Penicillium and Talaromyces Species as Postharvest Pathogens of Pear Fruit (Pyrus communis) in Serbia

New Insights into Chemical and Biological Properties of Funicone-like Compounds

Funicone-like compounds are a homogeneous group of polyketides that, so far, have only been reported as fungal secondary metabolites. In particular, species in the genus Talaromyces seem to be the most typical producers of this group of secondary metabolites. The molecular structure of funicone, the archetype of these products, is characterized by a γ-pyrone ring linked through a ketone group to a α-resorcylic acid nucleus. This review provides an update on the current knowledge on the chemistry of funicone-like compounds, with special emphasis on their classification, occurrence, and diverse biological activities. In addition, their potential relevance as mycotoxins is discussed.

Biotransformation of Waste Bile Acids: A New Possible Sustainable Approach to Anti-Fungal Molecules for Crop Plant Bioprotection?

Phytopathogenic fungi are among the main causes of productivity losses in agriculture. To date, synthetic chemical pesticides, such as hydroxyanilides, anilinopyrimidines and azole derivatives, represent the main treatment tools for crop plant defence. However, the large and uncontrolled use of these substances has evidenced several side effects, namely the resistance to treatments, environmental damage and human health risks. The general trend is to replace chemicals with natural molecules in order to reduce these side effects. Moreover, the valorisation of agri-food industry by-products through biotransformation processes represents a sustainable alternative to chemical synthesis in several sectors. This research is aimed at comparing the anti-phytopathogenic activity of waste bovine and porcine bile with secosteroids obtained by biotransformation of bile acids with Rhodococcus strains. The ultimate goal is to apply these natural products on food crops affected by phytopathogenic fungi.

Polyphasic identification of decay agents of lemon fruits in Serbia

Lemon fruits are an important source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, carotenoids, polyphenols, coumarins and terpenes. These lemon compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which have beneficial effects on human health. This research aimed to elucidate the etiology of blue and green molds detected on lemon fruits in Serbia. Using integrative identification approach, the obtained isolates were characterized from morphological, physiological, molecular, phylogenetic and pathological aspects. Colony growth and morphology were examined on Czapek yeast autolysate agar (CYA), Malt extract agar (MEA) and Creatine sucrose agar (CREA), and on CYA at two additional incubation temperatures (5 and 37 ?C). For molecular identification, ITS and partial ?-tubulin (BenA) genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic relationships were investigated using maximum-likelihood method. A pathogenicity test was carried out and the possible difference in pathogenicity among isolates was assessed with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and subsequent Tukey?s test. Four species were identified: Penicillium expansum, Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium polonicum and Talaromyces rugulosus. All four species proved to be pathogenic on lemon fruits, producing symptoms similar to those observed on naturally infected fruits. The results of this study are the first records of the beforementioned Penicillium/ Talaromyces species as postharvest pathogens on lemon fruits in Serbia and the first world report of T. rugulosus as phytopathogenic on the same host.

Incidence, Speciation, and Morpho-Genetic Diversity of Penicillium spp. Causing Blue Mold of Stored Pome Fruits in Serbia

Blue mold, caused by Penicillium spp., is one of the most economically important postharvest diseases of pome fruits, globally. Pome fruits, in particular apple, is the most widely grown pome fruit in Serbia, and the distribution of Penicillium spp. responsible for postharvest decay is unknown. A two-year survey was conducted in 2014 and 2015, where four pome fruits (apple, pear, quince, and medlar) with blue mold symptoms were collected from 20 storage locations throughout Serbia. Detailed morphological characterization, analysis of virulence in three apple cultivars, and multilocus phylogeny revealed three main Penicillium spp. in order of abundance: P. expansum, P. crustosum, and P. solitum. Interestingly, P. expansum split into two distinct clades with strong statistical support that coincided with several morphological observations. Findings from this study are significant and showed previously undocumented diversity in blue mold fungi responsible for postharvest decay including the first finding of P. crustosum, and P. solitum as postharvest pathogens of quince and P. crustosum of medlar fruit in the world, and P. expansum of quince in Serbia. Data from this study provide timely information regarding phenotypic, morphological and genotypic plasticity in P. expansum that will impact the design of species-specific detection tools and guide the development of blue mold management strategies.