Phytopathogenic filamentous fungi are responsible for spoilage of various food products, such as fruits or vegetables, causing significant economic losses. They are also able to produce several mycotoxins in infected plants and fruits, representing a serious risk for human and livestock health. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are considered natural antago-nists of these dangerous microorganisms, thanks to the production of a large number of compounds with antifungal properties. In the present study, 45 LAB strains isolated from raw goats’, cows’ and camels’ milk from various regions of Algeria, were tested for antifungal activity against five strains of the phytopathogenic, toxigenic and deteriorating fungal species Alternaria alternata, isolated from the stems, leaves, roots and fruits of tomatoes and carrots. Internal transcribed spacer polymerase chain reaction (ITS-PCR) analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing were used to characterize and identify the LAB isolates that showed various levels of inhibition of fungal growth. Two LAB strains, identified as Enterococcus lactis and E. faecium, had the strongest antifungal activity, suggesting a potential application in food technology as bio-preservatives against phytopathogenic and food-spoilage fungi.
Antifungal activity of lactic acid bacteria against phytopathogenic alternaria alternata species and their molecular characterization
Marchetta A.;Urzi C.;De Leo F.
2021-01-01
Abstract
Phytopathogenic filamentous fungi are responsible for spoilage of various food products, such as fruits or vegetables, causing significant economic losses. They are also able to produce several mycotoxins in infected plants and fruits, representing a serious risk for human and livestock health. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are considered natural antago-nists of these dangerous microorganisms, thanks to the production of a large number of compounds with antifungal properties. In the present study, 45 LAB strains isolated from raw goats’, cows’ and camels’ milk from various regions of Algeria, were tested for antifungal activity against five strains of the phytopathogenic, toxigenic and deteriorating fungal species Alternaria alternata, isolated from the stems, leaves, roots and fruits of tomatoes and carrots. Internal transcribed spacer polymerase chain reaction (ITS-PCR) analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing were used to characterize and identify the LAB isolates that showed various levels of inhibition of fungal growth. Two LAB strains, identified as Enterococcus lactis and E. faecium, had the strongest antifungal activity, suggesting a potential application in food technology as bio-preservatives against phytopathogenic and food-spoilage fungi.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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