Improvement of Candida sake biocontrol activity against post-harvest decay by the addition of ammonium molybdate.

Abstract

AIM:

To improve the efficacy of Candida sake by adding ammonium molybdate to control post-harvest decay in Golden Delicious apples.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

In laboratory trials, C. sake 2 x 10(6) cfu ml(-)1 plus 5 mmol l(-1) ammonium molybdate greatly reduced Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea or Rhizopus stolonifer in apples stored at 20 degrees C for 7 days, and reduced by more than 90% blue and grey mould in apples stored at 1 degrees C for 60 days. The consistency of these results was maintained in semi-commercial trials at 1 degrees C in air and in a low oxygen atmosphere for 120 days. The pre-harvest application of C. sake 2 x 10(7) cfu ml(-1) plus 1 mmol l(-1) ammonium molybdate did not improve post-harvest biocontrol of blue mould. The population of C. sake significantly decreased in the presence of ammonium molybdate in apple wounds.

CONCLUSION:

The addition of ammonium molybdate at 5 mmol l(-1) to C. sake enhanced the efficacy of the antagonist to control post-harvest diseases on apples.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:

Ammonium molybdate significantly reduces the amount of C. sake biomass required to achieve post-harvest disease control, with a consequent reduction in costs. This may be useful in the industrial production of C. sake.

• Authors: C Nunes, J Usall, N Teixidó, I Viñas
• Journal: Journal of applied microbiology (J Appl Microbiol) Vol. 92 Issue 5 Pg. 927-35 ( 2002) ISSN: 1364-5072 [Print] England
• PMID: 11972698 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Molybdenum
• ammonium molybdate

Topics

• Antibiosis
• Botrytis (drug effects)
• Candida (growth & development)
• Food Handling (methods)
• Fungi (drug effects, growth & development)
• Malus (microbiology)
• Molybdenum (pharmacology)
• Penicillium (drug effects, growth & development)
• Pest Control, Biological
• Plant Diseases (microbiology)
• Rhizopus (drug effects, growth & development)