Editorial Expression of Concern
20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about suspected plagiarism. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of the errors as we reconcile the records.
Editorial Note:
25 June 2025: While rerunning the Turnitin originality analysis, a similarity index of 38% was found for this article (7% from a single source). Editorial board of Advancements in Life Sciences has started the process of retracting this article due to the above post-publication findings. The process shall be concluded after registering responses from the authors. Meanwhile, full text of the article shall remain unavailable for citations (this notice has been updated following insights derived from relevant COPE cases and the industry standards). Show of cause notice has also been issued to the concerned editorial team member.
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References
Abstract
Background: Postharvest diseases that occur in apples are often caused by various pathogenic fungi, causing serious economic loss. The pathogenic fungi Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Botrytis cinerea are among the most common pathogens in apples. The goal of this study was to see whether Moroccan Pelargonium graveolens essential oil (PGEO) could protect apple fruits from fungal infections after they were harvested (in vitro).
Methods: PGEO was characterized by GC-MS and for antifungal assessment, in vitro poisoned food (PF) and volatile activity testing (VA) were carried out.
Results: The investigation revealed that PGEO was effective against the three tested phytopathogenic fungi in a dose-dependent manner and this antifungal activity increased with the volatile activity test. The MIC value was 2 µL/mL for B. cinera, and R. stolonifer, and 1 µL/mL for P. expansum. Volatile fraction stops the growth of B. cinera at 40 µL / disc (QMI = 40 µL / disc), and of P. expansum and R. stolonifer at 80 µL / disc (QMI = 80 µL / disc).
Conclusion: The current findings show that Moroccan PGEO has powerful antifungal activities, suggesting that it might be used instead of synthetic fungicides to combat apple post-harvest infections.
Keywords: Pelargonium graveolens; Antifungal activity; Essential oil; Poisoned food; Volatile activity test; Apple
