Banana (Musa spp.) fruit rot caused by Colletotrichum musae is the most serious post harvest disease. In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out to evaluate the fungitoxicity of the essential oil of Piper aduncum (pimenta-de-macaco) against the pathogen. The oil at concentrations above 100 µg/ml completely inhibited the mycelial growth and spore germination. In vivo testing was performed by making holes in the bananas and filling the holes with 20 µl of spore suspension and 20 µl of oil dilution. The results showed that at a dilution of 1% the development of banana rot was avoided.
