Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>

This study reports, for the first time, the successful application of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) coatings on electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) materials for the immobilization of non-conventional yeast strains with fungal biocontrol potential. The coati...

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Main Authors: Petya Tsekova, Mariana Petkova, Mariya Spasova, Olya Stoilova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1541
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author Petya Tsekova
Mariana Petkova
Mariya Spasova
Olya Stoilova
author_facet Petya Tsekova
Mariana Petkova
Mariya Spasova
Olya Stoilova
author_sort Petya Tsekova
collection DOAJ
description This study reports, for the first time, the successful application of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) coatings on electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) materials for the immobilization of non-conventional yeast strains with fungal biocontrol potential. The coatings enhanced the surface wettability of PHB fibers, facilitating efficient yeast adhesion and viability maintenance. Among the tested strains, <i>Pichia acaciae</i> YD6 was newly isolated and characterized, while <i>Pichia fermentans</i> YP6 and <i>Zygosaccharomyces bailii</i> YE1 had previously been identified as endophytic colonizers. All three strains demonstrated high adaptability, efficient immobilization, and antagonistic activity, confirming their potential for biocontrol applications. COS-coated PHB fibers promoted greater colony expansion than those coated with HEC. Antifungal assays of the yeast-containing biocarriers showed significant inhibition of <i>F. graminearum</i> growth. These findings underscore the potential of PHB-based fibrous materials as sustainable, bioactive carriers for yeast immobilization, with desirable biological properties. This approach offers a promising and eco-friendly strategy for pest control and bioactive agent delivery in agricultural applications.
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spelling doaj-art-bbc402d969614e9ea67eb6a0f81a96072025-08-20T02:48:16ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-06-01157154110.3390/agronomy15071541Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>Petya Tsekova0Mariana Petkova1Mariya Spasova2Olya Stoilova3Laboratory of Bioactive Polymers, Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Akad. G. Bonchev St., bl. 103A, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaDepartment of Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Plant Protection and Agroecology, Agricultural University Plovdiv, 12 Mendeleev Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, BulgariaLaboratory of Bioactive Polymers, Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Akad. G. Bonchev St., bl. 103A, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaLaboratory of Bioactive Polymers, Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Akad. G. Bonchev St., bl. 103A, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaThis study reports, for the first time, the successful application of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) coatings on electrospun poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) materials for the immobilization of non-conventional yeast strains with fungal biocontrol potential. The coatings enhanced the surface wettability of PHB fibers, facilitating efficient yeast adhesion and viability maintenance. Among the tested strains, <i>Pichia acaciae</i> YD6 was newly isolated and characterized, while <i>Pichia fermentans</i> YP6 and <i>Zygosaccharomyces bailii</i> YE1 had previously been identified as endophytic colonizers. All three strains demonstrated high adaptability, efficient immobilization, and antagonistic activity, confirming their potential for biocontrol applications. COS-coated PHB fibers promoted greater colony expansion than those coated with HEC. Antifungal assays of the yeast-containing biocarriers showed significant inhibition of <i>F. graminearum</i> growth. These findings underscore the potential of PHB-based fibrous materials as sustainable, bioactive carriers for yeast immobilization, with desirable biological properties. This approach offers a promising and eco-friendly strategy for pest control and bioactive agent delivery in agricultural applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1541electrospinningyeast-based bioagentpoly(3-hydroxybutyrate)chitosan oligosaccharidehydroxyethyl cellulosedip-coating
spellingShingle Petya Tsekova
Mariana Petkova
Mariya Spasova
Olya Stoilova
Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>
Agronomy
electrospinning
yeast-based bioagent
poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)
chitosan oligosaccharide
hydroxyethyl cellulose
dip-coating
title Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>
title_full Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>
title_fullStr Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>
title_full_unstemmed Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>
title_short Electrospun Biocarriers with Immobilized Yeasts for Eco-Friendly Biocontrol of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>
title_sort electrospun biocarriers with immobilized yeasts for eco friendly biocontrol of i fusarium graminearum i
topic electrospinning
yeast-based bioagent
poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)
chitosan oligosaccharide
hydroxyethyl cellulose
dip-coating
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/7/1541
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AT mariyaspasova electrospunbiocarrierswithimmobilizedyeastsforecofriendlybiocontrolofifusariumgraminearumi
AT olyastoilova electrospunbiocarrierswithimmobilizedyeastsforecofriendlybiocontrolofifusariumgraminearumi