Journal of Plant Pathology (2004) 86, p. 327 (Ortu et al.)

G. Ortu, M.A. Demontis, B. Scherm, M. Budroni and Q. Migheli (2004)
Biofilm formation by a flor strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae may play a role in the biological control potential against postharvest rot of apple caused by Penicillium expansum
Journal of Plant Pathology 86 (4), 327-327
XI Meeting, Italian Society for Plant Pathology, Milan, 29/9 - 1/10, 2004 (poster)
Abstract: It is well known that during the aging of wines such as the Fino sherry or Malvasia, the formation of aroma compounds takes place as a result of the oxidative metabolism of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae flor yeasts, which form a film on the surface of the wine. These microorganisms utilise compounds such as ethanol, glycerol, organic acids (acetic, lactic, citric and succinic), and amino acids, including proline. At the same time, flor yeasts produce other compounds, namely higher alcohols (isobutanol and isoamilic), acetaldehyde and acetoin. Aim of this study was to test the potential of biofilm-forming strains of S. cerevisiae as biocontrol agents against postharvest rot of apple caused by the phytopathogenic fungus and patulin-producer Penicillium expansum. The film-forming S. cerevisiae strain M25 showed significant ability to reduce postharvest decay of apples. The biocontrol effect depended on the medium, growth conditions, and the stage at which the yeast was collected and inoculated into artificial wounds. The biocontrol effect of this particular yeast strain may be due to the accumulation of higher alcohols, acetaldehyde or acetoin within the wound. Alternatively, biofilm formation may allow efficient colonisation of the wound surface, thus inhibiting infection by the pathogen. Although the practical possibility to develop S. cerevisiae as a biocontrol agent is probably weak, the results presented here open new avenues for a genome-based approach to the study of the mechanism of action of antagonistic yeasts.
Database assignments for author(s): Quirico Migheli

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Penicillium expansum	Stored fruits/vegetables	Italy
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (antagonist)	Penicillium expansum	Stored fruits/vegetables	Italy