title: Efficacy of killer yeasts in the biological control of Penicillium digitatum on Tarocco orange fruits (Citrus sinensis).
abstract: Killer Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Wickerhamomyces anomalus yeast strains were tested as biocontrol agents against Penicillium digitatum, one the most important causes of postharvest decay in orange fruits. W. anomalus, grown on acidified medium, demonstrated micocinogenic activity against P. digitatum, as indicated by large inhibition halos and hyphal damage resulting from β-glucanase activity. Oranges that had been deliberately inoculated with pathogens were protected from decay by W. anomalus. Inoculation of oranges with W. anomalus strains BS 91 and BS 92 reduced disease severity to 1 and 4%, respectively, for up to 10 days in storage.
authors.affiliation: GeSA, Area Difesa, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Platania
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Restuccia
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muccilli
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cirvilleri
mesh_terms: D061046:Biological Control Agents; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000382:microbiology*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000302:isolation & purification; D044644:Endo-1,3(4)-beta-Glucanase / Q000378:metabolism; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005516:Food Microbiology / Q000379:methods*; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010407:Penicillium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D015003:Yeasts / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D061046:Biological Control Agents; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D044644:Endo-1,3(4)-beta-Glucanase