The antagonistic effects of Candida parapsilosis on the growth of Fusarium species and fumonisin production

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Fusarium species are avid producers of secondary toxic and carcinogenic metabolites such as fumonisin. Contamination of food and feed products with fumonisin can be hazardous to the health of humans and animals and may lead to agricultural loss. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Candida parapsilosis on the growth and fumonisin production of Fusarium species. Materials and Methods:Mycelial growth rate of 26 Fusarium isolates, including F. verticillioides (n=6), F. proliferatum (n=18), F. solani (n=1), and F. oxysporum (n=1), in the presence of 42 C. parapsilosis strains was investigated by pour-plate method. The decline in fumonisin production was measured in co-cultured fungi in coarsely ground maize after four weeks of incubation in the dark at 22°C, using ELISA technique. For data analysis, paired t-test was performed, using SPSS version 20. Results:The mycelial growth and fumonisin production of Fusarium isolates significantly decreased in the presence of C. parapsilosis in comparison with the control cultures (P<0.05). The percentage of mycelial growth inhibition ranged from 56.36% to 74.54%. The minimum and maximum decline in total fumonisin production was 12% and 78%, respectively. F. oxysporum and F. solani were found to be minor fumonisin producers among the studied Fusarium species. On the other hand, a decline was reported in the growth of Fusarium species and fumonisin production in the presence of C. parapsilosis. Conclusion: C. parapsilosis showed notable inhibitory activities against Fusarium isolates. Therefore, this fungal species could be considered as a biocontrol agent against the growth and fumonisin production of toxigenic Fusarium species in the future.

In vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Clinical and Environmental Fusarium Isolates in Iran

“…The cause of the damaging effect of their presence as food contaminants is their production of highly toxic secondary metabolites (8,10). In addition, Fusarium species cause a very wide spectrum of diseases in humans, ranging from superficial infections to disseminated infections with high morbidity and mortality rates (4).…”

“…In addition, some species can produce mycotoxins such as zearalenone and fumonisin which have been shown to be associated with diseases in humans (8). Moreover, Fusarium species as plant pathogens cause diseases in agricultural products which result in significant economic loss (9).…”

Metabolism, Toxicity, Detoxification, Occurrence, Intake and Legislations of Fumonisins - A Review

“…Candida parapsilosis could inhibit mycelial growth of Fusarium species from 74.54% and 56.36%, and the maximum and minimum decrease in total created fumonisin was 78% and 12%, respectively [167]. Therefore, we can remove 17 to 85 % of Fumonisins through the biological process, and Lactobacillus known as the most effective strains for detoxification of Fumonisins.…”

Postharvest Treatments with Three Yeast Strains and Their Combinations to Control Botrytis cinerea of Snap Beans

“…Although C. parapsilosis has pathogenic potential and developed antifungal resistance, it has been reported as a biocontrol agent. C. parapsilosis showed notable inhibitory activities against Fusarium isolates (which are active producers of secondary toxic and carcinogenic metabolites such as fumonisin) and Aspergillus species [65,66]. Contamination of food and feed products with fumonisin and aflatoxin can endanger the health of humans and animals, and lead to agricultural loss.…”

“…Contamination of food and feed products with fumonisin and aflatoxin can endanger the health of humans and animals, and lead to agricultural loss. Therefore, C. parapsilosis could be considered as a biocontrol agent against the growth and fumonisin production of toxigenic Fusarium species and aflatoxin production by aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species [65,66].…”