Unravelling the fruit microbiome: The key for developing effective biological control strategies for postharvest diseases

Abstract

Fruit-based diets are recognized for their benefits to human health. The safety of fruit is a global concern for scientists. Fruit microbiome represents the whole microorganisms that are associated with a fruit. These microbes are either found on the surfaces (epiphytes) or in the tissues of the fruit (endophytes). The recent knowledge gained from these microbial communities is considered relevant to the field of biological control in prevention of postharvest fruit pathology. In this study, the importance of the microbiome of certain fruits and how it holds promise for solving the problems inherent in biocontrol and postharvest crop protection are summarized. Research needs on the fruit microbiome are highlighted. Data from DNA sequencing and "meta-omics" technologies very recently applied to the study of microbial communities of fruits in the postharvest context are also discussed. Various fruit parameters, management practices, and environmental conditions are the main determinants of the microbiome. Microbial communities can be classified according to their structure and function in fruit tissues. A critical mechanism of microbial biological control agents is to reshape and interact with the microbiome of the fruit. The ability to control the microbiome of any fruit is a great potential in postharvest management of fruits. Research on the fruit microbiome offers important opportunities to develop postharvest biocontrol strategies and products, as well as the health profile of the fruit.

In Vitro Antagonistic Effects of Some Bacillus Spp. On the Growth and Mycotoxin Production of Toxigenic Aspergilli

“…In the view of the above context, there is a growing interest in the use of biological agents as preservatives in the field, processing, and postharvest handling has achieved the attention of the scientific community because they offer the best alternative to control fungi in food. The use of antagonist microorganisms or their secondary metabolites has proven to be safe and effective in the biological control of growth inhibition of many fungal pathogens (Ramos-Pereira et al, 2021; Zhang et al, 2021). The bacterial genus Bacillus is a promising candidate for a fungal antagonist in the sphere of bioprotection and bioconservation of food (Nath et al, 2015).…”

Changes in the Fungal Community Assembly of Apple Fruit Following Postharvest Application of the Yeast Biocontrol Agent Metschnikowia fructicola

“…Microorganisms represent an important component of fruit and their presence as epiphytic and endophytic communities has been documented in the literature [1][2][3][4][5]. However, their function in determining fruit quality and its susceptibility or tolerance to the development of postharvest fruit decay pathogens remains largely unexplored [2,3].…”

“…Microorganisms represent an important component of fruit and their presence as epiphytic and endophytic communities has been documented in the literature [1][2][3][4][5]. However, their function in determining fruit quality and its susceptibility or tolerance to the development of postharvest fruit decay pathogens remains largely unexplored [2,3]. In this regard, high-throughput sequencing technologies are now allowing us to investigate the complexity of the composition and dynamics of microbial communities in different plant tissues and better understand their functions and interactions within the communities and with the host plant.…”

“…The host-microbiome interactions could be deleterious and result in the infection and establishment of postharvest pathogens, resulting in subsequent crop losses, which is a primary concern of fruit producers and exporters. Proper management practices for the control of postharvest pathogens are considered to be a cornerstone of profitable fresh fruit and vegetable production and supply chain systems [1][2][3][4]. Suggested options for postharvest treatments include physical-, chemical-, and biological-based treatments [6].…”

“…Numerous studies that have investigated the structure and composition of the microbiome on several fruit species have focused on shifts in the microbiome due to management practices, phenological stages, and their spatial distribution on the fruit itself [2,3]. Investigations of the assembly and dynamics of the fruit surface microbiome in apple following interventions such as application of biocontrol agents have not been previously reported.…”