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Mincuzzi A, Picciotti U, Sanzani SM, Garganese F, Palou L, Addante R, Ragni M, Ippolito A. Postharvest Diseases of Pomegranate: Alternative Control Means and a Spiderweb Effect. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:808. [PMID: 37623578 PMCID: PMC10456121 DOI: 10.3390/jof9080808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The pomegranate is a fruit known since ancient times for its beneficial properties. It has recently aroused great interest in the industry and among consumers, leading to a significant increase in demand. Consequently, its cultivation has been boosted all over the world. The pomegranate crop suffers considerable yield losses, especially at the postharvest stage, because it is a "minor crop" with few permitted control means. To control latent (Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Coniella spp., Colletotrichum spp., and Cytospora spp.) and wound (Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Talaromyces spp.) fungal pathogens, different alternative compounds, previously evaluated in vitro, were tested in the field on pomegranate cv. Wonderful. A chitosan solution, a plant protein hydrolysate, and a red seaweed extract were compared with a chemical control treatment, all as preharvest (field application) and postharvest treatments and their combinations. At the end of the storage period, the incidence of stamen infections and external and internal rots, and the severity of internal decay were evaluated. Obtained data revealed that pre- and postharvest application of all substances reduced the epiphytic population on stamens. Preharvest applications of seaweed extract and plant hydrolysate were the most effective treatments to reduce the severity of internal pomegranate decays. Furthermore, the influence of spider (Cheiracanthium mildei) cocoons on the fruit calyx as a possible barrier against postharvest fungal pathogens was assessed in a 'Mollar de Elche' pomegranate organic orchard. Compared to no-cocoon fruit (control), the incidence of infected stamens and internal molds in those with spiderwebs was reduced by about 30%, and the mean severity of internal rots was halved. Spiderwebs analyzed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) disclosed a layered, unordered structure that did not allow for the passage of fungal spores due to its mean mesh size (1 to 20 µm ca). The aims of this research were (i) to evaluate alternative compounds useful to control postharvest pomegranate decays and (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of spiders in reducing postharvest fungal infections by analyzing related mechanisms of action. Alternative control means proposed in the present work and calyx spider colonization may be helpful to reduce postharvest pomegranate diseases, yield losses, and waste production in an integrated control strategy, satisfying organic agriculture and the planned goals of Zero Hunger Challenge launched by the United Nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Mincuzzi
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (U.P.); (S.M.S.); (F.G.); (R.A.); (M.R.); (A.I.)
| | - Ugo Picciotti
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (U.P.); (S.M.S.); (F.G.); (R.A.); (M.R.); (A.I.)
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (U.P.); (S.M.S.); (F.G.); (R.A.); (M.R.); (A.I.)
| | - Francesca Garganese
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (U.P.); (S.M.S.); (F.G.); (R.A.); (M.R.); (A.I.)
| | - Lluís Palou
- Pathology Laboratory, Postharvest Technology Center (CTP), Valencian Institute of Agrarian Research (IVIA), CV-315, Km 10.7, Montcada, 46113 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Rocco Addante
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (U.P.); (S.M.S.); (F.G.); (R.A.); (M.R.); (A.I.)
| | - Marco Ragni
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (U.P.); (S.M.S.); (F.G.); (R.A.); (M.R.); (A.I.)
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (U.P.); (S.M.S.); (F.G.); (R.A.); (M.R.); (A.I.)
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Admane N, Cavallo G, Hadjila C, Cavalluzzi MM, Rotondo NP, Salerno A, Cannillo J, Difonzo G, Caponio F, Ippolito A, Lentini G, Sanzani SM. Biostimulant Formulations and Moringa oleifera Extracts to Improve Yield, Quality, and Storability of Hydroponic Lettuce. Molecules 2023; 28:373. [PMID: 36615566 PMCID: PMC9822398 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The urgent need to increase the sustainability of crop production has pushed the agricultural sector towards the use of biostimulants based on natural products. The current work aimed to determine whether the preharvest application of two commercial formulations, based on a Fabaceae enzymatic hydrolysate or a blend of nitrogen sources including fulvic acids, and two lab-made aqueous extracts from Moringa oleifera leaves (MLEs), could improve yield, quality, and storability of lettuce grown in a hydroponic system, as compared to an untreated control. Lettuce plants treated with the MLEs showed significantly improved quality parameters (leaf number, area, and color), total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, and resistance against the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, comparable to that obtained with commercial formulates, particularly those based on the protein hydrolysate. A difference between the M. oleifera extracts was observed, probably due to the different compositions. Although further large-scale trials are needed, the tested MLEs seem a promising safe and effective preharvest means to improve lettuce agronomic and quality parameters and decrease susceptibility to rots.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Maddalena Cavalluzzi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia—Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Natalie Paola Rotondo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia—Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Salerno
- Forza Vitale, Via Castel del Monte, 194/C, 70033 Corato, Italy
| | - Joseph Cannillo
- Forza Vitale, Via Castel del Monte, 194/C, 70033 Corato, Italy
| | - Graziana Difonzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Caponio
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia—Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- CIHEAM Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Mincuzzi A, Sanzani SM, Palou L, Ragni M, Ippolito A. Postharvest Rot of Pomegranate Fruit in Southern Italy: Characterization of the Main Pathogens. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050475. [PMID: 35628731 PMCID: PMC9143415 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an emerging crop in Italy and particularly in southern regions, such as Apulia, Basilicata, and Sicily, due to favorable climatic conditions. The crop is affected by several pathogenic fungi, primarily in the field, but also during postharvest phases. The most important postharvest fungal diseases in pomegranate are gray and blue molds, black heart and black spot, anthracnose, dry rot, and various soft rots. The limited number of fungicides allowed for treatment in the field and the lack of postharvest fungicides make it difficult to control latent, quiescent, and incipient fungal infections. Symptomatic pomegranates from southern Italy were sampled and isolated fungi were morphologically and molecularly characterized. The data obtained revealed that various species of Penicillium sensu lato (including Talaromyces genus), Alternaria spp., Coniella granati, and Botrytis cinerea were the principal etiological agents of postharvest pomegranate fruit diseases; other relevant pathogens, although less represented, were ascribable to Aspergillus sect. nigri, Colletotrichum acutatum sensu stricto, and Cytospora punicae. About two thirds of the isolated pathogens were responsible for latent infections. The results obtained may be useful in planning phytosanitary control strategies from the field to storage, so as to reduce yield losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Mincuzzi
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (S.M.S.); (A.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-080-544-3055
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (S.M.S.); (A.I.)
| | - Lluís Palou
- Laboratori de Patologia, Centre de Tecnologia Postcollita (CTP), Institut Valencià d’Investigacions Agràries (IVIA), Ctra. CV-315 Km 10.7, 46113 Montcada, Valencia, Spain;
| | - Marco Ragni
- Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (S.M.S.); (A.I.)
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Aloi F, Riolo M, Sanzani SM, Mincuzzi A, Ippolito A, Siciliano I, Pane A, Gullino ML, Cacciola SO. Characterization of Alternaria Species Associated with Heart Rot of Pomegranate Fruit. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:172. [PMID: 33673441 PMCID: PMC7997272 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was aimed at identifying Alternaria species associated with heart rot disease of pomegranate fruit in southern Italy and characterizing their mycotoxigenic profile. A total of 42 Alternaria isolates were characterized. They were obtained from pomegranate fruits with symptoms of heart rot sampled in Apulia and Sicily and grouped into six distinct morphotypes based on macro- and microscopic features. According to multigene phylogenetic analysis, including internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF-1α), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and a SCAR marker (OPA10-2), 38 isolates of morphotypes 1 to 5 were identified as Alternaria alternata, while isolates of morphotype 6, all from Sicily, clustered within the Alternaria arborescens species complex. In particular, isolates of morphotype 1, the most numerous, clustered with the ex-type isolate of A. alternata, proving to belong to A. alternata. No difference in pathogenicity on pomegranate fruits was found between isolates of A. alternata and A. arborescens and among A. alternata isolates of different morphotypes. The toxigenic profile of isolates varied greatly: in vitro, all 42 isolates produced tenuazonic acid and most of them other mycotoxins, including alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, altenuene and tentoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Aloi
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.A.); (M.R.)
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Riolo
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.A.); (M.R.)
- Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis, Research Centre for Olive, Citrus and Tree Fruit–Rende CS (CREA- OFA), 87036 Rende, Italy
- Department of Agricultural Science, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | | | - Annamaria Mincuzzi
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.I.)
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.I.)
| | - Ilenia Siciliano
- Agroinnova—Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Turin, 10095 Turin, Italy; (I.S.); (M.L.G.)
| | - Antonella Pane
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.A.); (M.R.)
| | - Maria Lodovica Gullino
- Agroinnova—Centre of Competence for the Innovation in the Agro-Environmental Sector, University of Turin, 10095 Turin, Italy; (I.S.); (M.L.G.)
| | - Santa Olga Cacciola
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (F.A.); (M.R.)
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Tragni V, Cotugno P, De Grassi A, Massari F, Di Ronzo F, Aresta AM, Zambonin C, Sanzani SM, Ippolito A, Pierri CL. Targeting mitochondrial metabolite transporters in Penicillium expansum for reducing patulin production. Plant Physiol Biochem 2021; 158:158-181. [PMID: 33250320 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing need of alternative treatments to control fungal infection and consequent mycotoxin accumulation in harvested fruits and vegetables. Indeed, only few biological targets of antifungal agents have been characterized and can be used for limiting fungal spread from decayed fruits/vegetables to surrounding healthy ones during storage. On this concern, a promising target of new antifungal treatments may be represented by mitochondrial proteins due to some species-specific functions played by mitochondria in fungal morphogenesis, drug resistance and virulence. One of the most studied mycotoxins is patulin produced by several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus genera. Patulin is toxic to many biological systems including bacteria, higher plants and animalia. Although precise biochemical mechanisms of patulin toxicity in humans are not completely clarified, its high presence in fresh and processed apple fruits and other apple-based products makes necessary developing a strategy for limiting its presence/accumulation. Patulin biosynthetic pathway consists of an enzymatic cascade, whose first step is represented by the synthesis of 6-methylsalicylic acid, obtained from the condensation of one acetyl-CoA molecule with three malonyl-CoA molecules. The most abundant acetyl-CoA precursor is represented by citrate produced by mitochondria. In the present investigation we report about the possibility to control patulin production through the inhibition of mitochondrial/peroxisome transporters involved in the export of acetyl-CoA precursors from mitochondria and/or peroxisomes, with specific reference to the predicted P. expansum mitochondrial Ctp1p, DTC, Sfc1p, Oac1p and peroxisomal PXN carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Tragni
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Pietro Cotugno
- Biology Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna De Grassi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy; BROWSer S.r.l. (https://browser-bioinf.com/) c/o, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Massari
- Biology Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Ronzo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Maria Aresta
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Carlo Zambonin
- Chemistry Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Ippolito
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Ciro Leonardo Pierri
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy; BROWSer S.r.l. (https://browser-bioinf.com/) c/o, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126, Bari, Italy.
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Tragni V, Cotugno P, De Grassi A, Cavalluzzi MM, Mincuzzi A, Lentini G, Sanzani SM, Ippolito A, Pierri CL. Targeting Penicillium expansum GMC Oxidoreductase with High Affinity Small Molecules for Reducing Patulin Production. Biology (Basel) 2020; 10:biology10010021. [PMID: 33396459 PMCID: PMC7824139 DOI: 10.3390/biology10010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary With the urgent necessity of potential treatments for limiting mycotoxin production and postharvest fungal rots, we propose a combined in silico/in vitro/in vivo strategy for the rapid and effective identification of bioactive small molecules, chosen among a chemical library hosting approved drugs and phytochemicals, to be used after harvest. The molecular target of our analysis was the GMC oxidoreductase from Penicillium expansum involved in the biosynthesis of patulin, a mycotoxin that can contaminate many foods, especially fruits and fruit-based products. The employed in silico/in vitro/in vivo assays described in our study proved the effectiveness of our strategy and in particular of two small molecules, 6-hydroxycoumarin (structurally related to umbelliferon, an already characterized patulin synthase inhibitor) and meticrane (an already approved drug) in reducing patulin accumulation. Our findings highly recommend the mentioned ligands to be subjected to further analysis for being used in the next future in place of other more toxic compounds, in postharvest treatments based on dipping or drenching methods. Abstract Flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD) dependent glucose methanol choline oxidoreductase (GMC oxidoreductase) is the terminal key enzyme of the patulin biosynthetic pathway. GMC oxidoreductase catalyzes the oxidative ring closure of (E)-ascladiol to patulin. Currently, no protein involved in the patulin biosynthesis in Penicillium expansum has been experimentally characterized or solved by X-ray diffraction. Consequently, nothing is known about P. expansum GMC oxidoreductase substrate-binding site and mode of action. In the present investigation, a 3D comparative model for P. expansum GMC oxidoreductase has been described. Furthermore, a multistep computational approach was used to identify P. expansum GMC oxidoreductase residues involved in the FAD binding and in substrate recognition. Notably, the obtained 3D comparative model of P. expansum GMC oxidoreductase was used for performing a virtual screening of a chemical/drug library, which allowed to predict new GMC oxidoreductase high affinity ligands to be tested in in vitro/in vivo assays. In vitro assays performed in presence of 6-hydroxycoumarin and meticrane, among the highly affinity predicted binders, confirmed a dose-dependent inhibition (17–81%) of patulin production by 6-hydroxycoumarin (10 µM–1 mM concentration range), whereas the approved drug meticrane inhibited patulin production by 43% already at 10 µM. Furthermore, 6-hydroxycoumarin and meticrane caused a 60 and 41% reduction of patulin production, respectively, in vivo on apples at 100 µg/wound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Tragni
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (V.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Pietro Cotugno
- Biology Department, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Anna De Grassi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- BROWSer S.r.l., c/o Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University “Aldo Moro” of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Cavalluzzi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia—Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.C.); (G.L.)
| | - Annamaria Mincuzzi
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (V.T.); (A.M.)
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia—Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (M.M.C.); (G.L.)
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- CIHEAM Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
- Correspondence: (S.M.S.); (A.I.); ; (C.L.P.); Tel.: +39-0805443614 (C.L.P.); Fax: +39-0805442770 (C.L.P.)
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (V.T.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: (S.M.S.); (A.I.); ; (C.L.P.); Tel.: +39-0805443614 (C.L.P.); Fax: +39-0805442770 (C.L.P.)
| | - Ciro Leonardo Pierri
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- BROWSer S.r.l., c/o Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, Biopharmaceutics, University “Aldo Moro” of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.M.S.); (A.I.); ; (C.L.P.); Tel.: +39-0805443614 (C.L.P.); Fax: +39-0805442770 (C.L.P.)
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Santovito E, Greco D, D'Ascanio V, Sanzani SM, Avantaggiato G. Development of a DNA-based biosensor for the fast and sensitive detection of ochratoxin A in urine. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1133:20-29. [PMID: 32993870 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, a novel DNA-based biosensor is proposed, which is based on paramagnetic microbeads carrying an ochratoxin A (OTA) capture aptamer. A sandwich-like detection complex is linked to the capture aptamer and is able to trigger, in presence of OTA, an isothermal rolling circle amplification (RCA) reaction. This latter generated autocatalytic units with a peroxidase activity (DNAzyme) that, in presence of a proper substrate, gave a blue-coloured product visible by the naked eye. The capture aptamer, blocked onto magnetic beads, allowed the specific capture of OTA in liquid samples. The modified detection aptamer, annealed to a circularized probe, was then used to detect the toxin capture event. Indeed, in the presence of OTA and an isothermal enzyme, the circular DNA was amplified, producing a single-stranded and tandem repeated long homologous copy of its sequence. In the DNA strand, a self-catalytic structure was formed with hemin as the catalytic core, inducing the development of blue colour in the presence of ABTS and hydrogen peroxide. The results showed that the biosensor has high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of OTA, as low as 1.09 × 10-12 ng/mL. Moreover, the proposed biosensor was successfully used for the detection of OTA in naturally contaminated rat urine. Accuracy and repeatability data obtained in recovery experiments were satisfying, being recoveries >95% with relative standard deviations in the range 3.6-15%. For the first time, an aptasensor was successfully applied to detect OTA in biological fluids. It can be used for mycotoxin biomonitoring and assessment of individual exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Santovito
- Istituto di Scienze Delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Donato Greco
- Istituto di Scienze Delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito D'Ascanio
- Istituto di Scienze Delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Avantaggiato
- Istituto di Scienze Delle Produzioni Alimentari (ISPA), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Amendola 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
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Mincuzzi A, Ippolito A, Brighenti V, Marchetti L, Benvenuti S, Ligorio A, Pellati F, Sanzani SM. The Effect of Polyphenols on Pomegranate Fruit Susceptibility to Pilidiella granati Provides Insights into Disease Tolerance Mechanisms. Molecules 2020; 25:E515. [PMID: 31991684 PMCID: PMC7037599 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25030515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pilidiella granati, also known as Coniella granati, is the etiological agent of pomegranate fruit dry rot. This fungal pathogen is also well-known as responsible for both plant collar rot and leaf spot. Because of its aggressiveness and the worldwide diffusion of pomegranate crops, the selection of cultivars less susceptible to this pathogen might represent an interesting preventive control measure. In the present investigation, the role of polyphenols in the susceptibility to P. granati of the two royalties-free pomegranate cultivars Wonderful and Mollar de Elche was compared. Pomegranate fruit were artificially inoculated and lesion diameters were monitored. Furthermore, pathogen DNA was quantified at 12-72 h post-inoculation within fruit rind by a real time PCR assay setup herein, and host total RNA was used in expression assays of genes involved in host-pathogen interaction. Similarly, protein extracts were employed to assess the specific activity of enzymes implicated in defense mechanisms. Pomegranate phenolic compounds were evaluated by HPLC-ESI-MS and MS2. All these data highlighted 'Wonderful' as less susceptible to P. granati than 'Mollar de Elche'. In the first cultivar, the fungal growth seemed controlled by the activation of the phenylpropanoid pathway, the production of ROS, and the alteration of fungal cell wall. Furthermore, antifungal compounds seemed to accumulate in 'Wonderful' fruit following inoculation. These data suggest that pomegranate polyphenols have a protective effect against P. granati infection and their content might represent a relevant parameter in the selection of the most suitable cultivars to reduce the economic losses caused by this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Mincuzzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.I.); (A.L.)
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.I.); (A.L.)
| | - Virginia Brighenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (V.B.); (L.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Lucia Marchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (V.B.); (L.M.); (S.B.)
- Scuola di Dottorato di Ricerca in Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale (CEM), Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Benvenuti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (V.B.); (L.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Angela Ligorio
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.I.); (A.L.)
- Istituto per la Protezione Sostenibile delle Piante (IPSP), Sede Secondaria di Bari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Amendola 122/D, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Pellati
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; (V.B.); (L.M.); (S.B.)
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (A.I.); (A.L.)
- CIHEAM-Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
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Wenderoth M, Garganese F, Schmidt‐Heydt M, Soukup ST, Ippolito A, Sanzani SM, Fischer R. Alternariol as virulence and colonization factor of
Alternaria alternata
during plant infection. Mol Microbiol 2019; 112:131-146. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Wenderoth
- Department of Microbiology Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – South Campus Fritz‐Haber‐Weg 4D‐76131 Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Francesca Garganese
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro Via Amendola 165/A70126 Bari Italy
| | - Markus Schmidt‐Heydt
- Department of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables Max Rubner‐Institut Haid‐und‐Neu‐Str. 976131 Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Sebastian Tobias Soukup
- Department of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables Max Rubner‐Institut Haid‐und‐Neu‐Str. 976131 Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro Via Amendola 165/A70126 Bari Italy
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro Via Amendola 165/A70126 Bari Italy
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Department of Microbiology Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – South Campus Fritz‐Haber‐Weg 4D‐76131 Karlsruhe Germany
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10
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Sanzani SM, Gallone T, Garganese F, Caruso AG, Amenduni M, Ippolito A. Contamination of fresh and dried tomato by Alternaria toxins in southern Italy. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2019; 36:789-799. [PMID: 30943118 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2019.1588998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In the present investigation, fresh and dried tomato samples from markets and packinghouses located in Apulia region (southern Italy) were analysed for Alternaria toxins. All samples proved to be contaminated by tenuazonic acid (TeA); in particular, dried tomatoes were contaminated in the range 425-81,592 µg/kg, while fresh tomatoes were in the range 11-4560 µg/kg. The second most abundant toxin was alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), followed by tentoxin (TEN) and alternariol (AOH). Overall dried tomatoes were more contaminated than fresh ones, although this seemed not directly related to the presence of sodium chloride, utilized in the drying process. Five representative Alternaria isolates within those collected from samples proved to be one Alternaria arborescens (A215) and four Alternaria alternata. Within the latter species, one strain belonged to morphotype tenuissima (A216), and three to alternata (A214, A217 and A218). They were confirmed to produce TeA, AOH, and AME in vitro. This study demonstrates the possible risk for consumers' health related to the consumption of contaminated fresh and dried tomatoes, and thus the need for suitable control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Marianna Sanzani
- a Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti , Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | | | - Francesca Garganese
- a Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti , Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Andrea Giovanni Caruso
- a Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti , Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Mario Amenduni
- a Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti , Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- a Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti , Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
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11
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Ajengui A, Bertolini E, Ligorio A, Chebil S, Ippolito A, Sanzani SM. Comparative transcriptome analysis of two citrus germplasms with contrasting susceptibility to Phytophthora nicotianae provides new insights into tolerance mechanisms. Plant Cell Rep 2018; 37:483-499. [PMID: 29290008 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-017-2244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Host perception of Phytophthora nicotianae switching to necrotrophy is fundamental for disease tolerance of citrus. It involves an HR-like response, strengthening of the cell wall structure and hormonal signaling. Stem rot caused by P. nicotianae is a worldwide disease of several important crops, including citrus. Given the growing awareness of chemical fungicides drawbacks, genetic improvement of citrus rootstocks remains the best alternative. However, the molecular basis underlying the successful response of resistant and/or tolerant genotypes remains poorly understood. Therefore, we performed a transcriptomic analysis to examine the differential defense response to P. nicotianae of two germplasms-tolerant sour orange (SO, Citrus aurantium) and susceptible Madam Vinous (MV, C. sinensis)-in both the biotrophic and necrotrophic phases of host-pathogen interaction. Our results revealed the necrotrophic phase as a decisive turning point, since it included stronger modulation of a number of genes implicated in pathogen perception, signal transduction, HR-like response, transcriptional reprogramming, hormone signaling, and cell wall modifications. In particular, the pathogen perception category reflected the ability of SO to perceive the pathogen even after its switch to necrotrophy, and thus to cope successfully with the infection, while MV failed. The concomitant changes in genes involved in the remaining functional categories seemed to prevent pathogen spread. This investigation provided further understanding of the successful defense mechanisms of C. aurantium against P. nicotianae, which might be exploited in post-genomic strategies to develop resistant Citrus genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arwa Ajengui
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Center of Biotechnology of Borj-Cédria, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
- Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, LR03ES03 Laboratoire Microorganismes et Biomolécules Actives, Université Tunis El Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Edoardo Bertolini
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angela Ligorio
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Samir Chebil
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Center of Biotechnology of Borj-Cédria, 2050, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Via Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
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12
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Garganese F, Schena L, Siciliano I, Prigigallo MI, Spadaro D, De Grassi A, Ippolito A, Sanzani SM. Characterization of Citrus-Associated Alternaria Species in Mediterranean Areas. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163255. [PMID: 27636202 PMCID: PMC5026349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria brown spot is one of the most important diseases of tangerines and their hybrids worldwide. Recently, outbreaks in Mediterranean areas related to susceptible cultivars, refocused attention on the disease. Twenty representatives were selected from a collection of 180 isolates of Alternaria spp. from citrus leaves and fruit. They were characterized along with reference strains of Alternaria spp. Micro- and macroscopic characteristics separated most Alternaria isolates into six morphotypes referable to A. alternata (5) and A. arborescens (1). Phylogenetic analyses, based on endopolygalacturonase (endopg) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS), confirmed this finding. Moreover, a five-gene phylogeny including two anonymous genomics regions (OPA 1-3 and OPA 2-1), and the beta-tubulin gene (ß-tub), produced a further clustering of A. alternata into three clades. This analysis suggested the existence of intra-species molecular variability. Investigated isolates showed different levels of virulence on leaves and fruit. In particular, the pathogenicity on fruit seemed to be correlated with the tissue of isolation and the clade. The toxigenic behavior of Alternaria isolates was also investigated, with tenuazonic acid (TeA) being the most abundant mycotoxin (0.2-20 mg/L). Isolates also synthesized the mycotoxins alternariol (AOH), its derivate alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and altenuene (ALT), although to a lesser extent. AME production significantly varied among the six morphotypes. The expression of pksJ/pksH, biosynthetic genes of AOH/AME, was not correlated with actual toxin production, but it was significantly different between the two genotypes and among the four clades. Finally, ten isolates proved to express the biosynthetic genes of ACTT1 phytotoxin, and thus to be included in the Alternaria pathotype tangerine. A significant correlation between pathogenicity on leaves and ACTT1 gene expression was recorded. The latter was significantly dependent on geographical origin. The widespread occurrence of Alternaria spp. on citrus fruit and their ability to produce mycotoxins might represent a serious concern for producers and consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Garganese
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Schena
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Università Mediterranea, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Ilenia Siciliano
- Centro di Competenza per l'Innovazione in campo agro-ambientale-AGROINNOVA, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | | | - Davide Spadaro
- Centro di Competenza per l'Innovazione in campo agro-ambientale-AGROINNOVA, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Anna De Grassi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, Università degli Studi Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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13
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Sanzani SM, Miazzi MM, di Rienzo V, Fanelli V, Gambacorta G, Taurino MR, Montemurro C. A Rapid Assay to Detect Toxigenic Penicillium spp. Contamination in Wine and Musts. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:E235. [PMID: 27509524 PMCID: PMC4999851 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8080235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Wine and fermenting musts are grape products widely consumed worldwide. Since the presence of mycotoxin-producing fungi may greatly compromise their quality characteristics and safety, there is an increasing need for relatively rapid "user friendly" quantitative assays to detect fungal contamination both in grapes delivered to wineries and in final products. Although other fungi are most frequently involved in grape deterioration, secondary infections by Penicillium spp. are quite common, especially in cool areas with high humidity and in wines obtained by partially dried grapes. In this work, a single-tube nested real-time PCR approach-successfully applied to hazelnut and peanut allergen detection-was tested for the first time to trace Penicillium spp. in musts and wines. The method consisted of two sets of primers specifically designed to target the β-tubulin gene, to be simultaneously applied with the aim of lowering the detection limit of conventional real-time PCR. The assay was able to detect up to 1 fg of Penicillium DNA. As confirmation, patulin content of representative samples was determined. Most of analyzed wines/musts returned contaminated results at >50 ppb and a 76% accordance with molecular assay was observed. Although further large-scale trials are needed, these results encourage the use of the newly developed method in the pre-screening of fresh and processed grapes for the presence of Penicillium DNA before the evaluation of related toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Monica Marilena Miazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Valentina di Rienzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
- Sinagri s.rl. Spin-off, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Valentina Fanelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
- Sinagri s.rl. Spin-off, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Gambacorta
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | | | - Cinzia Montemurro
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
- Sinagri s.rl. Spin-off, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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14
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Sanzani SM, Reverberi M, Fanelli C, Ippolito A. Detection of ochratoxin A using molecular beacons and real-time PCR thermal cycler. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:812-20. [PMID: 25760080 PMCID: PMC4379526 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7030812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We developed a simple and cheap assay for quantitatively detecting ochratoxin A (OTA) in wine. A DNA aptamer available in literature was used as recognition probe in its molecular beacon form, i.e., with a fluorescence-quenching pair at the stem ends. Our aptabeacon could adopt a conformation allowing OTA binding, causing a fluorescence rise due to the increased distance between fluorophore and quencher. We used real-time PCR equipment for capturing the signal. With this assay, under optimized conditions, the entire process can be completed within 1 h. In addition, the proposed system exhibited a good selectivity for OTA against other mycotoxins (ochratoxin B and aflatoxin M1) and limited interference from aflatoxin B1 and patulin. A wide linear detection range (0.2–2000 µM) was achieved, with LOD = 13 nM, r = 0.9952, and R2 = 0.9904. The aptabeacon was also applied to detect OTA in red wine spiked with the same dilution series. A linear correlation with a LOD = 19 nM, r = 0.9843, and R2 = 0.9708 was observed, with recoveries in the range 63%–105%. Intra- and inter-day assays confirmed its reproducibility. The proposed biosensor, although still being finalized, might significantly facilitate the quantitative detection of OTA in wine samples, thus improving their quality control from a food safety perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Marianna Sanzani
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
| | - Massimo Reverberi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Corrado Fanelli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Ippolito
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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15
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Sanzani SM, Montemurro C, Di Rienzo V, Solfrizzo M, Ippolito A. Genetic structure and natural variation associated with host of origin in Penicillium expansum strains causing blue mould. Int J Food Microbiol 2013; 165:111-20. [PMID: 23728428 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Blue mould, caused by Penicillium expansum, is one of the most economically damaging postharvest diseases of pome fruits, although it may affect a wider host range, including sweet cherries and table grapes. Several reports on the role of mycotoxins in plant pathogenesis have been published, but few focussed on the influence of mycotoxins on the variation in host preference amongst producing fungi. In the present study the influence of the host on P. expansum pathogenicity/virulence was investigated, focussing mainly on the relationship with patulin production. Three P. expansum strain groups, originating from apples, sweet cherries, and table grapes (7 strains per host) were grown on their hosts of isolation and on artificial media derived from them. Strains within each P. expansum group proved to be more aggressive and produced more patulin than the other two groups under evaluation when grown on the host from which they originated. Table grape strains were the most aggressive (81% disease incidence) and strongest patulin producers (up to 554μg/g). The difference in aggressiveness amongst strains was appreciable only in the presence of a living host, suggesting that the complex pathogen-host interaction significantly influenced the ability of P. expansum to cause the disease. Incidence/severity of the disease and patulin production proved to be positively correlated, supporting the role of patulin as virulence/pathogenicity factor. The existence of genetic variation amongst isolates was confirmed by the High Resolution Melting method that was set up herein, which permitted discrimination of P. expansum from other species (P. chrysogenum and P. crustosum) and, within the same species, amongst the host of origin. Host effect on toxin production appeared to be exerted at a transcriptional level.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Sanzani
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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16
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Sanzani SM, Reverberi M, Punelli M, Ippolito A, Fanelli C. Study on the role of patulin on pathogenicity and virulence of Penicillium expansum. Int J Food Microbiol 2011; 153:323-31. [PMID: 22189024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2011.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2011] [Revised: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although the antibacterial activity and toxicity to humans and animals of the mycotoxin patulin are well known, its role in the postharvest decay of apples by Penicillium expansum has never been investigated. In the present study the gene disruption technique was used to alter the sequence of 6-methyl-salicylic acid synthase, an enzyme involved in the first committed step of patulin biosynthesis. Thirty-nine mutants were obtained, however only two of them (M5 and M21) passed the sub-cultural and molecular confirmation tests. They proved to produce 33-41% less patulin than their wild-type (WT) strain, although no difference in the growth and morphology of the colony was observed. Moreover, the mutants showed a significantly reduced pathogenicity and virulence on artificially inoculated apples. In particular, a 33-34% and 47-54% reduction of disease incidence and severity were recorded for M5 and M21, respectively. As confirmation, when the biomass of the mutants was quantified in vivo by Real-time PCR, a significant difference was recorded as compared to the WT and even between mutants. Moreover, when patulin production potential of mutants was restored by exogenous application of the mycotoxin, their ability to cause the disease was not significantly different from that of WT. Finally, mutants showed an increased susceptibility to the application of the antioxidant quercetin, their pathogenicity and virulence being significantly reduced at only 1/100 of the concentration needed for the WT. Based on these findings, patulin seems to have a role in the development of blue mold decay on apples.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Sanzani
- Department of Environmental and Agro-Forestry Biology and Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy.
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