Exploring the effect of β-glucan on the biocontrol activity of Cryptococcus podzolicus against postharvest decay of apples and the possible mechanisms involved

Publication date: Available online 3 February 2018 Source:Biological Control Author(s): Yun Wang, Yulin Li, Weidong Xu, Xiangfeng Zheng, Xiaoyun Zhang, Mandour H. Abdelhai, Lina Zhao, Huifang Li, Junwei Diao, Hongyin Zhang China is one of the largest producers of apples worldwide. Apple decay caused by Penicillium expansum has led to serious economic losses and, therefore, is a major concern. In this work, we investigated the efficacy of Cryptococcus podzolicus enhanced by β-glucan in controlling the postharvest decay of apples and the possible mechanisms involved in this process. Our results showed that β-glucan increased the biological control ability of Cryptococcus podzolicus. Additionally, the treatment did not have adverse effects on various storage quality parameters of the apples. When enhanced by β-glucan, Cryptococcus podzolicus grew better in apple wounds at either 20 °C or 4 °C. Our results also indicated that in treated apples, the activities of defense-related enzymes, including polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and catalase (CAT), increased whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased. Moreover, different proteins from Cryptococcus podzolicus were identified using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. This analysis also showed that the expression of some proteins involved in cell wall synthesis and energy production outside of basic metabolism was upregulated when Cryptococcus podzolicus was enhanc...

Source: Biological Control - February 3, 2018 Category: Biology Source Type: research