ISHS Acta Horticulturae 470: II International Symposium on Pistachios and Almonds
IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY AND VALUE OF PISTACHIOS AND ALMONDS THROUGH PREHARVEST BIOCONTROL OF ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS |
| Authors: | S.-S.T. Hua, J.L. Baker, O.K. Grosjean |
| Keywords: | Saprophytic yeast, Elimination of aflatoxin, Control of sporulation, NOR mutant, Antagonist |
| Abstract:
Saprohytic yeasts have been isolated from pistachio and almond orchards on selective media. A visual bioassay has been developed to facilitate the screening of effective yeast isolates antagonistic to A. flavus. The NOR mutant of A. flavus was used in this visual bioassay because the enzyme norsolorinic acid reductase is blocked resulting in the accumulation of norsolorinic acid, a bright red-orange pigment, which is easily visualized. Each isolate of yeast was tested for its biocontrol activity by scoring its inhibitory effect on colony expansion and sporulation of NOR mutant. Certain yeast strains were found to confine the spreading of NOR mutant and reduce the red-orange pigment formation, an indication of prevention of aflatoxin production. | |
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