Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111631
Gerefa Sefu Edo , Esa Abiso Godana , Kaili Wang , Hongyin Zhang , Qiya Yang
Fungal pathogens causing deterioration in fruits and vegetables after harvest contribute significantly to the annual global economic loss of $750 billion. The use of synthetic chemical fungicides is still the main method of mitigating this huge loss, but challenges such as reduction in maximum residue limits, environmental impact, resistance development, impact on biodiversity, and human health alert to search for alternative methods. Biocontrol mechanisms that inhibit fungal pathogens using antagonistic microbes are effective, with the exception of specificity or efficiency variability and limited shelf life. Enhancing the performance of antagonistic microbes is the best approach to overcome these limitations. The objective of our recent study was to improve the performance of Debaryomyces hansenii against pear fruits blue mold decay caused by Penicillium expansum by inducing it with alginate oligosaccharides (AOS). The findings of this study revealed that AOS significantly improved the efficiency of D. hansenii by many folds. D. hansenii induced by AOS, applied to wounds and surfaces of pear fruit and stored at both room (20 °C) and cold (4 °C) temperatures, demonstrated significantly better performance and viability. Lesion diameter and disease incidence percentage are primary in vivo indicators. Physiological study such as increased activity of disease defense-related and reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes, flavonoids, and total phenolic compounds are added as proof of the results. Furthermore, in vitro studies indicate P. expansum germination rate, germ tube length, and radial growth when treated with D. hansenii with AOS-induced were reduced. A molecular-level study will be conducted as part of this research.
{"title":"Study on biocontrol efficacy of Debaryomyces hansenii induced with alginate oligosaccharides against blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum on pear fruit","authors":"Gerefa Sefu Edo , Esa Abiso Godana , Kaili Wang , Hongyin Zhang , Qiya Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fungal pathogens causing deterioration in fruits and vegetables after harvest contribute significantly to the annual global economic loss of $750 billion. The use of synthetic chemical fungicides is still the main method of mitigating this huge loss, but challenges such as reduction in maximum residue limits, environmental impact, resistance development, impact on biodiversity, and human health alert to search for alternative methods. Biocontrol mechanisms that inhibit fungal pathogens using antagonistic microbes are effective, with the exception of specificity or efficiency variability and limited shelf life. Enhancing the performance of antagonistic microbes is the best approach to overcome these limitations. The objective of our recent study was to improve the performance of <em>Debaryomyces hansenii</em> against pear fruits blue mold decay caused by <em>Penicillium expansum</em> by inducing it with alginate oligosaccharides (AOS). The findings of this study revealed that AOS significantly improved the efficiency of <em>D. hansenii</em> by many folds. <em>D. hansenii</em> induced by AOS, applied to wounds and surfaces of pear fruit and stored at both room (20 °C) and cold (4 °C) temperatures, demonstrated significantly better performance and viability. Lesion diameter and disease incidence percentage are primary <em>in vivo</em> indicators. Physiological study such as increased activity of disease defense-related and reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes, flavonoids, and total phenolic compounds are added as proof of the results. Furthermore, <em>in vitro</em> studies indicate <em>P. expansum</em> germination rate, germ tube length, and radial growth when treated with <em>D. hansenii</em> with AOS-induced were reduced. A molecular-level study will be conducted as part of this research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111631"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111635
Xiaoyun Zhang , Hui Qiu , Qingrong Yue , Esa Abiso Godana , Jun Li , Yuanyuan Xie , Lina Zhao , Hongyin Zhang
Our previous study demonstrated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a potential biocontrol agent for postharvest management of tomato soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense (Pcb). In this study, the application of B. amyloliquefaciens significantly reduced the natural decay of tomato fruits, as well as alleviating quality deterioration. However, the relative mechanisms especially the molecular mechanisms involved need a comprehensive exploration. In this study, we investigated the colonization capacity of B. amyloliquefaciens on fruits and the induced defense response of tomato fruits, with particular emphasis on transcriptome-wide gene expression alterations profiled through RNA sequencing. The results demonstrated that B. amyloliquefaciens exhibited robust biofilm formation enabling rapid wound colonization that competitively suppressed Pcb through nutrient and spatial resource sequestration. Additionally, B. amyloliquefaciens significantly elevated defensive enzyme (polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) activities and resistant secondary metabolite accumulation (total phenols, flavonoids and lignin) in tomato fruits. More importantly, B. amyloliquefaciens up-regulated important genes participating in plant-pathogen interaction, MAPK cascades, plant hormone transduction, secondary metabolite synthesis, and sulfur metabolism in fruits. These coordinated mechanisms collectively enhanced systemic defense ability, thus strengthening the disease resistance of fruits against pathogens. This research provides valuable insights for establishing novel strategy to manage postharvest diseases of tomato fruits.
{"title":"Unlocking the mechanisms involved in the control of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens against postharvest soft rot of tomato fruits","authors":"Xiaoyun Zhang , Hui Qiu , Qingrong Yue , Esa Abiso Godana , Jun Li , Yuanyuan Xie , Lina Zhao , Hongyin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Our previous study demonstrated that <em>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</em> is a potential biocontrol agent for postharvest management of tomato soft rot caused by <em>Pectobacterium carotovorum</em> subsp. <em>brasiliense</em> (<em>Pcb</em>). In this study, the application of <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> significantly reduced the natural decay of tomato fruits, as well as alleviating quality deterioration. However, the relative mechanisms especially the molecular mechanisms involved need a comprehensive exploration. In this study, we investigated the colonization capacity of <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> on fruits and the induced defense response of tomato fruits, with particular emphasis on transcriptome-wide gene expression alterations profiled through RNA sequencing. The results demonstrated that <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> exhibited robust biofilm formation enabling rapid wound colonization that competitively suppressed <em>Pcb</em> through nutrient and spatial resource sequestration. Additionally, <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> significantly elevated defensive enzyme (polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) activities and resistant secondary metabolite accumulation (total phenols, flavonoids and lignin) in tomato fruits. More importantly, <em>B. amyloliquefaciens</em> up-regulated important genes participating in plant-pathogen interaction, MAPK cascades, plant hormone transduction, secondary metabolite synthesis, and sulfur metabolism in fruits. These coordinated mechanisms collectively enhanced systemic defense ability, thus strengthening the disease resistance of fruits against pathogens. This research provides valuable insights for establishing novel strategy to manage postharvest diseases of tomato fruits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111635"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111630
Junxin Zhao , Tonglei Zhou , Yiming Xu , Mengfei Duan , Zheng Zhao , Jingyi Gui , Didi Guo , Xinshuo Yang , Deguo Wang , Yunzhi Lin , Su Zar Chi Lwin , Yoshimitsu Masuda , Ken-ichi Honjoh , Takahisa Miyamoto , Fugang Xiao
Endolysins encoded by bacteriophages have been reported to be the novel antibacterial agents for foodborne pathogens. However, there remains a research gap in identifying endolysins with broad lytic spectra and high activity for applications in food industry. To address this gap, the present study aimed to express, purify, and biochemically characterize two endolysins, LysPS3–1 (Peptidase M15-like superfamily) and LysPS5 (Muraidase), derived from Salmonella phage PS3–1 and polyvalent phage PS5, respectively. LysPS3–1 and LysPS5 were found to have wide lytic spectra, and strong lytic activities against chloroform-treated V. vulnificus, S. typhimurium, P. oleovorans and E. coli O157. After incubation at −20-60 °C, at pH 3.0–12.0, and in the presence of NaCl at 25–1000 mM for 1 h, both endolysins still exhibited high lytic activities (≥80%). In addition, LysPS3–1 or LysPS5 (5 μg/mL) combined with EDTA (0.1–5 mM) showed effective synergistic antibacterial and bactericidal effect against P. oleovorans. After treatment with 0.5 mM EDTA and 100 μg/mL LysPS3–1 or LysPS5 for 3 h in LB broth, the viable P. oleovorans counts were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). This combination also significantly reduced the viable counts of P. oleovorans in liquid (milk and juice) and solid (bacon and salmon) foods at 4 °C (P < 0.05). Therefore, these two endolysins could be used as potential antibacterial agents for controlling food spoilage bacteria in food industry.
{"title":"Expression, characterization and antibacterial effects of two endolysins as novel biocontrol agents against Pseudomonas oleovorans in foods","authors":"Junxin Zhao , Tonglei Zhou , Yiming Xu , Mengfei Duan , Zheng Zhao , Jingyi Gui , Didi Guo , Xinshuo Yang , Deguo Wang , Yunzhi Lin , Su Zar Chi Lwin , Yoshimitsu Masuda , Ken-ichi Honjoh , Takahisa Miyamoto , Fugang Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Endolysins encoded by bacteriophages have been reported to be the novel antibacterial agents for foodborne pathogens. However, there remains a research gap in identifying endolysins with broad lytic spectra and high activity for applications in food industry. To address this gap, the present study aimed to express, purify, and biochemically characterize two endolysins, LysPS3–1 (Peptidase M15-like superfamily) and LysPS5 (Muraidase), derived from <em>Salmonella</em> phage PS3–1 and polyvalent phage PS5, respectively. LysPS3–1 and LysPS5 were found to have wide lytic spectra, and strong lytic activities against chloroform-treated <em>V. vulnificus</em>, <em>S. typhimurium</em>, <em>P. oleovorans</em> and <em>E. coli</em> O157. After incubation at −20-60 °C, at pH 3.0–12.0, and in the presence of NaCl at 25–1000 mM for 1 h, both endolysins still exhibited high lytic activities (≥80%). In addition, LysPS3–1 or LysPS5 (5 μg/mL) combined with EDTA (0.1–5 mM) showed effective synergistic antibacterial and bactericidal effect against <em>P. oleovorans</em>. After treatment with 0.5 mM EDTA and 100 μg/mL LysPS3–1 or LysPS5 for 3 h in LB broth, the viable <em>P. oleovorans</em> counts were significantly reduced (<em>P</em> < 0.05). This combination also significantly reduced the viable counts of <em>P. oleovorans</em> in liquid (milk and juice) and solid (bacon and salmon) foods at 4 °C (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Therefore, these two endolysins could be used as potential antibacterial agents for controlling food spoilage bacteria in food industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111630"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111634
Denes do Rosario , Juliana X. Bissoli , Pedro H.A. Martins , Brenno A.S. Jacinto , Eniale M. Oliveira , Carlos A. Conte-Junior , Patrícia C. Bernardes
This study aimed to isolate, promote molecular identification (ITS1, ITS4, α-tubulin, and β-tubulin), and model the growth of Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Penicillium verrucosum, Penicillium citrinum, and Penicillium nalgiovense from the microbiota of the traditional Brazilian dry-cured loin “Socol”. Growth (μmax and lag phase) occurred under environmental conditions of temperatures between 15 and 35 °C and water activities between 0.83 and 0.97. A. westerdijkiae grew three times faster (0.50 mm/h) than the other fungi and was favored by higher temperatures. P. nalgiovense was slightly affected by temperature. P. verrucosum was favored at lower temperatures. This entire scenario was observed during the simulated start of production, a critical point for fungal colonization of dry-cured meat products. While producing dry-cured meat products in tropical countries is challenging, refrigeration poses the same risks as in temperate countries. Hence, understanding the microbial dynamics of these products is the key to improving the production chain in terms of consumer safety. Extending the refrigeration time at the beginning of production may be an alternative to increase safety.
{"title":"Growth modeling of autochthonous molds from the traditional Brazilian dry-cured loin “Socol”: Impact of the abiotic conditions","authors":"Denes do Rosario , Juliana X. Bissoli , Pedro H.A. Martins , Brenno A.S. Jacinto , Eniale M. Oliveira , Carlos A. Conte-Junior , Patrícia C. Bernardes","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to isolate, promote molecular identification (ITS1, ITS4, α-tubulin, and β-tubulin), and model the growth of <em>Aspergillus westerdijkiae</em>, <em>Penicillium verrucosum</em>, <em>Penicillium citrinum</em>, and <em>Penicillium nalgiovense</em> from the microbiota of the traditional Brazilian dry-cured loin “Socol”. Growth (μmax and lag phase) occurred under environmental conditions of temperatures between 15 and 35 °C and water activities between 0.83 and 0.97. <em>A. westerdijkiae</em> grew three times faster (0.50 mm/h) than the other fungi and was favored by higher temperatures. <em>P. nalgiovense</em> was slightly affected by temperature. <em>P. verrucosum</em> was favored at lower temperatures. This entire scenario was observed during the simulated start of production, a critical point for fungal colonization of dry-cured meat products. While producing dry-cured meat products in tropical countries is challenging, refrigeration poses the same risks as in temperate countries. Hence, understanding the microbial dynamics of these products is the key to improving the production chain in terms of consumer safety. Extending the refrigeration time at the beginning of production may be an alternative to increase safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111634"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146029455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aspergillus flavus is among the most resilient fungi, causing significant losses in the quantity and quality of agricultural food commodities. It often produces aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a Class 1 human carcinogen that poses a serious threat to human and animal health. The present study investigated the potential of a chemically characterized essential oil-based formulation, ZTC (a synergistic mixture of Zingiber officinale (ZOEO), Trachyspermum ammi (TAEO), and Coleus aromaticus (CEO)) against the growth and aflatoxin B1 production by the toxigenic species Aspergillus flavus. The ZTC formulation demonstrated in vitro and in situ antifungal effects (0.4 μL/mL) and aflatoxin inhibition (0.3 μL/mL) against A. flavus. At the cellular level, ZTC disrupted ergosterol biosynthesis, compromised membrane integrity, impaired mitochondrial potential, and altered redox homeostasis. Integrated transcriptomic and biochemical analyses indicated coordinated downregulation of glycolysis, the TCA cycle, ATP production, and sterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. This led to energy deficiency, membrane destabilization, induction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of aflatoxin B1 biosynthesis by suppressing gene expression and disrupting key enzymes, thereby reducing AFB1 at sublethal concentrations. The findings highlight the multi-target mechanism of action of the developed formulation, ZTC, against fungal growth and aflatoxin B1 contamination, and recommend it as a promising candidate for eco-friendly and sustainable antifungal agents.
{"title":"Systematic investigation of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus inhibition: Integrating essential oils-based formulation with mathematical modeling and transcriptomic analysis","authors":"Prem Pratap Singh , Ritu Singh , Praveen Kumar Verma , Bhanu Prakash","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Aspergillus flavus</em> is among the most resilient fungi, causing significant losses in the quantity and quality of agricultural food commodities. It often produces aflatoxin B<sub>1</sub> (AFB<sub>1</sub>), a Class 1 human carcinogen that poses a serious threat to human and animal health. The present study investigated the potential of a chemically characterized essential oil-based formulation, ZTC (a synergistic mixture of <em>Zingiber officinale</em> (ZOEO), <em>Trachyspermum ammi</em> (TAEO), and <em>Coleus aromaticus</em> (CEO)) against the growth and aflatoxin B<sub>1</sub> production by the toxigenic species <em>Aspergillus flavus</em>. The ZTC formulation demonstrated in vitro and in situ antifungal effects (0.4 μL/mL) and aflatoxin inhibition (0.3 μL/mL) against <em>A. flavus</em>. At the cellular level, ZTC disrupted ergosterol biosynthesis, compromised membrane integrity, impaired mitochondrial potential, and altered redox homeostasis. Integrated transcriptomic and biochemical analyses indicated coordinated downregulation of glycolysis, the TCA cycle, ATP production, and sterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. This led to energy deficiency, membrane destabilization, induction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of aflatoxin B<sub>1</sub> biosynthesis by suppressing gene expression and disrupting key enzymes, thereby reducing AFB<sub>1</sub> at sublethal concentrations. The findings highlight the multi-target mechanism of action of the developed formulation, ZTC, against fungal growth and aflatoxin B1 contamination, and recommend it as a promising candidate for eco-friendly and sustainable antifungal agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111632"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146010228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111633
Chenggang Song , Aoran Xue , Zhi-Jun Zhang , Lan Yang , Bao-Qi Zhang , Mingzhe Zhang , Yingqian Liu , Jianchun Qin
Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by pathogenic fungi contaminating agricultural commodities, represent a significant threat to food safety and human health. Notably, Aspergillus flavus and its associated aflatoxins are primary food contaminants requiring rigorous prevention and control strategies. This study elucidates the mechanism by which neocryptolepine, a natural antifungal compound, inhibits A. flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 accumulation in corn. Neocryptolepine effectively impedes the vegetative growth of A. flavus filaments and spores, disrupting cellular integrity by interfering with cell wall component synthesis. Furthermore, neocryptolepine treatment induces mitochondrial dysfunction in A. flavus cells, leading to disruptions in energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that neocryptolepine downregulates the expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic gene clusters, such as aflJ, and related global regulatory factors, thereby suppressing aflatoxin biosynthesis. Importantly, the drug protected corn kernels from A. flavus infection without affecting their germination capacity. These findings suggest that neocryptolepine holds promise as a potential eco-friendly mycotoxin inhibitor for application in agricultural and food production.
{"title":"The mechanisms of neocryptolepine inhibiting Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 accumulation in corn","authors":"Chenggang Song , Aoran Xue , Zhi-Jun Zhang , Lan Yang , Bao-Qi Zhang , Mingzhe Zhang , Yingqian Liu , Jianchun Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by pathogenic fungi contaminating agricultural commodities, represent a significant threat to food safety and human health. Notably, <em>Aspergillus flavus</em> and its associated aflatoxins are primary food contaminants requiring rigorous prevention and control strategies. This study elucidates the mechanism by which neocryptolepine, a natural antifungal compound, inhibits <em>A. flavus</em> growth and aflatoxin B1 accumulation in corn. Neocryptolepine effectively impedes the vegetative growth of <em>A. flavus</em> filaments and spores, disrupting cellular integrity by interfering with cell wall component synthesis. Furthermore, neocryptolepine treatment induces mitochondrial dysfunction in <em>A. flavus</em> cells, leading to disruptions in energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that neocryptolepine downregulates the expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic gene clusters, such as <em>aflJ</em>, and related global regulatory factors, thereby suppressing aflatoxin biosynthesis. Importantly, the drug protected corn kernels from <em>A. flavus</em> infection without affecting their germination capacity. These findings suggest that neocryptolepine holds promise as a potential eco-friendly mycotoxin inhibitor for application in agricultural and food production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111633"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111636
Lihan Wu , Yuqi Zhang , Xuan Chen, Qingfen Zhang, Shihua Wang
Aspergillus flavus is a typical filamentous fungus that poses risk to both humans and animals, as well as for crops. The secondary metabolite aflatoxin B1 produced by A. flavus is also one of the most carcinogenic and toxic natural pollutants discovered so far. Lysine benzoylation (Kbz), which participates in various life activities in different organisms, is an important post-translational modification of proteins. Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is a key enzyme in the maintenance of the homocysteine balance in organisms. However, the basic mechanism of CBS in the life activities of A. flavus is still unclear. By knocking out the cbs gene, it was found that compared to the wild-type and complementary strains, the cbs deficient strains had lower growth diameter, spore yield and seed colonization, while the number of sclerotia was increased, and toxin accumulation was increased by TLC. We then validated these results through RT-PCR. We also found the existence of a benzoyl site K109 on CBS by immunoprecipitation. Mutation at K109 abolishes benzoylation, resulting in reduced CBS enzymatic activity, which We found that the phenotype of point mutations is consistent with that of knockout strains. In addition, we found that benzoyltransferase GcnE catalyzes the benzoylation of CBS protein and affects enzyme activity. These results not only give theoretical support for the research of cystathionine β-synthase and benzoyl modification, but also provides fresh ideas for the prevention and control of pathogenic fungus A. flavus.
{"title":"The development and virulence of Aspergillus flavus regulated by benzoylation of CBS protein","authors":"Lihan Wu , Yuqi Zhang , Xuan Chen, Qingfen Zhang, Shihua Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Aspergillus flavus</em> is a typical filamentous fungus that poses risk to both humans and animals, as well as for crops. The secondary metabolite aflatoxin B1 produced by <em>A. flavus</em> is also one of the most carcinogenic and toxic natural pollutants discovered so far. Lysine benzoylation (Kbz), which participates in various life activities in different organisms, is an important post-translational modification of proteins. Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is a key enzyme in the maintenance of the homocysteine balance in organisms. However, the basic mechanism of CBS in the life activities of <em>A. flavus</em> is still unclear. By knocking out the <em>cbs</em> gene, it was found that compared to the wild-type and complementary strains, the <em>cbs</em> deficient strains had lower growth diameter, spore yield and seed colonization, while the number of sclerotia was increased, and toxin accumulation was increased by TLC. We then validated these results through RT-PCR. We also found the existence of a benzoyl site K109 on CBS by immunoprecipitation. Mutation at K109 abolishes benzoylation, resulting in reduced CBS enzymatic activity, which We found that the phenotype of point mutations is consistent with that of knockout strains. In addition, we found that benzoyltransferase GcnE catalyzes the benzoylation of CBS protein and affects enzyme activity. These results not only give theoretical support for the research of cystathionine β-synthase and benzoyl modification, but also provides fresh ideas for the prevention and control of pathogenic fungus <em>A. flavus</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111636"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146018466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111637
Veronica Moscone, Davide Porcellato
Spoilage of dairy products by psychrotrophic bacteria poses a significant challenge to the food industry, compromising product quality and increasing food waste. Among these microorganisms, Pseudomonas species are particularly problematic due to their production of heat-resistant extracellular enzymes that degrade milk proteins and alter milk functionality. However, the mechanisms underlying strain-specific differences in AprX production and activity, and how these differences influence casein degradation and acid-induced gelation, remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigated how diverse Pseudomonas strains with varying proteolytic capabilities impact milk quality, specifically through their effects on casein degradation and coagulation properties. During growth in milk, the strains displayed distinct preferences for degrading either κ-casein or β-casein. κ-Casein degradation correlated with earlier and stronger acid gelation, accompanied by rapid gel development, while β-casein degradation was associated with earlier rennet coagulation. Genomic analysis of the aprX-lipA2 operon revealed variability in operon structure and gene expression that did not consistently predict proteolytic activity across strains. Proteomic and AprX sequence analyses indicated that factors such as gene regulation and secretion system efficiency critically influence strain-specific spoilage potential. Overall, these findings clarify how differences in AprX expression and proteolytic behaviour among Pseudomonas strains influence both acid and rennet coagulation, highlighting the broader impact of strain-level variability on milk functionality during refrigerated storage.
{"title":"Strain-specific effects of bacterial proteolytic activity on acid and rennet coagulation of milk","authors":"Veronica Moscone, Davide Porcellato","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spoilage of dairy products by psychrotrophic bacteria poses a significant challenge to the food industry, compromising product quality and increasing food waste. Among these microorganisms, <em>Pseudomonas</em> species are particularly problematic due to their production of heat-resistant extracellular enzymes that degrade milk proteins and alter milk functionality. However, the mechanisms underlying strain-specific differences in AprX production and activity, and how these differences influence casein degradation and acid-induced gelation, remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we investigated how diverse <em>Pseudomonas</em> strains with varying proteolytic capabilities impact milk quality, specifically through their effects on casein degradation and coagulation properties. During growth in milk, the strains displayed distinct preferences for degrading either κ-casein or β-casein. κ-Casein degradation correlated with earlier and stronger acid gelation, accompanied by rapid gel development, while β-casein degradation was associated with earlier rennet coagulation. Genomic analysis of the <em>aprX-lipA2</em> operon revealed variability in operon structure and gene expression that did not consistently predict proteolytic activity across strains. Proteomic and AprX sequence analyses indicated that factors such as gene regulation and secretion system efficiency critically influence strain-specific spoilage potential. Overall, these findings clarify how differences in AprX expression and proteolytic behaviour among <em>Pseudomonas</em> strains influence both acid and rennet coagulation, highlighting the broader impact of strain-level variability on milk functionality during refrigerated storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111637"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hákarl, the traditional Icelandic product obtained from the fermentation of Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), represents a unique food item from both cultural and microbiological perspectives. This study investigated commercial samples of hákarl using an integrated approach, combining physico-chemical analyses, lipid and volatile profiling, metataxonomic sequencing, and microbial isolation. Results confirmed the alkaline nature of the product (pH ∼8) and a water activity (aw) of 0.96, sufficient to sustain an active and diverse microbial community. Lipid profiling revealed the predominance of monounsaturated fatty acids, with differences in PUFA and DHA levels between the analyzed producers, consistent with nutritionally favorable characteristics. Microbiological analysis highlighted bacterial communities dominated by Firmicutes, particularly Bacilli and Clostridia, with significant abundances of Tissierella creatinini and Atopostipes suicloacalis. Culture-dependent methods led to the isolation of Carnobacterium antarcticum cultures, which were subsequently characterized for their enzymatic activities. These findings suggest potential biotechnological applications of the isolates, especially in fermentation and aroma development. Volatile compound analysis identified thirteen VOCs including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds. Trimethylamine was the predominant metabolite responsible for the strong ammonia-like odor, followed by phenol and sulfur-containing compounds, which also contributed to the sensory profile. Overall, the results provide novel insights into the microbial ecology, physico-chemical traits, and volatile characteristics of hákarl, confirming its variability linked to artisanal production methods. The study emphasizes hákarl's role as a reservoir of pro-technological microorganisms and advances current understanding of the factors influencing its safety, quality, and identity as traditional fermented food.
{"title":"Novel insights into hákarl: A deep dive into the microbiological and physico-chemical features of Iceland's traditional fermented shark","authors":"Federica Cardinali , Giorgia Rampanti , Paolo Lucci , Ilario Ferrocino , Deborah Pacetti , Benedetta Fanesi , Lama Ismaiel , Vesna Milanović , Cristiana Garofalo , Annalisa Petruzzelli , David Savelli , Claudia Gabucci , Lucia Aquilanti , Andrea Osimani","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Hákarl</em>, the traditional Icelandic product obtained from the fermentation of Greenland shark (<em>Somniosus microcephalus</em>), represents a unique food item from both cultural and microbiological perspectives. This study investigated commercial samples of <em>hákarl</em> using an integrated approach, combining physico-chemical analyses, lipid and volatile profiling, metataxonomic sequencing, and microbial isolation. Results confirmed the alkaline nature of the product (pH ∼8) and a water activity (a<sub>w</sub>) of 0.96, sufficient to sustain an active and diverse microbial community. Lipid profiling revealed the predominance of monounsaturated fatty acids, with differences in PUFA and DHA levels between the analyzed producers, consistent with nutritionally favorable characteristics. Microbiological analysis highlighted bacterial communities dominated by Firmicutes, particularly Bacilli and Clostridia, with significant abundances of <em>Tissierella creatinini</em> and <em>Atopostipes suicloacalis</em>. Culture-dependent methods led to the isolation of <em>Carnobacterium antarcticum</em> cultures, which were subsequently characterized for their enzymatic activities. These findings suggest potential biotechnological applications of the isolates, especially in fermentation and aroma development. Volatile compound analysis identified thirteen VOCs including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds. Trimethylamine was the predominant metabolite responsible for the strong ammonia-like odor, followed by phenol and sulfur-containing compounds, which also contributed to the sensory profile. Overall, the results provide novel insights into the microbial ecology, physico-chemical traits, and volatile characteristics of <em>hákarl</em>, confirming its variability linked to artisanal production methods. The study emphasizes <em>hákarl</em>'s role as a reservoir of pro-technological microorganisms and advances current understanding of the factors influencing its safety, quality, and identity as traditional fermented food.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"450 ","pages":"Article 111629"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111624
Dong Zhang , Xinrui Xie , Changlian Yu , Yuwei Liu , Li Yang , Chang Su , Xingzhong Zhang , Hongjun Li , Jie Tang
This study systematically investigated the effects of liquid smoke on the microbial community, flavor compounds, and metabolites in Sichuan fermented sausages. High-throughput sequencing, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and metabolomics were employed. The results showed that the addition of liquid smoke (XH group) partially altered the composition of the microbial community: the relative abundance of Latilactobacillus decreased, while that of Staphylococcus and Lactococcus increased. The fungal composition also shifted. The predominant fungi in the XH group were Apiotrichum, Yarrowia, and Fusicolla, whereas in the control group (H group, without liquid smoke), they were Apiotrichum, Yarrowia, and Kurtzmaniella. Both groups developed favorable flavors during fermentation; however, unique compounds such as 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol were detected exclusively in the XH group. Metabolomic analysis revealed that while the levels of some secondary metabolites decreased in the XH group, those of other metabolites with important functional roles or positive contributions to taste were enhanced. In conclusion, the addition of liquid smoke did not completely reshape the overall microbial structure. Instead, it influenced metabolic outcomes by modulating the abundance of dominant species, thereby leading to certain variations in flavor and metabolite profiles. Notably, the addition of 0.08 % liquid smoke enriched the flavor profile of Sichuan fermented sausages without significantly affecting their overall acceptability, demonstrating its potential for application in their production.
{"title":"New insights into the characteristic flavor formation of Sichuan fermented sausages driven by liquid smoke addition: An integrated study based on microbiomics, flavoromics, and untargeted metabolomics","authors":"Dong Zhang , Xinrui Xie , Changlian Yu , Yuwei Liu , Li Yang , Chang Su , Xingzhong Zhang , Hongjun Li , Jie Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111624","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2026.111624","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study systematically investigated the effects of liquid smoke on the microbial community, flavor compounds, and metabolites in Sichuan fermented sausages. High-throughput sequencing, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and metabolomics were employed. The results showed that the addition of liquid smoke (XH group) partially altered the composition of the microbial community: the relative abundance of <em>Latilactobacillus</em> decreased, while that of <em>Staphylococcus</em> and <em>Lactococcus</em> increased. The fungal composition also shifted. The predominant fungi in the XH group were <em>Apiotrichum</em>, <em>Yarrowia</em>, and <em>Fusicolla</em>, whereas in the control group (H group, without liquid smoke), they were <em>Apiotrichum</em>, <em>Yarrowia</em>, and <em>Kurtzmaniella</em>. Both groups developed favorable flavors during fermentation; however, unique compounds such as 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol were detected exclusively in the XH group. Metabolomic analysis revealed that while the levels of some secondary metabolites decreased in the XH group, those of other metabolites with important functional roles or positive contributions to taste were enhanced. In conclusion, the addition of liquid smoke did not completely reshape the overall microbial structure. Instead, it influenced metabolic outcomes by modulating the abundance of dominant species, thereby leading to certain variations in flavor and metabolite profiles. Notably, the addition of 0.08 % liquid smoke enriched the flavor profile of Sichuan fermented sausages without significantly affecting their overall acceptability, demonstrating its potential for application in their production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14095,"journal":{"name":"International journal of food microbiology","volume":"449 ","pages":"Article 111624"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145922788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}