Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry

The rejection of chemical preservatives reflects the growing demand for natural and safe products. This concern has spurred scientific interest in yeasts as biocontrol agents, given their antagonistic activity against undesired fungi, which is one of the main problems associated with preservative re...

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Main Authors: Helena Chacón-Navarrete, Ignacio García-Álvarez de Toledo, José Ramos, Francisco Javier Ruiz-Castilla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Fungi
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/242
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author Helena Chacón-Navarrete
Ignacio García-Álvarez de Toledo
José Ramos
Francisco Javier Ruiz-Castilla
author_facet Helena Chacón-Navarrete
Ignacio García-Álvarez de Toledo
José Ramos
Francisco Javier Ruiz-Castilla
author_sort Helena Chacón-Navarrete
collection DOAJ
description The rejection of chemical preservatives reflects the growing demand for natural and safe products. This concern has spurred scientific interest in yeasts as biocontrol agents, given their antagonistic activity against undesired fungi, which is one of the main problems associated with preservative reduction. <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> is a non-conventional yeast that has shown great potential for inhibiting filamentous fungi in the food industry. This study investigated the role of nutrient competition in the biocontrol activity of <i>D. hansenii</i> against unwanted molds. Potentially pathogenic molds from spoiled food were isolated using different media and identified using Sanger sequencing. The inhibitory effects of different autochthonous <i>D. hansenii</i> strains under varying nutrient conditions were assessed against isolated molds using semipermeable membranes. Inhibition activity was measured by assessing mycelial expansion and spore production using image software analysis and classical cell counting using a Neubauer chamber. The results indicated that <i>D. hansenii</i> effectively inhibited mold growth and sporulation, with the autochthonous strains LR2 and SRF1 showing higher inhibitory activity than the control strain CBS767. The effectiveness of inhibition varied with the yeast–mold combination, highlighting the need for a species-specific analysis. Nutrient competition plays a complementary role in <i>D. hansenii</i> biocontrol but does not directly impact overall inhibition. This suggests that other mechanisms, such as direct cell interactions or metabolite production, may be crucial. These findings enhance our understanding of the potential of <i>D. hansenii</i> as a natural preservative and advance biocontrol methods for food safety.
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spelling doaj-art-b6d6e43be7ca475f8fdc29f45b8041522025-08-20T02:28:15ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-03-0111424210.3390/jof11040242Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat IndustryHelena Chacón-Navarrete0Ignacio García-Álvarez de Toledo1José Ramos2Francisco Javier Ruiz-Castilla3Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Edaphology and Microbiology, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Agricultural Chemistry, Edaphology and Microbiology, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Agricultural Chemistry, Edaphology and Microbiology, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Agricultural Chemistry, Edaphology and Microbiology, University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14014 Córdoba, SpainThe rejection of chemical preservatives reflects the growing demand for natural and safe products. This concern has spurred scientific interest in yeasts as biocontrol agents, given their antagonistic activity against undesired fungi, which is one of the main problems associated with preservative reduction. <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> is a non-conventional yeast that has shown great potential for inhibiting filamentous fungi in the food industry. This study investigated the role of nutrient competition in the biocontrol activity of <i>D. hansenii</i> against unwanted molds. Potentially pathogenic molds from spoiled food were isolated using different media and identified using Sanger sequencing. The inhibitory effects of different autochthonous <i>D. hansenii</i> strains under varying nutrient conditions were assessed against isolated molds using semipermeable membranes. Inhibition activity was measured by assessing mycelial expansion and spore production using image software analysis and classical cell counting using a Neubauer chamber. The results indicated that <i>D. hansenii</i> effectively inhibited mold growth and sporulation, with the autochthonous strains LR2 and SRF1 showing higher inhibitory activity than the control strain CBS767. The effectiveness of inhibition varied with the yeast–mold combination, highlighting the need for a species-specific analysis. Nutrient competition plays a complementary role in <i>D. hansenii</i> biocontrol but does not directly impact overall inhibition. This suggests that other mechanisms, such as direct cell interactions or metabolite production, may be crucial. These findings enhance our understanding of the potential of <i>D. hansenii</i> as a natural preservative and advance biocontrol methods for food safety.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/242<i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i>biocontrolnutrient competitionmoldsfood safety
spellingShingle Helena Chacón-Navarrete
Ignacio García-Álvarez de Toledo
José Ramos
Francisco Javier Ruiz-Castilla
Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry
Journal of Fungi
<i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i>
biocontrol
nutrient competition
molds
food safety
title Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry
title_full Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry
title_fullStr Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry
title_short Evaluating the Role of Nutrient Competition in <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i> Biocontrol Activity Against Spoilage Molds in the Meat Industry
title_sort evaluating the role of nutrient competition in i debaryomyces hansenii i biocontrol activity against spoilage molds in the meat industry
topic <i>Debaryomyces hansenii</i>
biocontrol
nutrient competition
molds
food safety
url https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/4/242
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