Abstract: The optimal single and combined ethanol extracts of Chinese herbal medicines inhibiting the main postharvest pathogens of strawberry were screened and the optimal concentrations of three selected ethanol extracts when used combinatorially were determined using orthogonal array design to be 1 g/L for both Flos Caryophylli and Fructus Cnidii and 1.5 g/L for Fructus Psoralea. The fresh-keeping effects of Flos Caryophylli ethanol extract, carbendazim as a chemical preservative and the best combination of three selected ethanol extracts on strawberry were compared. The results showed that various preservative groups could the weight loss rate and decay rate of strawberry and reduce the decrease of soluble solid and vitamin C contents. Moreover, the combination of Flos Caryophylli, Fructus Cnidii and Fructus Psoralea was superior to Flos Caryophylli and carbendazim in terms of physicochemical properties of treated strawberry. 

Key words: strawberry, Chinese herbal medicine, complex preservative, pathogenic fungi