Biodegradation of patulin by a Byssochlamys nivea strain

Abstract

This paper describes the discovery and isolation of a new wild-type microorganism, FF1-2 strain, for biodegradation of high concentration of patulin. The filamentous fungus FF1-2, identified to belong to Byssochlamys nivea (CCTCC M2013547), was enriched and isolated from the fermentation liquor pit mud. The patulin degradation by the FF1-2 strain was studied under such different conditions as pH, temperature and culture media. The strain grew and degraded patulin at 20～46 °C and pH 3.0–5.0. The change of pH studied had little effect on the patulin degradation capability in contrast with the significant temperature effects. The optimum temperature for patulin degradation was 37 °C, at which patulin at 500 μg/mL level in the culture media was degraded to a virtually undetectable level in 5 days. 97.1% of patulin was degraded in the apple puree at 30 °C in 9 days. This study for the first time found that filamentous fungi have the ability to degrade patulin. The experimental results manifest the potential of the FF1-2 strain in dealing with patulin contamination in such food industries as fruit processing.