Synergistic effect of Lentinula edodes and Pichia membranefaciens on inhibition of Penicillium expansum infections

The feasibility of using a lyophilized culture filtrate (LCF) from Lentinula edodes at different concentrations to improve the efficacy of Pichia membranefaciens in controlling postharvest blue mold decay in apple fruit was investigated. Application of LCF alone was effective in inhibiting the blue mold rot in apple fruit wounds in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the biocontrol activity of P. membranefaciens against blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum in apple fruit could be enhanced by addition of LCF. The combination of P. membranefaciens and LCF resulted in a more effective control than individual treatment of P. membranefaciens or LCF alone. The combined treatment induced higher phenolic accumulation and the upregulation of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities in fruit than LCF or yeast alone, and resulted in a lower lesion diameter and disease incidence. The use of LCF may be an effective method to improve the biological activity of P. membranefaciens, and induced host defenses appear to contribute to the control mechanism of P. membranefaciens and LCF.

► Lentinula edodes culture filtrate enhanced the control efficacy of Pichia membranefaciens on blue mold of apple fruit.
► L. edodes culture filtrate inhibited spore germination of Penicillium expansum in vitro.
► L. edodes culture filtrate enhanced the growth of R. mucilaginosa in NYDB media and apple wounds.
► L. edodes culture filtrate induced phenol synthesis and chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, SOD, CAT and APX activity.