Effects of esterified lactoferrin and lactoferrin on control of postharvest blue mold of apple fruit and their possible mechanisms of action.
The effects of esterified lactoferrin (ELF) and lactoferrin (LF) on blue mold caused by  Penicillium expansum  in apple fruit stored at 25 °C were investigated. Both ELF and LF provided an effective control and strongly inhibited spore germination and germ tube elongation of P. expansum in vitro. Assessment by propidium iodide staining combined with fluorescent microscopy revealed that the plasma membrane of P. expansum spores was damaged more seriously by ELF than by LF treatment, and the leakage of protein and sugar was higher from ELF-treated mycelia. Interestingly, ELF treatment induced a significant increase in the activities of chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and peroxidase in apple fruit, whereas both LF treatment and the control showed no obvious difference. These findings indicated that the effects of ELF on blue mold in apple fruit might be associated with the direct fungitoxic property against the pathogens and the elicitation of defense-related enzymes in fruit.
Department of Plant Protection,  Shandong Agricultural University , Tai'an, Shandong 271018, Peole's Republic of China.
Jie
J
Wang
Xu-Gen
XG
Shi
Hong-Yan
HY
Wang
Xiao-Ming
XM
Xia
Kai-Yun
KY
Wang
D002688:Chitinases / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004951:Esterification; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027845:Malus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010407:Penicillium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D010940:Plant Proteins; D009195:Peroxidase; D002688:Chitinases; D007781:Lactoferrin