Abstract

Blue mold is one of the most important postharvest diseases of pome fruit in all producing countries. Its causal agent, Penicillium expansum, is also known to produce the mycotoxin patulin, with mutagenic, immunotoxic, and neurotoxic properties. Aims of the present study were to identify Penicillium isolates associated with blue mould decay of pome fruits in Apulia region (South Italy), verify if their genetic potential to produce patulin corresponded to actual toxin contamination, and compare their in vitro and in vivo toxigenicity. Twenty-nine isolates of Penicillium spp. were recovered from apples and pears with blue mold symptoms. Fruits were analyzed for patulin content and results were compared with in vitro toxin production. In general, patulin production was more conspicuous in vivo (particularly on Golden Delicious apples) than in vitro, although the stronger in vivo producer did not correspond to the stronger in vitro producer. Isolate identification was based on both morphological characters and DNA analysis by PCR amplification with P. expansum species-specific primers and sequencing of beta-tubulin gene. Furthermore, fungal isolates were tested for the occurrence of gene (patN) coding the enzyme isoepoxydon dehydrogenase (IDH), involved in the patulin metabolic pathway and considered an useful indicator of critical control points for patulin contamination. All 25 isolates identified as P. expansum were patN and patulin production positive. Moreover, 4 pear isolates belonging to other Penicillium spp. were found, whose identification is being confirmed. They were positive for the patN gene, but only two actually produced patulin. It can be concluded that blue mold of pome fruits in Apulia is mainly associated with toxigenic P. expansum isolates, thus a rapid detection is important to avoid patulin contamination beyond the regulatory limits. Nevertheless, it seems that patN gene alone cannot be considered a predictive assay for production of patulin. An evaluation of its expression level should be carried out.

Autore Pugliese

• Susca Antonia , Solfrizzo Michele

Tutti gli autori

• Sanzani S.; Susca A.; Solfrizzo M.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2015

ISSN

Non Disponibile

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

Non Disponibile

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile