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Patulin (PAT) is a toxic class of mycotoxins, which is produced by fungi mainly by Penicillium expansum. Samples of apples (740 samples from Amri, Gacha, Kala Kulu, and Golden cultivars) and of apple juices (740 samples) available domestically in Pakistan were analysed for PAT contamination using HPLC with a UV detector. The results have shown that 67.5% and 61.6% samples of apples and juices were found to be positive with PAT, respectively. The highest averages levels 310.8 ± 21.5 μg/kg and 290.8 ± 14.6 μg/kg were found in samples of golden apples and juices, respectively. The findings have shown that 44.8% samples of apples were found levels higher than the European Union (EU) permissible limit (i.e. 50 µg/kg). Furthermore, 41.0% samples of apple juices have amount of PAT higher than the recommended limit of EU. The artificially inoculated apple with Penicillium expansum, a level 5080 ± 230.4 μg/kg was found in the decayed section. The maximum dietary intake of PAT was estimated to be 15.7 and 17.93 µg/kg bw/day in males and female individuals. The results have shown that even removing the decayed portion of apples, a considerable amount of PAT penetrates during the process of making juices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infection is a potential issue in citrus fruits, while essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus and Citrus limon could be better alternatives to synthetic fungicides in orange preservation. The nanoparticles produced during ultrasonication exhibited a monomodal distribution of particle sizes with a mean zeta potential and a polydispersity index mean value of 74.12 nm, −38.4 mV, and 0.19 for C. citratus and 103 nm, −28.4 mV, and 0.22 for C. limon. The micrographs of the nanoemulsions exhibited spherical morphology with diverse nanometer-scale sizes. Nanoemulsification enhances the levels of neral and geranial in both oils while reducing the levels of limonene, γ-terpinene, and β-myrcene. The essential oils and their nanoemulsions exhibited good MIC values against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, ranging from 2% to 0.12%, while MBC was 4% to 0.25% (v/v) for both. The extended genetic investigation of the isolated fungal strains from Thomson Navel oranges through analysis of the ITS sequences and BLAST indicated 100% homology to those of Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium expansum. Both oils' MIC and MFC values and nanoemulsions ranged from 0.12% to 0.06% and 2% to 0.03% against P. expansum and P. digitatum , respectively. Applying nanoemulsified C. limon and C. citratus as a coating on orange fruits significantly reduced the spread of P. expansum and P. digitatum fungi compared to the control. Coating with nanoemulsions reduced the negative changes in quality parameters during storage, such as weight loss, firmness, TSS, TA, pH, and ascorbic acid content. Citrus limon nanoemulsion did not alter the coated fruits' sensory attributes compared to C. citratus nanoemulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the sensitivity of apple fruit to many pests and diseases and the sensitivity of consumers to synthetic pesticides, the use of plant essential oils has increased to increase the lifespan of various horticultural products, including apples. In this research, total phenol, total flavonoid and antioxidant properties of Elettaria cardamomum essential oil were investigated. In addition, the antimicrobial property of this essential oil was evaluated on a number of fungi that cause spoilage of apple fruit, including Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria alternata. The phenol and flavonoid content of E. cardamomum essential oil was equal to 69.60 mg of gallic acid per gram of essential oil and 27.40 mg of quercetin per gram of essential oil, respectively. The amount of antioxidant property of E. cardamomum essential oil in DPPH and ABTS free radical inhibition method was obtained as 57.30% and 63.60%, respectively. In the investigation of the antifungal property, the largest inhibition zone was observed in P. expansum by disk diffusion and agar well methods, and the minimum inhibitory concentration for P. expansum and B. cinerea fungi was 8 mg/ml and minimum fungicidal concentration was 64 mg/ml. Considering the high antioxidant and antifungal properties of E. cardamomum essential oil, it can be used as a suitable alternative to synthetic fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Prevention of fungal contamination and the occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feeds requires the development of new antifungal approaches. The antifungal proteins (AFPs) produced by some fungi provide great potential for the control of contaminating fungi. In the present study, the antifungal activity of the protein PeAfpA from Penicillium expansum was compared with fungicides used in post‐harvest control (imazalil and thiabendazole) and food preservatives (calcium propionate, sodium, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and natamycin), against 23 fungal species belonging to the genera Penicillium, Fusarium, Byssochlamys, Aspergillus and Alternaria. In general, PeAfpA had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) followed by natamycin, the fungicides, and the chemical preservatives. PeAfpA was able to completely inhibit the growth of all tested fungi at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 8 μg mL−1. In addition, we assessed the effects of PeAfpA in combination with imazalil, thiabendazole, natamycin, or potassium sorbate against four representative fungal species. Our results provide evidence for partial synergistic and additive effects between the protein PeAfpA and the other compounds tested. This study concludes that PeAfpA, alone or in combination with fungicides or food preservatives, has a great potential to prevent fungal contamination and reduce the required dosage of fungicides or chemical preservatives used in food conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study marks the first report on the genetic characterization of Penicillium expansum strain capable of mycotoxin production isolated from river water. Situated in Ganagalawanipeta village, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India, where river water serves as a vital resource, our investigation probed the presence of pathogenic opportunistic fungi adept at mycotoxin synthesis. Over six months, 30 samples were collected to assess their occurrence. This article revolves around the use of morphological traits for Penicillium genus identification. Precise species determination involved PCR analysis using universal primers ITS1 and ITS4, followed by sequence analysis through NCBI-BLASTn and the ITS2 database. The analysis indicated a striking 99.49% genetic similarity to Penicillium expansum isolate MW559596 from CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, an Indian isolate, with a resultant 600-base pair fragment. This sequence was officially cataloged as OR536221 in the NCBI GenBank database. Sequence and phylogenetic assessments were conducted to pinpoint the strain and geographical origin. Notably, the ribosomal nuclear ITS region displayed significant inter- and intra-specific divergence, manifested in DNA barcodes and secondary structures established via minimum free energy calculations. These findings provide crucial insights into the genetic diversity and potential mycotoxin production of P. expansum isolates, shedding light on the environmental repercussions and health risks associated with river water contamination from agricultural and aquaculture effluents. This pioneering research advances our understanding of mycotoxin-producing fungi in aquatic environments and underscores the imperative need for water quality monitoring in regions reliant on such water sources for their sustenance and livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing demand for fruit safety assurance and environmental protection, plant essential oils have gained significant attention as natural alternatives for control of postharvest decay caused by various pathogens. In postharvest management, it is particularly important to effectively control postharvest decay without compromising the quality attributes of fruits. Although oregano essential oil (OEO) has been extensively studied for its antimicrobial properties against various postharvest pathogens, few studies have focused on its interactions with postharvest fruits. In this study, OEO was applied for management of postharvest decay of Pyrus sinkiangensis caused by Penicillium expansum, and its antifungal mechanisms and impacts on the quality attributes of pears were investigated. The OEO exhibited notable inhibitory effects, with determined MIC (0.02%) and MFC (0.04%) against P. expansum, which highlighted its potential as a viable alternative to synthetic fungicides. Our findings revealed that OEO disrupted P. expansum by compromising the integrity of the fungal plasma membrane, as evidenced by changes in plasma membrane permeability and the leakage of cellular components. The OEO treatment significantly reduced weight loss, maintained firmness, and preserved soluble-solid content in the treated pears. In addition, OEO treatment stimulated the intrinsic antioxidant mechanisms of pears, as demonstrated by elevated activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase during storage. This study provides compelling evidence for the antifungal and quality-preserving properties of OEO in the postharvest management of pears, underscoring its potential as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling postharvest decay. The elucidation of the interaction between OEO and P. sinkiangensis would greatly enhance our comprehensive understanding of the biological activities of OEO and facilitate its practical application in the postharvest management of pears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue mold caused by Penicilliumexpansum (P. expansum) causes severe fruit losses, and there is an urgent need to explore safe natural products to control post-harvest diseases and investigate potential antifungal mechanisms. In this study, flavonoids (GBLF) were extracted and purified from mature Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBL). According to an analysis of UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, and LC-MS, GBLF contained 10 flavonoids, including 8 quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. The inhibition halo diameter by GBLF ethanol solution reached a maximum of 11.2 ± 0.3 mm, which significantly inhibited the growth of P. expansum. In the GBLF ethanol solution treatment trial, the mycelial cells of P. expansum reached their maximum cell conductivity, protein leakage rate, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content at 48 h, with values of 3.89 ± 0.17 ms/cm, 5.22 ± 0.08 mg/L, and 5.76 ± 0.09 mmol/kg, respectively, which were 2.7, 13.74, and 4.76 times higher than those of the control. Compared with 12 h, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in the enzyme antioxidant system were 3.38 ± 0.11 U/mg, 5.23 ± 0.09 U/mg, and 2.66 ± 0.10 U/mg, respectively, which decreased by 30.2%, 20.09%, and 51.47%. In conclusion, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives in GBLF may act on P. expansum by increasing the permeability of cell membranes, reducing enzymatic antioxidant activity, and accelerating lipid peroxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium expansum causes blue mold, a major post-harvest disease affecting apples. This disease is commonly managed using fungicides, including Difenoconazole (Dif), a demethylation inhibitor (DMI) approved for its control. This investigation aims to evaluate the baseline sensitivity of 100 P. expansum isolates to Difenoconazole. The isolates were collected from symptomatic apples in 34 storage warehouses across the Fes-Meknes and Draa-Tafilalet regions over three years (2020, 2021, and 2022). The study revealed an increase in the percentage of inhibition of mycelial growth and spore germination of P. expansum proportional to the increasing concentration of the fungicide. Moreover, the results indicate that 46 isolates were able to develop even at a concentration of 5 µg/mL of Dif (the suggested discriminatory dose), indicating reduced sensitivity to this fungicide. The analysis of the values of the effective concentration to inhibit 50% (EC50) of mycelial growth of P. expansum ranging from 0.027 to 1.673 µg/mL (mean: 0.263 µg/mL, variation factor: 62.507) and for spore germination from 0.0002 to 0.787 µg/mL (mean: 0.048 µg/mL, variation factor: 4113.835). The wide variation in EC50 values indicates significant variability in the isolates' responses to Dif, likely due to diverse sampling in space and time. Our results showed that some P. expansum isolates could grow even at high concentrations of Dif, indicating limited efficacy of this treatment. The EC50 of five isolates exceeded 0.92 µg/mL, suggesting potential resistance. This study indicates reduced sensitivity and possible emergence of resistant strains. Notably, it is the first evaluation of P. expansum sensitivity to Dif in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue mold disease, caused by Penicillium italicum (P. italicum), presents a significant challenge to orange fruits (Citrus sinensis L.) and other citrus crops globally. Biological control, particularly Trichoderma species, offers a promising alternative to synthetic fungicides. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate, identify, and evaluate the antagonistic activities of two Trichoderma isolates against P. italicum. These isolates were molecularly identified and assigned accession numbers PP002254 and PP002272, respectively. Both isolates demonstrated significant antifungal activity in dual culture assays. Moreover, the culture filtrates (CFs) of Trichoderma longibrachiatum PP002254 and Trichoderma harzianum PP002272 suppressed the mycelial growth of P. italicum by 77.22% and 71.66%, respectively. Additionally, CFs reduced the severity of blue mold on orange fruits by 26.85% and 53.81%, compared to 100% in the control group. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that treated P. italicum hyphae were shrunken and disfigured. Enzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) in treated oranges increased, along with total soluble phenolics and flavonoids. Conversely, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in treated fruits. These findings suggest that T. longibrachiatum PP002254 and T. harzianum PP002272 could be effective biocontrol agents for managing blue mold and other citrus postharvest diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue mould disease is one of the most common postharvest apple diseases caused by Penicillium expansum. Some antagonistic yeasts have been used through laboratory experimentation to control the postharvest diseases of apples, but their control effectiveness needs further improvement. Induction of antagonistic yeasts by elicitors is an effective method that improves the biocontrol effectiveness of the yeast. Our previous study demonstrated that alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) significantly enhanced the biocontrol effectiveness of Debaryomyces hansenii in combating postharvest diseases in apples. Furthermore, the yeast's potential physiological biocontrol mechanisms have been previously documented. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with this were unclear. This study investigated the possible molecular mechanisms behind the enhanced efficacy of biological control by D. hansenii Y3 when cultured with AOS, based on transcriptome and proteome analysis. There were 408 differential genes and 114 differential proteins induced by AOS, which were mainly involved in enhancing the growth, reproduction, metabolism, stress resistance and energy synthesis, and more. These improvements collectively contribute to the heightened antagonistic efficacy of D. hansenii Y3. Our findings offer a valuable reference for future investigations into the utilisation of antagonistic yeasts for preventing and managing postharvest diseases in fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic fungi can cause significant annual losses in the quality and quantity of fruits belonging to Rosaceae family during pre‐ and postharvest. Synthetic fungicides are considered the main method for controlling diseases in food crops; however, they pose a great risk to human health and to the environment. As a result, biological control methods, which are based on living microorganisms to reduce the population or to inhibit the growth of pathogens, have arisen as a safe alternative. In this review, we highlight the principal mechanisms (e.g., nutrition and space competition, mycoparasitism, induced resistance and growth enhancement, production of volatile organic compounds, and antibiosis) utilized by the most frequently reported non‐Saccharomyces biocontrol agents (BCAs) yeasts: Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Pichia membranifaciens, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Hanseniaspora uvarum, and Aureobasidium pullulans, against the common pathogenic fungi found within Rosaceae family: Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, and Monilinia spp. Understanding BCAs' importance and mode of action is a necessary step in order to reduce the detrimental effect of spoilage fungi in the agriculture and food industry, by achieving a more sustainable and safer control of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Fresh ginseng is typically accompanied by soil after harvest, leading to contamination with harmful fungi during storage and distribution. In this study, we investigated the incidence of fungal contamination in fresh ginseng (5–6 years old) purchased from 22 different stores in Geumsan, Korea. RESULTS: The incidence of fungal contamination in the samples was 67.4–111.5%. Fusarium solani was the most abundant species in the head (38.5%) and fine root (19.3%) parts of the ginseng samples, whereas F. oxysporum was the most abundant in the main root (22.0%) part. We isolated Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium spp. (total number of isolates: 395) from the ginseng samples, and 138 isolates were identified using phylogenetic analysis. Polymerase chain reaction‐based screening of 65 mycotoxin‐producing species revealed that two P. expansum isolates were positive for citrinin and/or patulin, and five F. oxysporum isolates were positive for fumonisin biosynthesis gene. One P. expansum isolate produced 738.0 mg kg−1 patulin, and the other produced 10.4 mg kg−1 citrinin and 12.0 mg kg−1 patulin on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. Among the 47 representative F. oxysporum isolates, 43 (91.5%) produced beauvericin (0.1–15.4 mg kg−1) and four of them (8.5%) produced enniatin B and enniatin B1 (0.1–1.8 mg kg−1) as well. However, none of these toxins was detected in fresh ginseng samples. CONCLUSION: Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum were the most abundant species in fresh ginseng samples. Most F. oxysporum (43) and P. expansum (2) strains isolated from fresh ginseng produced beauvericin and enniatins (B and B1), and patulin or citrinin, respectively, on PDA medium. This is the first report of the mycotoxigenic potential of P. expansum and F. oxysporum strains isolated from fresh ginseng. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green and blue molds and sour rot, caused by Penicillium digitatum, P. italicum, and Geotrichum citri-aurantii, are postharvest diseases which represent an important economic issue in lemon production. Conventionally, their control involves the intensive use of synthetic fungicides, leading to the emergence of resistant strains and harmful residue accumulation on fruits. Present work explores the application of UV-B radiation (UVBr) and its combination with polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) or natamycin on lemons as alternative strategy to manage fungal postharvest diseases caused by fungicide-sensitive and resistant local isolates. UVBr applied in vitro inhibited mycelial growth and conidia viability of all pathogens at the highest assayed dose (5.2 J cm−2). Light preventive treatment applied on lemons with a non-fungicidal and non-phytotoxic UVBr dose of 0.1 J cm−2 significantly reduced disease incidences by approximately 30 to 55%, along with reducing disease severities. Both PHMG and natamycin effectively reduced disease incidences caused by all tested pathogens, with a notable synergistic effect when combining UVBr with natamycin against Penicillium-sensitive isolates. None of these treatments had adverse effects on fruit quality. Importantly, preventive UVBr treatment enabled lemons to maintain H2O2 levels at the wound site in the presence of P. digitatum, which typically suppresses H2O2 production in the host tissue. In conclusion, findings suggest that UVBr and its combination with low-toxicity compounds offer a promising environment-friendly alternative for controlling postharvest lemon diseases caused by both fungicide-sensitive and resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum infection results in severe postharvest deterioration of apples. Salicylic acid (SA) is an effective elicitor of fruit resistance. However, the metabolic mechanism of P. expansum infection of apples and the SA-mediated metabolic responses are still unknown. In this study, the metabolite changes during P. expansum infection of apples and SA-mediated disease resistance were explored by performing ultra-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 472 different metabolites were identified between the five groups of sample comparisons, and the correlated metabolic pathways were revealed by bioinformatics analysis. The upregulation of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, galactose metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism reflected energy conversion for P. expansum invasion and fruit disease resistance. Changes in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism and carbapenem biosynthesis reflected the biosynthesis of virulence factors and secondary metabolites for fungal infection. Metabolic pathways related to apple natural disease resistance mainly included the upregulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis and sphingolipid metabolism. SA promoted the TCA cycle, reactive oxygen metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis of apples for disease resistance. This study revealed the metabolic pathways of P. expansum infection of apples and SA-mediated disease resistance, which helps to improve the understanding of the pathogenic mechanism and disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue mold, caused by Penicillium italicum, is one of the main postharvest diseases of citrus fruits during storage and marketing. The pathogenic mechanism remains largely unclear. To explore the potential pathogenesis-related genes of this pathogen, a T-DNA insertion library of P. italicum PI5 was established via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT). The system yielded 200–250 transformants per million conidia, and the transformants were genetically stable after five generations of successive subcultures on hygromycin-free media. 2700 transformants were obtained to generate a T-DNA insertion library of P. italicum. Only a few of the 200 randomly selected mutants exhibited significantly weakened virulence on citrus fruits, with two mutants displaying attenuated sporulation. The T-DNA in the two mutants existed as a single copy. Moreover, the mutant genes PiBla (PITC_048370) and PiFTF1 (PITC_077280) identified may be involved in conidia production by regulating expressions of the key regulatory components for conidiogenesis. These results demonstrated that the ATMT system is useful to obtain mutants of P. italicum for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity and the obtained two pathogenesis-related genes might be novel loci associated with pathogenesis and conidia production. Highlights: •The ATMT approach has been optimised to construct mutant library of P. italcum. •Two mutants deficient in conidia production with reduced pathogenicity on citrus. •The corresponding mutant genes were identified as PiBla and PiFTF1, respectively. •The expression of three key regulators of conidiogenesis was altered in the mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a survey of post-harvest diseases of apple in Himachal Pradesh conducted during July to September 2021, fourteen different types of rots were observed. Among these, Penicillium expansum (blue mould) was most destructive with exclusive incidence of 43.8%. Surveys of different markets/stores of Himachal Pradesh revealed that the total losses due to apple decay at various locations varied from 7.80 to 21.93%. Ten important commercial varieties of apple were screened for their comparative susceptibility against fruit decay. Tydeman's Early Worcester was found to be most tolerant to all the rot causing fungi with mean per cent rotting of 23.26%.Cow urine was found most effective in providing 79.21% growth inhibition of test fungi under study. The next best bio-products were Emblica officinalis (amla), Melia azadirach (darek) and Dodonaea viscose (mehandu) with per cent growth inhibition of 75.66, 73.59 and 68.48%, respectively. Under in vitro conditions, mancozeb (0.1%) was the most effective fungicide providing 84.83% growth inhibition. The efficacy of mancozeb as dip treatment at 0.1% concentration was judged to be significantly superior followed by 0.05% carbendazim with per cent control of 95.97 and 92.35%, respectively. Preharvest spray of mancozeb (0.3%) was highly effective in checking all the test fungi under different type of storage for 2 months. 1-methyl cyclopropene (MCP) fumigation of apple fruits immediately after harvesting for 12 hours was most effective in checking the test fungi under study providing 89.60% control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to screen fungal diversity and ochratoxin A levels on culinary spice and herb samples sold in open-air markets and supermarkets in Nairobi County, Kenya. All herbs were grown in Kenya, while locally-produced and imported spices were purchased from both types of retail outlet. The results showed a high frequency of Aspergillus and Penicillium species contaminating the samples. The isolated species included Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus nomiae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ustus, Aspergillus terrus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus clavutus, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium glabrum, Penicillium thomii, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium polonicum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Total fungal count on spice and herb samples collected from various sources varied between 6 and 7 CFU/mL. Of imported spices, garlic had the highest fungal diversity, while cardamom had the least. For spices from both open market and supermarket outlets, cloves had the highest fungal diversity, while white pepper had the least. For the herbs sampled from the open markets, basil was the most contaminated, while sage was the least. In supermarket samples, parsley, sage, and mint had the highest fungal diversity, and bay had the least. The results indicate the contamination of spices and herbs with OTA at high concentrations. The calibration curve was saturated at 40 µg/kg; with samples of garlic, cinnamon, red chili, basil, thyme, mint, sage, and parsley having levels above this. Of the spices, imported ginger had the highest OTA levels (28.7 µg/kg), while turmeric from the open market had the least, 2.14 µg/kg. For herb samples, parsley from the open market had the highest OTA levels at 29.4 µg/kg, while marjoram from the open market had the lowest at 6.35 µg/kg. The results demonstrate the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi and OTA contamination of marketed culinary herbs and spices beyond acceptable limits. Hence, there is a need for informed and sustainable mitigation strategies aimed at reducing human exposure in Kenya to OTA mycotoxicosis through dietary intake of spices and herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites harmful to humans and animals. Patulin (PAT) is a toxin found in different food products but especially in apples and their derivative products. The most common fungi producers of this compound are Aspergillus clavatus and Penicillium expansum. The production of patulin, as other mycotoxins, can be impacted by diverse phenomena such as water and nutrient availability, UV exposure, and the presence of antagonistic organisms. Consequently, gaining a comprehensive understanding of climate and environmental conditions is a crucial step in combating patulin contamination. In this study, moulds were isolated from 40 apple samples collected from seven locations across Hungary: Csenger, Damak, Pallag, Lövőpetri, Nagykálló, and Újfehértó. A total of 183 moulds were morphologically identified, with 67 isolates belonging to the Alternaria, 45 to the Aspergillus, and 13 to the Penicillium groups. The location possessed a higher influence than farming method on the distribution of mould genera. Despite the requirement of higher temperature, Aspergillus species dominated only for the region of Újfehértó with approximately 50% of the isolates belonging to the genus. Four of the seven locations assessed: Csenger, Debrecen-Pallag, Nyírtass and Nagykálló, were dominated by Alternaria species. All isolates belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium were tested for the presence of the isoepoxidone dehydrogenase (idh) gene, a key player in the patulin metabolic pathway. To guarantee patulin production, this ability was confirmed with TLC assays. The only Aspergillus strain that presented a positive result was the strain Aspergillus clavatus B9/6, originated from the apple cultivar Golden Reinders grown in Debrecen-Pallag by integrated farming. Of the Penicillium isolates only one strain, B10/6, presented a band of the right size (500-600 bp) for the idh gene. Further sequencing of the ITS gene showed that this strain should be classified as Talaromyces pinophilus. The TLC tests confirmed this microorganism as the only patulin producer under the studied conditions for its cluster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Penicillium expansum is a harmful plant fungal pathogen that causes blue mold disease and produces mycotoxin patulin, leading to huge economic losses and food safety hazard. Set1 associated complex Set1/COMPASS deposits the methylation at lysine 4 of histone H3, which is associated with gene expression in diverse biological processes of fungi. However, the function and underlying mechanisms of Set1/COMPASS are poorly defined in P. expansum. The study aimed to identify Set1/COMPASS and investigate its regulation mechanisms on growth, pathogenicity, and patulin biosynthesis of P. expansum. Analyses of phylogenetic relationship, conserved structural domain, and gene deletion were used to identify components of Set1/COMPASS. Phenotype analysis and stress tolerance test of gene deletion mutants were conducted to analyze the function of these components. Yeast two-hybrid, Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and point mutation were performed to verify the protein interaction. Western blot was conducted for detection of H3K4 methylation levels. P. expansum owns six components of Set1/COMPASS besides PeSet1. Absence of each component resulted in reduction of H3K4 methylation levels and impaired growth, pathogenicity, and patulin biosynthesis, as well as altered stress responses of P. expansum. One component PeBre2p was found to interact with the conserved global regulator PeVelB (Ve lvet L ike protein B) at Asp294 of PeBre2p. This interaction affected fungal growth and utilization of fructose, lactose, glycine, and proline in P. expansum. This study revealed the important roles of Set1/COMPASS in P. expansum and clarified for the first time the combined regulation of PeBre2p and PeVelB in fungal growth and nutrition utilization. These results will provide potential targets for the control of blue mold disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mold infestations in buildings pose significant challenges to human health, affecting both private residences and hospitals. While molds commonly trigger asthma and allergies in the immunocompetent, they can cause life-threatening diseases in the immunocompromised. Currently, there is an unmet need for new strategies to reduce or prevent mold infestations. Far-UVC technology can inactivate microorganisms while remaining safe for humans. This study investigates the inhibitory efficacy of far-UVC light at 222 nm on the growth of common mold-producing fungi, specifically Penicillium candidum, when delivered in low-dose on-off duty cycles, a configuration consistent with its use in real-world settings. The inhibitory effect of the low-dose duty cycles was assessed on growth induced by i) an adjacent spore-producing P. candidum donor and ii) P. candidum spores seeded directly onto agar plates. In both setups, the far-UVC light significantly inhibited both vertical and horizontal growth of P. candidum, even when the UV doses were below the Threshold Value Limit of 23 mJ/cm2. These results suggest that far-UVC light holds the potential to improve indoor air quality by reducing or preventing mold growth, also when people are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patulin (PAT) is a food-borne mycotoxin produced by Penicillium and Byssochlamys species. It is widely known for its mutagenic, carcinogenic, and genotoxic effects and has been associated with kidney injury; however, the mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a study to explore the changes in α-adrenergic receptor signalling pathways and epigenetic modifications induced by PAT in the kidneys of C57BL/6 mice during acute (1 day) and prolonged (10 days) exposure. The mice (20–22 g) were orally administered PAT (2.5 mg/kg; at 1 and 10 days), and post-treatment, the kidneys were harvested, homogenised and extracted for RNA, DNA, and protein. The relative gene expression of the α-adrenergic receptors (ADRA1, ADRA2A, ADRA2B) and associated signalling pathways (MAPK, MAPK14, ERK, PI3K, and AKT) was assessed by qPCR. The protein expression of ERK1/2 and MAPK was determined by western blot. The impact of PAT on DNA methylation was evaluated by quantifying global DNA methylation; qPCR was used to determine gene expression levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) and demethylase (MBD2). PAT downregulated the expression of ADRA1, ADRA2A, ADRA2B, PI3K, and AKT and upregulated ERK1/2 and MAPK protein expression. Furthermore, PAT induced alterations in DNA methylation patterns by upregulating DNMT1 and MBD2 expressions and downregulating DNMT3A and DNMT3B expressions, resulting in global DNA hypomethylation. In conclusion, PAT disrupts α-1 and α-2 adrenergic receptor signalling pathways and induces epigenetic modifications, that can lead to kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruits, particularly mandarins, are highly valued globally for their nutritional benefits and versatile culinary uses. However, the challenge of post-harvest decay, primarily due to blue mold (Penicillium italicum) infections, results in significant food losses and necessitates effective preservation strategies. Traditional methods often rely on fungicides, raising concerns about chemical residues and environmental impact. This study investigates the efficacy of ozone as an alternative approach to controlling blue mold in mandarins. Various gaseous ozone treatments were tested, including single, double, and triple treatments, with durations ranging from 10 to 60 min and concentrations from 3.3 to 20 ppm. Additionally, ozonated water treatments were evaluated with concentrations of 2, 4, and 6 ppm. To simulate a realistic infestation scenario, mandarins were artificially infected with P. italicum spores before undergoing both gaseous ozone and ozonated water treatments. The storage conditions for the mandarins were meticulously controlled, maintaining a humidity level of 50–60% and a temperature range of 10–12 °C. Each fruit was analyzed, and the presence of P. italicum infection was determined two and three weeks after the ozonation. Results indicated that ozone treatments significantly reduced mold growth, with gaseous ozone demonstrating efficacy rates up to 97.5% and ozonated water treatments achieving preservation rates between 95% and 97%. These results underscore ozone's potential as a safe, efficient, and sustainable alternative to conventional fungicides, offering promising solutions for extending the shelf life of mandarins. Further research is recommended to optimize ozone treatment parameters, assess long-term effects on fruit quality and nutritional content, and refine application techniques to harness ozone's potential in citrus fruit preservation fully. This approach not only addresses food security challenges but also aligns with global efforts to reduce chemical inputs in agriculture and promote environmentally sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) films were developed by adding 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.5% and 5.0% (w/w) of Mexican oregano essential oil (OEO) or potassium sorbate (PS) as a positive antifungal control to inhibit the growth of Penicillium expansum, Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus niger in vitro. Three methods of adding OEO in LDPE were evaluated; the best OEO yield in film was achieved when OEO was incorporated after laminating (88%); otherwise, when added into cool‐melting resin, OEO lost up to 91.5% from LDPE and completely volatilized (>99%) when combined with the resin before melting. PS yields in LDPE film were > 88% when incorporated into cool‐melted resin. Antimicrobial films with 2.5% or 5.0% (w/w) OEO or PS delayed the growth of P. expansum and P. citrinum for up to 4–5 days, and for A. niger, only films with 5.0% of OEO retarded its growth for 5 days. The modified Gompertz model was used to describe mould growth response, obtaining the parameters A (maximum growth), μm (maximum growth rate) and λ (lag phase), which correctly fit the data. P. citrinum was the most sensitive mould, and A. niger was the most resistant to the tested antimicrobials. The addition of antimicrobial agents significantly (p < 0.05) impacted the physical and mechanical properties of the LDPE films, wherein thickness and puncture strength were increased, and the colour changed (reducing the transparency and promoting the yellowness). In contrast, the water vapour transmission rate was dropped only by incorporating PS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Levulinic acid (LA) is a multifunctional compound that is relevant to the economy of bio‐based chemical products. Citrus sinensis, the Valencia variety, is one of the world's most consumed citrus fruit varieties but suffers significant losses as a result of blue mold infestation. This research evaluated the inhibitory action of unpurified levulinic acid obtained from watermelon residues against the fungus Penicillium italicum, proposing a new use as a fungal inhibitor. RESULTS: LA was evaluated in in vitro tests and inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus. In in vivo experiments with oranges, fungal proliferation in fruits was investigated by applying a crude mixture containing LA (43 mmol L−1) and formic acid (FA, 28 mmol L−1), and comparing the effects with FA alone and negative control (without inhibitory agent). The weight loss and disease incidence results decreased when LA was used as an inhibitory agent, with no negative impacts on fruit quality being observed. Its inhibitory effect was confirmed by determining the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), where there was no increase in activities owing to inhibition of the fungus before its proliferation in the fruits. CONCLUSION: This study provides relevant data on the new use of raw LA as an antifungal agent, an effect still unexplored for this compound in recent literature, offering a practical and innovative solution to combat blue mold. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fungal pathogens significantly impact the quality of fruits and vegetables at different stages of the supply chain, leading to substantial food losses. Understanding how these persistent fungal infections occur and progress in postharvest conditions is essential to developing effective control strategies. Results: In this study, we developed a reliable and consistent inoculation protocol to simulate disease spread from infected fruits to adjacent healthy fruits during postharvest storage. We tested different combinations of relevant fruit commodities, including oranges, tomatoes, and apples, against impactful postharvest pathogens such as Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, Botrytis cinerea, and Penicillium expansum. We assessed the efficacy of this protocol using fruits treated with various postharvest methods and multiple isolates for each pathogen. We optimized the source of infected tissue and incubation conditions for each fruit-pathogen combination. Disease incidence and severity were quantitatively evaluated to study infection success and progression. At the final evaluation point, 80% or higher disease incidence rates were observed in all trials except for the fungicide-treated oranges inoculated with fungicide-susceptible Penicillium spp. isolates. Although disease incidence was lower in that particular scenario, it is noteworthy that the pathogen was still able to establish itself under unfavorable conditions, indicating the robustness of our methodology. Finally, we used multispectral imaging to detect early P. digitatum infections in oranges before the disease became visible to the naked eye but after the pathogen was established. Conclusions: We developed a non-invasive inoculation strategy that can be used to recreate infections caused by contact or nesting in postharvest. The observed high disease incidence and severity values across fruit commodities and fungal pathogens demonstrate the robustness, efficacy, and reproducibility of the developed methodology. The protocol has the potential to be tailored for other pathosystems. Additionally, this approach can facilitate the study of fruit-pathogen interactions and the assessment of innovative control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium spp. occupy many diverse biological niches that include plant pathogens, opportunistic human pathogens, saprophytes, indoor air contaminants, and those selected specifically for industrial applications to produce secondary metabolites and lifesaving antibiotics. Recent phylogenetic studies have established Penicillium fuscoglaucum as a synonym for Penicillium commune, which is an indoor air contaminant and toxin producer and can infect apple fruit during storage. During routine culturing on selective media in the lab, we obtained an isolate of P. fuscoglaucum Pf_T2 and sequenced its genome. The Pf_T2 genome is far superior to available genomic resources for the species. Our assembly exhibits a length of 35.1 Mb, a BUSCO score of 97.9% complete, and consists of five scaffolds/contigs representing the four expected chromosomes. It was determined that the Pf_T2 genome was colinear with a type specimen P. fuscoglaucum and contained a lineage-specific, intact cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) gene cluster. For comparison, a highly virulent postharvest apple pathogen, P. expansum strain TDL 12.1, was included and showed a similar growth pattern in culture to our Pf_T2 isolate but was far more aggressive in apple fruit than P. fuscoglaucum. The genome of Pf_T2 serves as a major improvement over existing resources, has superior annotation, and can inform forthcoming omics-based work and functional genetic studies to probe secondary metabolite production and disparities in aggressiveness during apple fruit decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium italicum, a major postharvest pathogen, causes blue mold rot in citrus fruits through the deployment of various virulence factors. Recent studies highlight the role of the epigenetic reader, SntB, in modulating the pathogenicity of phytopathogenic fungi. Our research revealed that the deletion of the SntB gene in P. italicum led to significant phenotypic alterations, including delayed mycelial growth, reduced spore production, and decreased utilization of sucrose. Additionally, the mutant strain exhibited increased sensitivity to pH fluctuations and elevated iron and calcium ion stress, culminating in reduced virulence on Gannan Novel oranges. Ultrastructural analyses disclosed notable disruptions in cell membrane integrity, disorganization within the cellular matrix, and signs of autophagy. Transcriptomic data further indicated a pronounced upregulation of hydrolytic enzymes, oxidoreductases, and transport proteins, suggesting a heightened energy demand. The observed phenomena were consistent with a carbon starvation response potentially triggering apoptotic pathways, including iron-dependent cell death. These findings collectively underscored the pivotal role of SntB in maintaining the pathogenic traits of P. italicum, proposing that targeting PiSntB could offer a new avenue for controlling citrus fungal infections and subsequent fruit decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using plant peel extracts as natural preservatives provides two advantages due to their ability to combat pathogens in food with antimicrobial properties and minimize agro-industrial wastes. So the main objective of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of the antifungal properties of ethanolic extracts of orange and pomegranate peels (OPE and PPE) against mycotoxigenic fungi-associated guava fruits. The occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi was assessed. The polyphenolic compounds of the ethanolic OPE and PPE were elucidated. Each of their antioxidant and antifungal activities against isolated mycotoxigenic fungi was evaluated. The obtained data indicated that Botrydiplodia theobromae was the most abundant fungi. Test of mycotoxins production confirmed that Alternaria alternata (isolate No. 2) was found to produce 0.230 μg/ml of Alternariol toxin, while Penicillium expansum isolate No. (1) produced 4.260 of Patulin toxin. A. parasiticus isolates (No. 3& 7) produced Aflatoxins with a concentration of 0.012 and 0.020 μg/ml respectively. On the other hand, PPE contained the highest phenolic and flavonoid compounds contents and exhibited the highest antioxidant and antifungal activities. It could be concluded that the ethanolic PPE and OPE had significant antifungal effects against mycotoxigenic fungi attacking guava fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria, fungi, and mammals contain lactonases that can degrade the Gram-negative bacterial quorum sensing (QS) molecules N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). AHLs are critical for bacteria to coordinate gene expression and pathogenicity with population density. However, AHL-degrading lactonases present variable substrate ranges, including degradation of the Pencillium expansum lactone mycotoxin patulin. We selected Erwinia spp. as our model bacteria to further investigate this interaction. We find both native apple microbiome Erwinia spp. and the fruit tree pathogen Erwinia amylovora to be inhibited by patulin. At patulin concentrations that inhibited E. amylovora growth, expression of E. amylovora lactonase encoded by EaaiiA was increased. EaAiiA demonstrated the ability to degrade patulin in vitro, as well, as in vivo where it reduced apple disease and patulin production by P. expansum. Fungal-bacterial co-cultures revealed that the E. amylovora Δeaaiia strain failed to protect apples from P. expansum infections, which contained significant amounts of patulin. Our results suggest that bacterial lactonase production can modulate the pathogenicity of P. expansum in response to the secretion of toxic patulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Byssochlamys sp. on apples and pears. Most studies have been focused on Penicillium expansum , a common postharvest pathogen, but little is known about the characteristics of Penicillium paneum. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of temperature, pH, and relative humidity (RH) on the growth of P. paneum OM1, which was isolated from pears, and its patulin production. The fungal strain showed the highest growth rate at 25 °C and pH 4.5 on pear puree agar medium (PPAM) under 97 % RH, while it produced the highest amount of patulin at 20 °C and pH 4.5 on PPAM under 97 % RH. Moreover, RT-qPCR analysis of relative expression levels of 5 patulin biosynthetic genes (patA , patE , patK , patL, and patN) in P. paneum OM1 exhibited that the expression of the 4 patulin biosynthetic genes except patL was up-regulated in YES medium (patulin conducive), while it was not in PDB medium (patulin non-conducive). Our data demonstrated that the 3 major environmental parameters had significant impact on the growth of P. paneum OM1 and its patulin production. These results could be exploited to prevent patulin contamination by P. paneum OM1 during pear storage • The highest growth of P. paneum OM1 at 25 °C and pH 4.5 under 97 % relative humidity. • The highest patulin production by the fungus at 20 °C and pH 4.5 under 97 % relative humidity. • The expression of patA , patE , patK , and patN was up-regulated in YES medium. • The expression of patA , patE , patK , and patN was not up-regulated in PDB medium. • The expression of patL remained constantly in both YES and PDB media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango fruits' quality, marketability, and shelf life are significantly influenced by postharvest decay. Mango fruit disease development during storage is inhibited by fungicides. The objective of this investigation was to assess the relative effectiveness of two fungicides, azoxystrobin 18.2% + difenoconazole 11.4% SC and hexaconazole 5% SC, in mitigating postharvest deterioration of mango cv. 'Langra' during low temperature storage. Three pathogens were found associated with postharvest decay of mango, i.e. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Alternaria alternata , and Penicillium expansum. In comparison to untreated ones, the preharvest application of fungicide treatments provided noticeably better disease control. The foliar application of azoxystrobin 18.2% + difenoconazole 11.4% SC (0.1%) 15 days before the harvesting of fruits significantly improved fruit firmness, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, reduced the disease incidence, percentage disease index, and lesion diameter followed by the application of hexaconazole 5% SC (0.1%) compared to the control. Furthermore, it was found that pre-harvest fungicide spraying of azoxystrobin 18.2% + difenoconazole 11.4% SC (0.1%) was an effective treatment for lowering postharvest deterioration and enhancing the physio-chemical characteristics of mango fruits during low-temperature storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phosphorus plays a key role in plant adaptation to adversity and plays a positive role in the yield and quality formation of apples. Genes of the SPX domain-containing family are widely involved in the regulation of phosphorus signalling networks. However, the mechanisms controlling phosphorus deficiency are not completely understood in self-rooted apple stock. Results: In this study, 26 members of the apple SPX gene family were identified by genome-wide analysis, and further divided into four subfamilies (SPX, SPX-MFS, SPX-EXS, and SPX-RING) based on their structural features. The chromosome distribution and gene duplications of MdSPXs were also examined. The promoter regions of MdSPXs were enriched for multiple biotic/abiotic stresses, hormone responses and typical P1BS-related elements. Analysis of the expression levels of 26 MdSPXs showed that some members were remarkably induced when subjected to low phosphate (Pi) stress, and in particular MdSPX2, MdSPX3, and MdPHO1.5 exhibited an intense response to low Pi stress. MdSPX2 and MdSPX3 showed significantly divergent expression levels in low Pi sensitive and insensitive apple species. Protein interaction networks were predicted for 26 MdSPX proteins. The interaction of MdPHR1 with MdSPX2, MdSPX3, MdSPX4, and MdSPX6 was demonstrated by yeast two-hybrid assay, suggesting that these proteins might be involved in the Pi-signaling pathway by interacting with MdPHR1. Conclusion: This research improved the understanding of the apple SPX gene family and contribute to future biological studies of MdSPX genes in self-rooted apple stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green mold, caused by Penicillium digitatum, is the major cause of citrus postharvest decay. Currently, the application of sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide is one of the main control measures to prevent green mold. However, the fungicide-resistance problem in the pathogen P. digitatum is growing. The regulatory mechanism of DMI fungicide resistance in P. digitatum is poorly understood. Here, we first performed transcriptomic analysis of the P. digitatum strain Pdw03 treated with imazalil (IMZ) for 2 and 12 h. A total of 1338 genes were up-regulated and 1635 were down-regulated under IMZ treatment for 2 h compared to control while 1700 were up-regulated and 1661 down-regulated under IMZ treatment for 12 h. The expression of about half of the genes in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway was affected during IMZ stress. Further analysis identified that 84 of 320 transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed at both conditions, making them potential regulators in DMI resistance. To confirm their roles, three differentially expressed TFs were selected to generate disruption mutants using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The results showed that two of them had no response to IMZ stress while ∆PdflbC was more sensitive compared with the wild type. However, disruption of PdflbC did not affect the ergosterol content. The defect in IMZ sensitivity of ∆PdflbC was restored by genetic complementation of the mutant with a functional copy of PdflbC. Taken together, our results offer a rich source of information to identify novel regulators in DMI resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple rot disease, caused by Alternaria alternata, is causing significant losses in apple production, especially in post‐harvest periods. Alternaria alternata, was isolated from rotten apple fruit of cv Amasya. Identification of the strain isolated from rotten apple fruit was made by ITS sequence and morphological analysis. In the present study, 58 different endophytic bacteria strains were isolated from apple fruit for use in apple rot disease control. Among the isolated strains, 26 endophyte strains were determined to inhibit the radial growth of mycelia of A. alternata in binary culture in PDA media. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, these antagonistic endophytic bacteria strains were identified as Bacillus ssp. Bacillus methylotrophicus (ib17) showed the highest significant inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of A. alternata at a rate of 79.5% in PDA medium. The results of in vivo experiments showed that Bacillus licheniformis (ib20) achieved 100% biocontrol when endophyte bacterial strains were inoculated 24 h before the inoculation of A. alternata. When the three bacteria species and A. alternata were inoculated simultaneously, Bacillus myloliquefaciens (ib1), Bacillus licheniformis (ib21) and the Endophytic bacterium (ib16) showed the highest biocontrol efficacy against A. alternata at 81.8%. Furthermore, when the bacterial strains were inoculated at 24 h after inoculation of A. alternata, B. licheniformis (ib21) showed the highest biocontrol efficacy of 83.3% against the fungal pathogen compared to the controls. The endophytic bacterial strains produced fungal cell wall hydrolysing enzymes such as chitinase, cellulase, amylase and protease. According to the results of this study, apple endophytic bacteria are potential candidates to control apple decay caused by A. alternata through cell wall hydrolysing enzymes and reduce disease severity. However, the efficacy of the biological control was dependent on the applied time of epiphytic bacterial strains. Further research is needed on the biochemical mechanisms underlying the activity of these bacteria against A. alternata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium expansum is a fungal pathogen of pome fruit, causing the economically important disease of apple blue mould. The fungus is also important due to its ability to produce the mycotoxin patulin. A strain of Aureobasidium spp. (UC14) was assessed for controlling P. expansum and patulin production in a series of in vitro antibiosis experiments. Volatile and non‐volatile metabolites reduced growth of P. expansum on average by 50%. To assess UC14 efficacy on apples in vivo, different concentrations of cellular suspension were assayed. The concentration 1 × 108 cells/mL was the most effective, completely suppressing apple fruits blue mould symptoms. The antagonism of UC14 was further demonstrated by the very low amount of pathogen DNA in treated fruits detected by qPCR. During cold storage, Aureobasidium strain UC14 persisted on fruits and reduced disease severity by 82.5% and 89.8%, for 'Golden delicious' and 'Fuji' apples, respectively. Aureobasidium strain UC14 reduced patulin on 'Golden delicious' and 'Fuji' apples by 98.1% and 96.2% with respect to the control, demonstrating good efficacy as a potential biological control agent (BCA), so becoming an interesting candidate for use as BCA in the postharvest phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi biosynthesize diverse secondary metabolites, small organic bioactive molecules with key roles in fungal ecology. Fungal secondary metabolites are often encoded by physically clustered genes known as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Fungi in the genus Penicillium produce a cadre of secondary metabolites, some of which are useful (e.g. the antibiotic penicillin and the cholesterol-lowering drug mevastatin) and others harmful (e.g. the mycotoxin patulin and the immunosuppressant gliotoxin) to human affairs. Fungal genomes often also encode resistance genes that confer protection against toxic secondary metabolites. Some Penicillium species, such as Penicillium decumbens , are known to produce gliotoxin, a secondary metabolite with known immunosuppressant activity. To investigate the evolutionary conservation of homologs of the gliotoxin BGC and of genes involved in gliotoxin resistance in Penicillium , we analyzed 35 Penicillium genomes from 23 species. Homologous, lesser fragmented gliotoxin BGCs were found in 12 genomes, mostly fragmented remnants of the gliotoxin BGC were found in 21 genomes, whereas the remaining 2 Penicillium genomes lacked the gliotoxin BGC altogether. In contrast, broad conservation of homologs of resistance genes that reside outside the BGC across Penicillium genomes was observed. Evolutionary rate analysis revealed that BGCs with higher numbers of genes evolve slower than BGCs with few genes, suggestive of constraint and potential functional significance or more recent decay. Gene tree–species tree reconciliation analyses suggested that the history of homologs in the gliotoxin BGC across the genus Penicillium likely involved multiple duplications, losses, and horizontal gene transfers. Our analyses suggest that genes encoded in BGCs can have complex evolutionary histories and be retained in genomes long after the loss of secondary metabolite biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum are responsible for citrus green and blue moulds (GM and BM), respectively, which are major citrus postharvest diseases. The aim of this study was to develop an optimal dipping mixture of an aqueous solution of different food additives: sodium bicarbonate (SB), sodium benzoate (SBen), and potassium sorbate (PS), in combination with heat, to control GM and BM using response surface methodology. The ranges of SB (0.0%, 3.0%, 6.0%), SBen (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%), PS (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%) and temperature (20 °C, 35 °C, 50 °C) with a dipping time of 60s were tested for their impact on GM and BM on artificially inoculated oranges. Within these tested ranges, SB reduced GM severity and incidences of both GM and BM. PS affected BM severity and incidence, but not GM. SBen and temperature did not have impact on GM and BM. The most suitable food additive concentrations were identified to be 4.7% SB, 1.0% SBen and 0.7% PS, with a dipping solution temperature of 50 °C. This treatment was shown to reduce GM and BM incidence from 85 and 86% on control fruit dipped in tap water at 20 °C to 3 and 10%, respectively. Additionally, the severity of GM and BM was reduced from 64 and 26 mm on control fruit to <1 and 2.8 mm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demethylation inhibitors (DMIs), including prochloraz, are popular fungicides to control citrus postharvest pathogens such as Penicillium digitatum (green mold). However, many P. digitatum strains have developed prochloraz resistance, which decreases drug efficacy. Specific major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter gene mfs2, encoding drug-efflux pump protein MFS2, has been identified in P. digitatum strain F6 (PdF6) to confer fungal strain prochloraz resistance. However, except for the drug-efflux pump function of MFS2, other mechanisms relating to the Pdmfs2 are not fully clear. The present study reported a transcriptome investigation on the mfs2-defective P. digitatum strain. Comparing to the wild-type strain, the mfs2-defective strain showed 717 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) without prochloraz induction, and 1221 DEGs with prochloraz induction. The obtained DEGs included multiple isoforms of MFS transporter-encoding genes, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-encoding genes, and multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family protein-encoding genes. Many of these putative drug-efflux pump protein-encoding genes had significantly lower transcript abundances in the mfs2-defective P. digitatum strain at prochloraz induction, as compared to the wild-type strain, including twenty-two MFS transporter-encoding genes (MFS1 to MFS22), two ABC transporter-encoding genes (ABC1 and ABC2), and three MATE protein-encoding genes (MATE1 to MATE3). The prochloraz induction on special drug-efflux pump protein genes in the wild-type strain was not observed in the mfs2-defective strain, including MFS21, MFS22, ABC2, MATE1, MATE2, and MATE3. On the other hand, the up-regulation of other drug-efflux pump protein genes in the mfs2-defective strain cannot recover the fungal prochloraz resistance, including MFS23, MFS26, MFS27, MFS31, MFS33, and ABC3 to ABC8. The functional enrichment of DEGs based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), and euKaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG) database resources suggested some essential contributors to the mfs2-relating prochloraz resistance, including ribosome biosynthesis-related genes, oxidative phosphorylation genes, steroid biosynthesis-related genes, fatty acid and lipid metabolism-related genes, and carbon- and nitrogen-metabolism-related genes. The results indicated that the MFS2 transporter might be involved in the regulation of multiple drug-efflux pump protein gene expressions and multiple metabolism-related gene expressions, thus playing an important role in developing P. digitatum prochloraz resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postharvest rot, caused by Penicillium expansum, in tomatoes poses significant economic and health risks. Traditional control methods, such as the use of fungicides, raise concerns about pathogen resistance, food safety, and environmental impact. In search of sustainable alternatives, plant secondary metabolites, particularly phenolic compounds and their derivatives, have emerged as promising natural antimicrobials. Among these, feruloyl glyceride (FG), a water-soluble derivative of ferulic acid, stands out due to its antioxidant properties, antibacterial properties, and improved solubility. In this study, we provide evidence demonstrating FG is capable of inhibiting the spore germination of P. expansum and effectively reducing the incidence rate of Penicillium rot of tomatoes, without compromising quality. Electron microscopy observations combined with metabolite and transcriptomic analyses revealed that FG treatments resulted in enhanced suberin accumulation through promoting the expression of suberin synthesis related genes and, consequently, inhibited the growth and expansion of P. expansum on the fruits. This work sheds light on the mechanisms underlying FG's inhibitory effects, allowing its potential application as a natural and safe alternative to replace chemical fungicides for postharvest preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium digitatum is the causal agent of green mold, a primary postharvest disease of citrus fruits. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel photoactive chitosan–riboflavin bioconjugate (CH-RF) to control green mold in vitro and in lemon fruit. The results showed total inhibition of P. digitatum growth on APDA supplemented with CH-RF at 0.5% (w/v) and a significant reduction of 84.8% at 0.25% (w/v). Lemons treated with CH-RF and kept under controlled conditions (20 °C and 90–95% relative humidity) exhibited a noteworthy reduction in green mold incidence four days post-inoculation. Notably, these effects persisted, with all treatments remaining significantly distinct from the control group until day 14. Furthermore, CH-RF showed high control of green mold in lemons after 20 days of cold storage (5 ± 1 °C). The disease incidence five days after cold storage indicated significant differences from the values observed in the control. Most CH-RF treatments showed enhanced control of green mold when riboflavin was activated by white-light exposure. These findings suggest that this novel fungicide could be a viable alternative to conventional synthetic fungicides, allowing more sustainable management of lemon fruit diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Isolation and Control of Fruit and Vegetable Rot Fungi" discusses the susceptibility of fresh fruits and vegetables to pathogens, leading to postharvest decay and economic losses. The article highlights the importance of isolating and studying these pathogens to develop targeted preservation measures. It also explores the role of key genes in the pathogenic processes of fungi, as well as the potential for enhancing host resistance and undermining essential genes to control fruit diseases. The article suggests that biocontrol agents, plant essential oils, and metal ion compounds are emerging as safe and effective alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides. The research findings provide insights into pathogen-host interactions and offer a scientific basis for developing environmentally friendly disease management approaches. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the effectiveness of antagonistic bacteria in controlling kiwifruit brown spot disease caused by the pathogen Corynespora cassiicola. The study identifies 18 bacteria strains belonging to the Bacillus genus that inhibit the growth of the pathogenic fungus. One strain, Bacillus sp. KT-10, shows the highest bacteriostatic rate and effectively controls kiwifruit brown spots in pot and field experiments. The research suggests that Bacillus sp. KT-10 could be a potential biological control method for managing kiwifruit diseases. The article also highlights the advantages of biological control methods over chemical pesticides and emphasizes the potential of beneficial microorganisms in controlling plant diseases. [Extracted from the article]

Biocontrol strategies offer a promising alternative to control plant pathogens achieving food safety and security. In this study we apply a RNAseq analysis during interaction between the biocontrol agent (BCA) Papiliotrema terrestris, the pathogen Penicillium expansum, and the host Malus domestica. Analysis of the BCA finds overall 802 upregulated DEGs (differentially expressed genes) when grown in apple tissue, with the majority being involved in nutrients uptake and oxidative stress response. This suggests that these processes are crucial for the BCA to colonize the fruit wounds and outcompete the pathogen. As to P. expansum analysis, 1017 DEGs are upregulated when grown in apple tissue, with the most represented GO categories being transcription, oxidation reduction process, and transmembrane transport. Analysis of the host M. domestica finds a higher number of DEGs in response to the pathogen compared to the BCA, with overexpression of genes involved in host defense signaling pathways in the presence of both of them, and a prevalence of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) only during interaction with P. expansum. This analysis contributes to advance the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that underlie biocontrol activity and the tritrophic interaction of the BCA with the pathogen and the host. In vivo triple RNA-seq analysis reveals that a biocontrol yeast consumes host nutrients to outcompete a fungal pathogen on apple, while pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity are triggered in the host in response to the fungal pathogen only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penicillium expansum is the predominant causal agent causing blue mold in postharvest fresh Codonopsis pilosula during storage. The pathogen reduces the yield and affects the quality of C. pilosula and even generates patulin, threatening human health. In this study, postharvest fresh, healthy C. pilosula was sprayed with P. expansum, and the control effect of ozone on postharvest diseases of C. pilosula was studied, and the effect of ozone on the contents in the main active ingredients of C. pilosula was compared; finally, the effect of ozone on reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in C. pilosula was analyzed. The results showed that 2 mg L−1 ozone application significantly inhibited the occurrence of postharvest blue mold caused by P. expansum, reduced weight loss rate, controlled the accumulation of patulin and maintained the contents of the main active components in C. pilosula. The study will provide a theoretical basis for ozone treatment to control the occurrence of postharvest diseases of C. pilosula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem solved is to determine safer and more effective technologies for post-harvest processing of fruits. To achieve the goal, lemon fruits (of different degrees of wilting) were cut crosswise, each piece was treated with miramistin and deсasan in concentrations of 0.1 %, 0.3 %, and 0.5 %. The samples were placed on agar blocks with pure cultures of pathogens and placed in wet Petri dishes, kept at a temperature of 25 °C in a thermostat for 6–10 days; the experiment was repeated three times. The research aimed to establish the concentration of antimicrobial drugs for treating lemons; determine the weight loss of lemon fruits depending on the storage temperature. The object of the study is the process of preserving the quality of lemon fruits during post-harvest treatment with antiseptics during cold storage. It is proposed to treat lemon fruits with miramistin and deсasan in concentrations of 0.3 % and 0.5 % in order to inhibit the development of blue and green mold during storage. Damage to turgor fruits is two times less than that of weakly wilted ones. At a storage temperature of 10 °C, fruits are stored for 40–45 days. At the same time, daily losses are 0.49 %. Lowering the storage temperature to 4 °C extends the storage period to 90–100 days, with a daily mass loss of 0.08 %. A curvilinear correlation dependence of the second order of weight loss of lemon fruits on the duration of storage was established (R2=0.9758–0.9903). Treatment with antiseptics makes it possible to implement environmentally friendly solutions that will make it possible to exclude chemically synthesized fungicides and preserve the natural properties of fresh citrus fruits after harvesting, as well as extend their shelf life. In the development of new, lowcost, environmentally friendly, and affordable technologies, this is an important technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple production holds a prominent position in Morocco's Rosaceae family. However, annual production can fluctuate due to substantial losses caused by fungal diseases affecting stored apples. Our findings emphasize that the pre-storage treatment of apples, disinfection of storage facilities, box type, and fruit sorting are pivotal factors affecting apple losses during storage. Additionally, the adopted preservation technique was significantly correlated with the percentage of damage caused by fungal infections. Blue mold accounts for nearly three-quarters of the diseases detected, followed by gray rot with a relatively significant incidence. This study has revealed several fungal diseases affecting stored apples caused by pathogens such as Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Trichothecium roseum, Fusarium avenaceum, Cadophora malorum, and Neofabraea vagabunda. Notably, these last two fungal species have been reported for the first time in Morocco as pathogens of stored apples. These data affirm that the high losses of apples in Morocco, attributed primarily to P. expansum and B. cinerea, pose a significant threat in terms of reduced production and diminished fruit quality. Hence, adopting controlled atmosphere storage chambers and implementing good practices before apple storage is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The questionable safety of food spoiled by microorganisms is and should be the subject of attention and investigation. Pathogens such as Penicillium expansum are more difficult to control due to their resistance and ubiquity. Awareness of plant essential oils (EOs) as alternative natural preservatives is increasing because of their significant antimicrobial activity. The aim of this research work was therefore to contribute to this topic with new results. The antifungal activity of twelve EOs was tested in vitro against five strains of Penicillium expansum, using the vapour-phase diffusion method. Three EOs, from bergamot, star anise and rosaline, inhibited colony growth during two-week cultivation with a partial efficacy, all other EOs showed complete (100%) inhibitory activity at a concentration of 625 μL.L-1. These (EOs from clove, cinnamon, cinnamon bark, laurel, lemongrass, peppermint, Mitcham mint, spearmint, and lavender) were included in the second part of the trial, the aim of which was to determine their minimum inhibitory doses (MIDs). In the case of peppermint, Mitcham mint, spearmint and lavender EOs, some strains of P. expansum grew already at a concentration of 500 μL.L-1. Clove EO stopped the fungal growth of two strains at 250 μL.L-1. Laurel EO was 100% effective at MID 250 μL.L-1 throughout the cultivation period. EOs from lemongrass and cinnamon bark had similar efficacy on the strains. Both EOs were able to inhibit one strain at a MID of 125 μL.L-1, cinnamon bark EO inhibited the remaining strains at 250 μL.L-1, lemongrass EO inhibited three strains at 250 μL.L-1 and one at 500 μL.L-1. The lowest MID was recorded for cinnamon EO, which effectively inhibited two strains at 125 μL.L-1, two strains at 62.5 μL.L-1 and one strain even at 31.25 μL.L-1. The sensitivity of the strains used in this study varied according to the EOs used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patulin is a secondary metabolite primarily synthesized by the fungus Penicillium expansum, which is responsible for blue mold disease on apples. The latter are highly susceptible to fungal infection in the postharvest stages. Apples destined to produce compotes are processed throughout the year, which implies that long periods of storage are required under controlled atmospheres. P. expansum is capable of infecting apples throughout the whole process, and patulin can be detected in the end-product. In the present study, 455 apples (organically and conventionally grown), destined to produce compotes, of the variety "Golden Delicious" were sampled at multiple postharvest steps. The apple samples were analyzed for their patulin content and P. expansum was quantified using real-time PCR. The patulin results showed no significant differences between the two cultivation techniques; however, two critical control points were identified: the long-term storage and the deck storage of apples at ambient temperature before transport. Additionally, alterations in the epiphytic microbiota of both fungi and bacteria throughout various steps were investigated through the application of a metabarcoding approach. The alpha and beta diversity analysis highlighted the effect of long-term storage, causing an increase in the bacterial and fungal diversity on apples, and showed significant differences in the microbial communities during the different postharvest steps. The different network analyses demonstrated intra-species relationships. Multiple pairs of fungal and bacterial competitive relationships were observed. Positive interactions were also observed between P. expansum and multiple fungal and bacterial species. These network analyses provide a basis for further fungal and bacterial interaction analyses for fruit disease biocontrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple trees face various challenges during cultivation. Apple leaves, as the key part of the apple tree for photosynthesis, occupy most of the area of the tree. Diseases of the leaves can hinder the healthy growth of trees and cause huge economic losses to fruit growers. The prerequisite for precise control of apple leaf diseases is the timely and accurate detection of different diseases on apple leaves. Traditional methods relying on manual detection have problems such as limited accuracy and slow speed. In this study, both the attention mechanism and the module containing the transformer encoder were innovatively introduced into YOLOV5, resulting in YOLOV5-CBAM-C3TR for apple leaf disease detection. The datasets used in this experiment were uniformly RGB images. To better evaluate the effectiveness of YOLOV5-CBAM-C3TR, the model was compared with different target detection models such as SSD, YOLOV3, YOLOV4, and YOLOV5. The results showed that YOLOV5-CBAM-C3TR achieved mAP@0.5, precision, and recall of 73.4%, 70.9%, and 69.5% for three apple leaf diseases including Alternaria blotch, Grey spot, and Rust. Compared with the original model YOLOV5, the mAP 0.5increased by 8.25% with a small change in the number of parameters. In addition, YOLOV5-CBAM-C3TR can achieve an average accuracy of 92.4% in detecting 208 randomly selected apple leaf disease samples. Notably, YOLOV5-CBAM-C3TR achieved 93.1% and 89.6% accuracy in detecting two very similar diseases including Alternaria Blotch and Grey Spot, respectively. The YOLOV5-CBAM-C3TR model proposed in this paper has been applied to the detection of apple leaf diseases for the first time, and also showed strong recognition ability in identifying similar diseases, which is expected to promote the further development of disease detection technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on green mold (Penicillium expansum Lk. et Thom.) infection on pomegranate bushes in the western part of Azerbaijan. The activities which was carried out in the period 2021-2023 and were focused on the phytosanitary condition of pomegranate orchards with large industrial importance located in the Ganja-Kazakh geographical zone (western part of the country) showed that fungal diseases were widespread in the region, including green mold (Penicillium expansum Lk. et Thom.) infection. In some years, the green fruit mold (Penicillium expansum Lk. et Thom.) has reduced the productivity of pomegranate bushes by 50-100%. The local cultivars of pomegranate were the object of the study and the results showed that all varieties were highly susceptible to the pathogen. The article presents also results of laboratory experiments about effectiveness of some fungicides - 0.4% Selphate (37.5% copper oxychloride + 16% zineb), 0.05% Azoxifene (20% azoxystrobin + 12.5% difenoconazole), 0.05% Conazole (25% difenoconazole) and 0.3% P-oxide (50% copper oxychloride) against green mold infection. The assessment of biological effectiveness was based on reduction of growth of green mold (Penicillium expansum Lk. et Thom.) on the treated variants relative to the control. Among the tested fungicides, the product Selphate showed the highest biological effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]