New Isolated Metschnikowia pulcherrima Strains from Apples for Postharvest Biocontrol of Penicillium expansum and Patulin Accumulation.

Wild yeasts isolated from the surface of apples were screened for antagonistic activity against Penicillium expansum, the main producer of the mycotoxin patulin. Three antagonistic yeasts (Y33, Y29 and Y24) from a total of 90 were found to inhibit P. expansum growth. Identification by ITS region sequence and characterization showed that three selected isolates of yeast should be different strains of Metschnikowia pulcherrima. Several concentrations of the selected yeasts were used to study their in vitro antifungal effectivity against P. expansum on Petri dishes (plates with 63.6 cm2 surface) whereas their potential activity on patulin reduction was studied in liquid medium. Finally, the BCA that had the best in vitro antifungal capacity against P. and the best patulin degradation capacity was selected to be assessed directly on apples. All the selected strains demonstrated antifungal activity in vitro but the most efficient was the strain Y29. Isolated strains were able to reduce patulin content in liquid medium, Y29 being the only strain that completely reduced patulin levels within 120 h. The application of Y29 as biocontrol agent on the surface of apples inoculated with P. expansum, inhibited fungal growth and patulin production during storage. Therefore, the results shown that this yeast strain could be used for the reduction of P. expansum and its mycotoxin in apples or apple-based products by adapting the procedure application.

Development of Biodegradable Films Loaded with Phages with Antilisterial Properties.

The inhibitory and bactericidal capacity of Listex P100 bacteriophage has been studied against different concentrations of Listeria monocytogenes in stationary and exponential phases. Three different matrices were employed to developed films incorporating Listex P100: (1) sodium caseinate, (2) sodium alginate mixed with gelatin, and (3) polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). All the films were successfully developed by casting at room temperature. These active biodegradable films were optical, structural, and thermally characterized, and their antimicrobial capacities against L. monocytogenes were studied. The incorporation of phages did not affect the morphology, colour, opacity, and thermal stability of polymers. The antimicrobial analysis revealed the bacteriophage presented a high antimicrobial capacity against L. monocytogenes in the stationary phase (4.40 and 6.19 log reduction values or bactericide effect depending on the initial inoculum of the pathogen). Developed films showed antimicrobial capacity close to 1 log after 24 h of incubation at 30 °C. The effectiveness of PVOH films was greater under refrigeration conditions, reaching 2 log reduction after eight days of incubation. The use of these films as a coating in a food or as part of a packaging could improve food safety against the growth of pathogenic microorganisms such as Listeria monocytogenes.

Broadening the antimicrobial spectrum of nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis to Gram-negative bacteria by means of active packaging.

Cast films obtained from polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) blended with casein hydrolysates (HCas) in a weight ratio of 1:1 were employed to carry nisin-producing L. lactis and phytic acid in order to broaden the antimicrobial spectrum of L. lactis to Gram-positive and Gram-negative spoilage and pathogen bacteria. For this purpose, the effect of the antimicrobial activity of various film formulations and combinations of films on the growth of E. coli at 37 °C for 24 h was studied. The film system that showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria consisted of phytic acid and L. lactis incorporated in separate films. When the active agents were in the same film the viability of L. lactis decreased considerably and it did not exert antimicrobial activity against the bacterium. Therefore, the combination of L. lactis and phytic acid in separate films was chosen as the reliable system, and the effect of its activity on the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes) in liquid culture medium was tested at refrigeration temperature (4 °C), and with simulated breaks in the cold chain (14 °C and 24 °C). The survival of L. lactis in coexistence with these bacteria was also studied. The film system exerted an antimicrobial effect against the Gram-negative bacteria tested, and the activity depended on the bacteria and the temperature assayed. With regard to the antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, phytic acid improved the antimicrobial capacity of L.lactis. The survival of L. lactis was maintained at 7-8 log (CFU/mL) culture in liquid medium throughout the storage period. The films developed were intended to be used as coatings in the design of a double-sided active bag for a non-fermented dairy product. The bags were filled with homemade preservative-free pastry cream, and the microbiological shelf life and evolution of pH of the packaged ready-to-eat food stored at 4 °C was studied for 20 days. The results showed a reduction in the growth of spoilage bacteria and therefore an increase in the shelf life of the packaged product. The films developed could be applied in the design of packages for perishable dairy foods in order to increase their microbiological shelf life.

PVOH/protein blend films embedded with lactic acid bacteria and their antilisterial activity in pasteurized milk.

PVOH-based polymer matrices in the form of films were evaluated as carriers of living Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis. These lactic acid bacteria are capable of producing nisin, which is an effective antilisterial peptide. A low percentage (1:0.125 w/w) of yeast extract, gelatin, sodium caseinate, gelatin, or casein hydrolysates was incorporated in PVOH matrices with the aim of increasing the viability of bacteria in the film. The films were obtained by casting after incorporating L. lactis. Then they were evaluated for antilisterial activity in liquid medium at 37 °C for 24 h, and also at 4 °C for 21 days in order to simulate the storage of liquid foods in refrigeration conditions. The survival of the lactic acid bacteria was also evaluated at both temperatures during the experiment. L. lactis remained viable in all the films tested at 37 and 4 °C. The antimicrobial activity of the films was greater at 4 °C than at 37 °C. With regard to the effect of the film composition, the activity of the films was higher when protein hydrolysates and sodium caseinate were incorporated in the formulation. Films supplemented with protein hydrolysates or sodium caseinate inhibited growth of the pathogen during the 21 days of storage at 4 °C. At 37 °C, after 24 h the films had slowed the growth of the inoculated pathogen by between 2 and 4 log CFU/mL. Finally, as the films developed are intended to be used in the design of active packaging of foods, they were tested in pasteurized milk inoculated with 4 log CFU/mL of Listeria monocytogenes and stored at 4 °C for 21 days. The pathogen began to grow after the second day of storage with or without film, but when the films were added to the medium the growth of the pathogen was slowed down, without reaching >6 log CFU, whereas the control reached a maximum growth of 8.5 log CFU. The pH of the milk was monitored throughout the experiment, and it decreased with time. This was due to the generation of organic acids by the lactic bacteria. Buffering the food stabilized the pH without modifying the activity of the films. Thus, the current study shows that PVOH films supplemented with nutrients can act as carriers of L. lactis, and they can help to increase the safety of refrigerated dairy beverages and sauces.