Trehalose increases the oxidative stress tolerance and biocontrol efficacy of Candida oleophila in the microenvironment of pear wounds

Publication date: Available online 30 January 2019Source: Biological ControlAuthor(s): Xiaobao Nie, Changfeng Zhang, Changxing Jiang, Ruichang Zhang, Fengjun Guo, Xinguang FanAbstractHarvested fruit tissues produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to wounding. ROS production is further elevated when biocontrol yeasts are introduced into the wounds, where they act as a bio-elicitor and this results in an environment in which the biocontrol yeast is subject to oxidative stress. In the present study, the effect of trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide and a major reserve carbohydrate, on the level of oxidative stress tolerance of the biocontrol yeast Candida oleophila was examined in wounded pear fruits. Results indicated that the level of trehalose in C. oleophila yeast cells increased when they were cultured in a trehalose-containing medium. Exposure to a trehalose-medium and the increase in internal trehalose improved the adaptation of C. oleophila to the oxidative environment present in pear fruit wounds. Trehalose-treated cells exhibited a lower accumulation of ROS and mitochondrial impairment compared to untreated, control cells when they were introduced into wounded pear fruit. The trehalose treatment up-regulated the expression of antioxidant genes, including peroxisomal catalase and thioredoxin reductase, in yeast cells. Trehalose-treated yeast also exhibited a faster growth rate in pear wounds and greater biocontrol efficacy against blue mold (Penicillium exp...
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research