Pretreatment of the Antagonistic Yeast, Debaryomyces hansenii, With Mannitol and Sorbitol Improves Stress Tolerance and Biocontrol Efficacy

Abstract

The effect of exogenous mannitol and sorbitol on the viability of the antagonist yeast, Debaryomyces hansenii, when exposed to oxidative and high-temperature stress was determined. Results indicated that both the 0.1 M mannitol (MT) and 0.1 M sorbitol (ST) treatments improved the tolerance of D. hansenii to subsequent oxidative and hightemperature stress. MT or ST cells had a significantly higher level of cell survival, elevated the gene expression of catalase 1 (CAT1) and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), as well as the corresponding enzyme activity. Treated cells also exhibited a lower accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and a higher content of intracellular mannitol and sorbitol relative to non-treated, control yeast cells, when exposed to a subsequent oxidative (30 mM H 2 O 2 ) or heat (40.5 • C) stress for 30 min. Additionally, MT and ST yeast exhibited a higher growth rate in kiwifruit wounds, and a greater ability to inhibit postharvest blue mold (Penicillium expansum) and gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) infections. The present study indicates that increased antioxidant response induced by mannitol and sorbitol in D. hansenii can enhance stress tolerance and biocontrol performance.

From Glaciers to Refrigerators: the Population Genomics and Biocontrol Potential of the Black Yeast Aureobasidium subglaciale

“…Transgenic apples with decreased sorbitol levels are more susceptible to infections with Alternaria alternata , with exogenous application of sorbitol partially restoring resistance ( 39 ). Furthermore, it was recently published that sorbitol treatment of a biocontrol yeast, Debarymyces hansenii , improved its ability to inhibit P. expansum and B. cinerea infections ( 40 ). Here, we confirm a high tolerance of A. subglaciale to sorbitol: all tested strains grew at concentrations above 18%.…”

Advances in Postharvest Diseases Management of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review

“…TFs activate the downstream defense-related genes, glutathione S-transferase genes, and genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis to increase disease resistance [78]. Pretreatment Debaryomyces hansenii yeast with mannitol and sorbitol [112] or mild stress [113] improved biocontrol efficiency by increasing the expression of antioxidant genes, such as CAT and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). Palmieri et al (2022) observed the antagonistic activity of Papiliotrema terrestris yeast against Monilinia fructigen of plum fruit [114].…”

Biocontrol activity of Debaryomyces hansenii against blue mold on apple and pear during cold storage

“…D. hansenii is characterized at species level by its tolerance to extreme conditions, such as low pH, high osmotic pressure, oxidative stress and low temperature (20) . These characteristics make D. hansenii a good candidate to survive and proliferate in fruit wounds under packinghouse conditions where a variety of abiotic stresses, such as oxidative stress, lack of nutrients, low temperature and adverse pH, could limit microbial growth (21) .…”