The Use of Psychrophilic Antarctic Yeast in the Biological Control of Post-harvest Diseases of Fruits Stored at Low Temperatures

Abstract

The interest in the biotechnological potential of microorganisms belonging to unusual ecological niches, such as Antarctic environments, is little explored. Antarctic microbiology is a recent science, and little is known about the microbial diversity and genetic resources of Antarctica. Fungi present in Antarctica are adapted to the different extreme conditions of the region, including the yeasts that present a great potential for use in agriculture as biocontrol. Yeasts may have a high potential for controlling post-harvest diseases, especially those that develop during storage in cold rooms, a strategy that has not been explored much. Yeasts adapted to cold environments can, therefore, be identified and used as biological control agents for the management of post-harvest diseases. As refrigeration is still the main method for preserving and prolonging the shelf-life of fresh food, Antarctic yeasts are promising candidates for use as biological control agents.