Effect of preharvest fungicides and interacting fungi on Aspergillus carbonarius growth and ochratoxin A synthesis in dehydrating grapes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of preharvest grape pesticides in Aspergillus section Nigri infection in dehydrating grapes and the final ochratoxin A (OTA) content. Additionally, the effect of coinoculation of moulds frequently isolated from grapes and raisins on Aspergillus section Nigri infection was studied.


RESULTS
Fungicide-treated grapes were inoculated with Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger aggregate, Eurotium amstelodami and Penicillium janthinellum in different combinations, then dehydrated by reducing a(w) for 20 days. The percentages of colonized grapes treated with fungicides were, in general, lower, but no differences were observed among fungicides. The untreated grapes always showed higher concentrations of OTA, regardless of the inoculum applied. In general, Chorus was the most effective antifungal treatment in reducing OTA accumulation in grapes during dehydration. Penicillium janthinellum reduced Aspergillus section Nigri colonization and OTA accumulation in grapes during dehydration.


CONCLUSIONS
The four preharvest fungicides studied reduced the Aspergillus section Nigri growth and OTA production by A. carbonarius during dehydration of grapes.


CONCLUSIONS
The success of these chemical treatments might depend on the mycobiota composition of grapes.
Valero
A
A
Food Technology Department, University of Lleida, UTPV-CeRTA, Lleida, Spain.
Marín
S
S
Ramos
A J
AJ
Sanchis
V
V
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000254:growth & development; D004149:Dioxoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D032641:Eurotiales / Q000254:growth & development*; D019649:Food Industry / Q000379:methods; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000254:growth & development*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D027843:Vitis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004149:Dioxoles; D009183:Mycotoxins; D009793:Ochratoxins; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D014867:Water; C025589:ochratoxin A; C108338:cyprodinil; C108339:fludioxonil