Antibiotic production of the biocontrol agents Epicoccum nigrum and Candida sake

Abstract

In the framework of the study of the mode of action of biocontrol agents (BCAs) it is important to know if BCAs are antibiotic-producers. Epicoccum nigrum 282 and Candida sake CPA-1 are BCAs effective against post-harvest pathogens of stone and pome fruits. The antibiotics produced by these BCAs and the relationship to biocontrol were studied. Production of antibiotics by E. nigrum in in vitro cultures began at 5 days of incubation being maximal at different times depending on media used. However, no antibiotic was detected when E. nigrum was grown in a solid state-fermentation system or in peaches. In the case of C. sake, no antibiotic was detected either in vitro, in liquid fermentation cultures of the yeast, or in apples.