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Saprophytic yeasts: effective biocontrol agents against Aspergillus flavus


Citation

Afsah Hejri, Leili (2013) Saprophytic yeasts: effective biocontrol agents against Aspergillus flavus. International Food Research Journal, 20 (6). pp. 3403-3409. ISSN 1985-4668; ESSN: 2231-7546

Abstract

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic fungal toxins predominantly produced by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and Aspergillus parasiticus (A. parasiticus). Members of the Aspergillus family are wound-invading pathogens that can infect pistachio trees and nuts. The pistachio nut is a favorite tree nut worldwide, and more than half of the world's pistachio production is from Iran. Pistachio nuts can easily be infected with Aspergillus spp. due to early splitting or due to animal, insect or physical damage. Any established infection of Aspergillus under high relative humidity and temperature results in the production and rapid accumulation of aflatoxins in pistachio nuts. It is impractical to remove aflatoxins from pistachio nuts after they are produced. Some microorganisms (such as saprophytic yeasts) have been reported to have an antagonistic effect against Aspergillus spp. This study aimed to isolate saprophytic yeasts from pistachio fruits and leaves and investigate their biocontrol activities against a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus). Saprophytic yeasts were identified based on their morphological properties and biochemical tests. In total, 24 yeast isolates were obtained from pistachio fruits and leaves, and their antagonistic effect on A. flavus (PTCC 5006) was investigated. Five saprophytic yeast isolates, displaying the highest biocontrol activities against A. flavus (PTCC 5006), were identified as Pseudozyma fusiformata, Cryptococcus albidus, Rhodotorula fragaria, Cryptococcus hungaricus and Rhodotorula hinula. The biocontrol activities of these yeast isolates were evaluated by their inhibitory effects on sporulation, colony expansion, biomass production and prevention of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production. Pseudozyma fusiformata was the most effective yeast isolate in terms of spore reduction (84.6%) and inhibition of AFB1 production (89.1%). Cryptococcus albidus produced the maximum reduction in fungal dry weight (77.9%). Based on these results, isolated saprophytic yeasts from pistachio fruits and leaves can be used as effective biocontrol agents against the growth of Aspergillus and aflatoxin production.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Divisions: Faculty of Food Science and Technology
Publisher: Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Keywords: Aflatoxins; Aspergillus flavus; Pistachio nuts; Saprophytic yeasts; Biocontrol
Depositing User: Najah Mohd Ali
Date Deposited: 10 Dec 2015 08:11
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2015 08:11
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/41076
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

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