The science, development, and commercialization of postharvest biocontrol products

Abstract

A B S T R A C TPostharvest biological control agents as a viable alternative to the use of synthetic chemicals have been the focus of considerable research for the last 30 years by many scientists and several commercial companies worldwide. Several antagonists of postharvest pathogens have been identified and tested in laboratory, semi-commercial, and commercial settings and were developed into commercial products. The discovery and development of these antagonists into a product followed a paradigm in which a single antagonist isolated from one commodity was also expected to be effective on other commodities that vary in their genetic background, physiology, postharvest handling, and susceptibility to pathogens. In most cases, product development was successfully achieved but their full commercial potential was not realized. The low success rate of postharvest biocontrol products has been attributed to several problems, including difficulties in mass production and formulation of the antagonist, the physiological status of the harvested commodity and its susceptibility to specific pathogens. All these factors played a major role in the reduced and inconsistent performance of the biocontrol product when used under commercial conditions. Although many studies have been conducted on the mode of action of postharvest microbial antagonists, our understanding is still very incomplete. In this regard, a systems approach, that takes into account all the components of the biocontrol system, may represent the best approach to investigating the network of interactions that exist. Very little is known about the overall diversity and composition of microbial communities on harvested produce and how these communities vary across produce types, their function, the factors that influence the composition of the microbiota after harvest and during storage, and the distribution of individual taxa. In light of the progress made in recent years in metagenomic technologies, this technology should be used to characterize the composition of microbial communities on fruit and vegetables. Information on the dynamics and diversity of microbiota may be useful to developing a new paradigm in postharvest biocontrol that is based on constructing synthetic microbial communities that provide superior control of pathogens.

Exogenous trehalose enhanced the biocontrol efficacy of Hanseniaspora uvarum against grape berry rots caused by Aspergillus tubingensis and Penicillium commune

“…The high population dynamics exhibited by the H. uvarum that was pre‐treated with 2% w/v trehalose shows its ability to survive and colonize the host tissues. The rapid increase of the H. uvarum pre‐treated with 2% w/v trehalose is an advantage in biocontrol activity against pathogenic infection . This may explain the reason why there were significant differences between the treatments in terms of their biocontrol efficacies.…”

“…Despite the efforts being made to prolong the shelf‐life of grapes, there is a challenge in the worldwide usage of chemicals to control pre‐ and postharvest diseases due to the hazards they pose to the environment and human life . The use of natural microbial antagonists to control postharvest diseases has consequently attracted widespread interest, particularly due to their health benefits and environmental safety . In view of this, yeast species have been observed to play a key role in biocontrol activities .…”

A multifaceted approach to harness probiotics as antagonists on plant based foods, for enhanced benefits to be reaped at a global level

“…It is clear that after the year 2007 the number of randomized controlled trials carried out reduced but the total number of publications has grown steadily, which indicates stagnation in research despite steadily growing interest. With regard to postharvest biocontrol, there is also concern about the rate at which laboratory‐level research moves towards application . This paper highlights issues that need to be addressed in laying a firm foundation for the quest for probiotic antagonists by looking at how research on each discipline (probiotics and biocontrol) has progressed.…”

Dry formulations of the biocontrol agent Candida sakeCPA‐1 using fluidised bed drying to control the main postharvest diseases on fruits

“…Despite research advancements, the acceptance and widespread use of postharvest biocontrol products is still limited, probably because of their shortcomings when applied commercially . Therefore, an improvement of handling of BCAs under commercial conditions is necessary, and one way to achieve this goal is to produce a formulation that is easy to package, store and transport, that has a long shelf life and that retains its efficacy.…”