Abstract
The strains of the yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima have strong biocontrol activity against various microorganisms. Biocontrol activity of M. pulcherrima largely depends on its iron immobilizing pigment pulcherrimin. Biocontrol activity of pulcherrimin producing strain, M. pulcherrima UMY15, isolated from local vineyards, was tested on different molds that cause food spoilage. M. pulcherrima UMY15 was a very effective biocontrol agent against Penicillium roqueforti, P. italicum, P. expansum, and Aspergillus oryzae in in-vitro plate tests. However, the inhibitory activity of M. pulcherrima UMY15 was less effective on Fusarium sp. and A. niger species in biocontrol assays. In addition, M. pulcherrima UMY15 strain completely inhibited the germination and mycelia growth of A. oryzae, A. parasiticus, and Fusarium sp. spores on artificial wounds of apples when they coinoculated with M. pulcherrima UMY15. Moreover, when coinoculated, M. pulcherrima UMY15 strain also inhibited the growth of P. roqueforti, P. italicum, P. expansum, A. oryzae, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus sp. in grape juice, indicating that M. pulcherrima UMY15 can be used as a very effective biocontrol yeast against various species of postharvest pathogens, including Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Rhizopus.
Highlights
Postharvest spoilage of fruits and vegetables by various molds results in substantial economic loss every year [1]
We have found that the M. pulcherrima UMY15 strain, isolated from a local vineyard in Turkey, is a very effective biocontrol agent against different species of Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Fusarium on synthetic growth medium and on apple
The inhibitory or antagonistic effects of M. pulcherrima UMY15 strain on the spore germination and the growth of eight different mold species were first investigated by plate tests
Summary
Postharvest spoilage of fruits and vegetables by various molds results in substantial economic loss every year [1]. Different yeast species have been used as effective biocontrol agents against certain fungal pathogens [8,9,10,11] Some of these yeasts are Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Trichosporon pullulans, Rhodotorula glutinis, Pichia membranifaciens, and Pichia anomala. Each one of these biocontrol or antagonistic yeasts can effectively inhibit growth of the various fungal pathogens on different fruits and vegetables. Some of these yeasts or their products have been commercially produced by different companies as biocontrol agents [9, 12]. Competition for nutrient and space, secretion of specific lytic enzymes, and synthesis and secretion of specific inhibitory secondary metabolites are the only few examples of the mechanisms of the action for the biocontrol yeasts [8, 13]
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