Location: Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research
Project Number: 2030-42000-039-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 30, 2014
End Date: Sep 29, 2019
Objective:
Test the potential of newly discovered Aspergillus flavus strains (with deletion in aflatoxin biosynthetic genes) for control of toxigenic A. flavus; Test new yeast strains for beneficial application in pistachio; analyze A. flavus populations in orchard soil. Explore the potential of antibiotic films to prevent fungal growth in stored fruits and nuts.
Approach:
Newly discovered atoxigenic strains will be tested for their potential to displace toxigenic A. flavus in soils. The research will be done initially in the lab using soils planted with pistachio trees to screen and select effective strains. Formulation will be developed for field evaluation. Yeast biocontrol experiments will be conducted in field environments using Kerman pistachio. Aspergillus flavus will be isolated from tree nut orchard soils and characterized for levels of aflatoxin production. Antimicrobial films is a new research area with considerable potential to prevent fungal growth in both stored fresh fruits and nuts. It is expected that methodologies for application will be developed. Access to the University of California Davis (UC Davis) postharvest facilities will be arranged to evaluate efficacy.
