Mycobiota of berry fruits – levels of filamentous fungi and mycotoxins, composition of fungi, and analysis of potential health risk for consumers

Abstract

Introduction and Objective.The aim of the study was to determine the presence, concentration and generic composition of filamentous fungi. Selected mycotoxins were also determined: total aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol. Materials and method. In 2017-2018, 40 samples of strawberry fruits and 40 samples of red raspberry fruits were collected. In 2019-2020, 37 samples of fresh strawberry fruits and 41 samples of fresh red raspberry fruits were collected on conventional farms located in eastern Poland and were subjected to mycological examination. The concentration and species composition of filamentous fungi were determined by the method of plate dilutions on malt agar. The isolated strains were identified using macroscopic and microscopic methods. Samples were also analysed for the presence of aflatoxin B1, total aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol using ELISA tests. Results. The median concentrations of fungi were moderate or low: 3.079 and 3.491 log 10 CFU g -1 for strawberries and raspberries, respectively. Fungi of the genus Cladosporium prevailed in the mycobiota of berry fruits, accounting for 84.3% of total isolates in raspberries and 34.8% in strawberries. The occurrence of total aflatoxins was detected in the majority of tested samples (73.2% in raspberries and 70.3% in strawberries) but never exceeded the level of 4.0 µg kg -1 assumed as safe. Deoxynivalenol has been detected only in raspberries with the prevalence of 58.5%. Its median concentration was 242.0 µg kg -1 and in 7 out of 41 samples (17.0%) exceeded the level of 750.0 µg kg -1 , assumed as safe. Conclusions. Filamentous fungi and mycotoxins occurred in the examined berries at levels that mostly do not represent a health risk for immunocompetent people, but might pose such risk for immuno-compromised and/or atopic consumers.

Mycotoxin contamination of fresh berries and fruits marketed in the central region of Russia

“…We should note that one of 40 analyzed strawberry samples contained 13 MTs including AFL В1 and ОТА (6.55 µg/kg, which was higher than the hygienic standard established for OTA in other types of plant products) as well as several fusariotoxins including DON and FВ1+FВ2 (98.09 µg/kg and 66.00 µg/kg accordingly), MPA and CIT (in trace quantities). AFL contamination in strawberries was also reported by T. Klapec et al, 2022, who identified several AFL (except AFL В1) in 70 % of the analyzed samples; the maximum contamination level reached 3.185 µg/kg [19].…”

Can Chitosan Applications in Pre- and Post-Harvest Affect the Quality and Antioxidant Contents of Red Raspberries?

“…Moreover, microscopic observations carried out on the fruit that showed decay revealed the presence of different fungal genera such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, Botrytis, Epicoccum, Colletotrichum, Mucor, and Penicillium. Some of these genera included many mycotoxigenic species, as reported elsewhere [62], and, for this reason, post-harvest treatment with chitosan is important to reduce the fungal inoculum present on the raspberry fruit.…”

Post-harvest Biotechnology or Genetic Engineering Solutions: Extending Shelf Life and Reducing Food Waste

“…A mutant collection of 3800 M2 families was produced using MUC-16 as the WT and EMS as the mutant agent. According to consistent mutant phenotyping, mutations that affected ET sensitivity impacted seedling germination, sex determination, sex expression parthenocarpy, and fruit set [121]. ET affects zucchini sensitivity to chilling damage (CI), with more resistant varieties producing less ET when exposed to low temperatures.…”