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Botrytis cinerea, is a necrotrophic fungus that causes gray mold on fruits and vegetables. This mold ranked second in the list of the top ten fungal pathogens. The aim of this study was to develop a system for rapid and accurate identification and quantification of B. cinerea on fresh raspberry by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and a comparison was made between traditional methods (cell culture) and molecular tool. Raspberry samples were purchased from the local supermarkets. Raspberry diluted samples were cultivated on Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol agar selective medium used for the growth of mold, then DNA was extracted from the same samples and qPCR was done. In classical methods (cell culture) the result was negative (no fungal colony growth). By the qPCR technique, B. cinerea was detected in two out of the three samples. In qPCR technology, the test proved to be selective, rapid and sensitive and can be used for the diagnosis of B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of biochemical transformation and microbiological contamination that can occur during storing and commercialization, freshly picked fruits and vegetables tend to be very perishable products, thus having a shortened shelf life. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are microorganisms that play a crucial role in a wide variety of fermentation processes. Using microorganisms Generally recognized as safe (GRAS), LAB, including their metabolites, is proven to be a promising alternative of food preservation by respecting food safety measures in a natural way. Such metabolites produced and released by probiotic lactic bacteria strains are known as postbiotics. Vegetables and fruits can benefit from the antagonistic activity of postbiotics due to their content of bioactive products, such as short-chain fatty acids, antimicrobial peptides, organic acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and enzymes. This review is focused on the advances of the sustainable biopreservation products to extend the shelf life of perishable fruits and leafy vegetables, by the use of synergic postbiotics from LAB strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]