Exploring yeast-based microbial interactions: The next frontier in postharvest biocontrol.


Agirman B., Carsanba E., Settanni L., Erten H.

Yeast (Chichester, England), vol.40, no.10, pp.457-475, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 40 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/yea.3895
  • Journal Name: Yeast (Chichester, England)
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.457-475
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Fresh fruits and vegetables are susceptible to a large variety of spoilage agents before and after harvest. Among these, fungi are mostly responsible for the microbiological deteriorations that lead to economically significant losses of fresh produce. Today, synthetic fungicides represent the first approach for controlling postharvest spoilage in fruits and vegetables worldwide. However, the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogen biotypes and the increasing awareness of consumers toward the health implications of hazardous chemicals imposed an urgent need to reduce the use of synthetic fungicides in the food supply; this phenomenon strengthened the search for alternative biocontrol strategies that are more effective, safer, nontoxic, low-residue, environment friendly, and cost-effective. In the last decade, biocontrol with antagonistic yeasts became a promising strategy to reduce chemical compounds during fruit and vegetable postharvest, and several yeast-based biocontrol products have been commercialized. Biocontrol is a multipartite system that includes different microbial groups (spoilage mold, yeast, bacteria, and nonspoilage resident microorganisms), host fruit, vegetables, or plants, and the environment. The majority of biocontrol studies focused on yeast-mold mechanisms, with little consideration for yeast-bacteria and yeast-yeast interactions. The current review focused mainly on the unexplored yeast-based interactions and the mechanisms of actions in biocontrol systems as well as on the importance and advantages of using yeasts as biocontrol agents, improving antagonist efficiency, the commercialization process and associated challenges, and future perspectives.

The significance of yeasts as a biofungicide alternative to synthetic fungicides in postharvest applications is highlighted in this paper. Particular attention was given to the interactions between an antagonistic yeast and other spoilage yeasts, spoilage bacteria, resident microorganisms (nonspoilage), hosts (fruits and vegetables), and the surrounding environment. In addition, approaches for enhancing the efficacy of an antagonist, as well as details about the commercialization process and limitations, were presented.image

Synthetic fungicides are the most used postharvest disease management approach.The literature has demonstrated yeasts' commercial biocontrol potential.Various mechanisms between yeast antagonists and mold have been discovered.Understanding antagonist yeast-spoilage yeast/bacteria interactions is crucial.Due to commercialization issues, antifungal cultures are rarely marketed.