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This study delved into the evolution of fungal population during the fermentation of Spanish-style green table olives (Manzanilla cultivar), determining the influence of different factors such as fermentation matrix (brine or fruit) or the use of a lactic acid bacteria inoculum, on its distribution. The samples (n = 24) were directly obtained from industrial fermentation vessels with approximately 10.000 kg of fruits and 6.000 L of brines. Our findings showcased a synchronized uptick in lactic acid bacteria counts alongside fungi proliferation. Metataxonomic analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region unearthed noteworthy disparities across different fermentation time points (0, 24, and 83 days). Statistical analysis pinpointed two Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASV), Candida and Aureobasidium, as accountable for the observed variances among the different fermentation time samples. Notably, Candida exhibited a marked increase during 83 days of fermentation, opposite to Aureobasidium , which demonstrated a decline. Fungal biodiversity was slightly higher in brines than in fruits, whilst no effect of inoculation was noticed. At the onset of fermentation, prominently detected genera were also Mycosphaerella (19.82 %) and Apohysomyces (16.31 %), hitherto unreported in the context of table olive processing. However, their prevalence dwindled to nearly negligible levels from 24th day fermentation onwards (<2 %). On the contrary, they were replaced by the fermentative yeasts Saccharomyces and Isstachenkia. Results obtained in this work will be useful for designing new strategies for better control of table olive fermentations. • Metataxonomic analysis of ITS region was applied in Spanish-style olive fermentations. • Variances in yeast population were detected at 0, 24, and 83 days of fermentation. • Candida and Aureobasidium were the responsible genera for the statistical differences • No significant differences were observed in fermentation matrix or inoculation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a total of 72 commercial table olive packages obtained from different international markets were analysed to determine their fungal biodiversity. Viable fungal counts ranged from the detection threshold (<1.6 log 10 CFU/g in 25% of cases) to a maximum of 5.86 log 10 CFU/g. Assignation of fungal taxonomy was carried out through a metataxonomic analysis of the ITS region, which revealed that almost half of the total sequences obtained from all packages corresponded to the Pichia genus (44.08%), followed by Citeromyces (14.45%), Candida (8.07%), and Wickerhamomyces (6.95%). In lower proportions were also detected other genera such as Starmerella (3.60%), Saccharomyces (2.24%), Debaryomyces (2.08%), and Dekkera (2.05%). The statistical analysis allowed to link certain taxa to specific types of elaboration (lye treated, green, and black natural olives), presentation (pitted, whole, or sliced samples), and packaging material/system (glass, PET, plastic bags, and vacuum). Likewise, Zygotorulaspora genus was especially sensitive to the presence of potassium sorbate, while other genera such as Sporobolomyces , Moniliella , and Gibellulopsis were more abundant in packages treated with this preservative. Lastly, potential pathogenic fungal genera such as Alternaria, Kodamaea, Lodderomyces, Malasessia, or Aspergillus were detected in low proportions (<0.3%), although with higher representation in some individual samples. Our results contribute to improving our knowledge of the fungal population associated with this ready-to-eat fermented vegetable, providing us a strong tool to assess the safety, stability, and quality of the final product. • Metataxonomic approach of ITS region was applied in global commercial olive packages. • Half of total sequences obtained from all packages corresponded to the Pichia genus. • Potential pathogenic fungi were detected in high representation in some samples. • The presence of certain fungal taxa was influenced by the packaging conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work applies metataxonomic, standard statistics, and compositional data (CoDa) techniques to study the bacterial diversity of spoiled and normal Spanish-style table olive fermentations, analysing a total of 10-tons of industrial fermentation containers from two processing yards. Forty percent were affected by butyric, sulfidic, or putrid spoilage, while 60% followed the ordinary fermentation course. The samples were obtained at 30 days of fermentation, determining their 16S rRNA gene Amplicon Sequence Variant compositions (ASVs). The butyric containers showed a bacterial profile strongly associated with the genera Enterococcus , Leuconostoc , and Atlantibacter , but also with Lactiplantibacillus and Melissococcus , and less confident to Raoultella , Enterobacter , Serratia , and Celerinatantimonas. The sulfidic fermentation was linked to Alkalibacterium and, to a lesser extent, Marinilactibacillus and the absence of Lactiplantibacillus. Putrid spoilage was mainly related to Halolactibacillus and Alkalibacterium. Sulfidic/putrid (together) differed from butyric spoilage by the presence of Alkalibacterium / Marinilactibacillus as well as by Halomonas / Halanaerobium. Lactiplantibacillus dominated normal fermentations, but Vibrio was also frequently found (0–46%), apparently not causing any alteration. These results contribute to a better microbial characterisation of non-zapatera spoiled table olive fermentations. They also suggest using several statistical techniques to discriminate normal vs spoiled fermentations adequately. • Bacterial profiles of spoiled industrial table olive fermentation vessels was studied. • Butyric spoilage was mainly related to Enterococcus , Leuconostoc , and Atlantibacter. • Sulfidic spoilage was primary associated with Alkalibacterium. • Putrid spoilage was linked to Halolactobacillus and Alkalibacterium. • Propionibacterium , Bacillus or Pseudomonas were not detected in the spoiled vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Table olives are the most important fermented vegetable in the Mediterranean countries. In a continuous effort to improve the quality of this food, this work applies an experimental design with four variables to study the use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, 2.85 µL/L) in combination with a light heat shock (65 °C, 5 min) and dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC, 83 mg/L), during the processing of Spanish style and natural table olives. Fruits processed in the Spanish style exhibited higher moisture levels, luminance, and combined acidity. On the contrary, natural olives contained more sugars, had a firmer texture, and displayed a greener colour. Our results show that applying 1-MCP, heat shock, and DMDC can positively impact the processing of Spanish style and natural table olives and influence their physicochemical characteristics. Adding DMDC to the initial brine caused colour degradation but lowered the pH. Using 1-MCP with a light heat shock improved the sugar content and luminance of olives and increased the titratable acidity in the brine. Applying 1-MCP to the Spanish style enhanced the luminosity (brightness) and, when combined with DMDC, led to the lowest pH levels. Further research at an industrial scale is necessary to validate these results and study their influence on microorganisms. These treatments could have applications in developing new table olive processing methods that allow for more predictable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, metataxonomic-compositional data analysis was applied to study the influence of inoculation, type of ecosystem (brine or fruit), and time of fermentation (0, 24, and 83 days) on the bacterial composition dynamic during industrial Manzanilla Spanish-style green table olive fermentations. Differences in the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics between inoculated and spontaneous fermentations were scarce, except for the high lactic acid bacteria population (>10 million CFU/g) in the inoculated olive biofilms. The metataxonomic analysis showed eight relevant taxa (Lactiplantibacillus, Vibrio, Halolactibacillus, Aerococcus, Catenococcus, Salinivibrio, Alkalibacterium, and Marinilactibacillus) and absence of pathogens, but the microbiota composition markedly changed throughout fermentation. At the process onset, the main genera were Vibrio, Halolactibacillus, Marinilactibacillus, and Alkalibacterium, while Lactiplantibacillus was almost absent. Regardless of inoculation, Lactiplantibacillus became the predominant genus as the fermentation progressed, albeit Vibrio, Marinilactibacillus, Alkalibacterium, and Halolactibacillus also persisted until the end of the process (but did not cause spoilage). Ferrimonas genus was detected for the first time in table olives, being found in 71% of the samples. Besides, there was more bacterial biodiversity in the brine ecosystem than olive biofilms. Overall, inoculation led to more homogenous and equilibrated bacterial populations at the end of the process. This study expands the knowledge on the bacterial population changes occurring during industrial table olive fermentation, the differences between populations in brines and biofilms, and the beneficial effects of inoculation for using table olives as a carrier of beneficial microorganisms. • Compositional analysis provided new insights of food metataxonomic data. • Low number of bacterial genera typifies green Spanish-style table olive processing. • Lactiplantibacillus became the predominant genera as the fermentation progressed. • Inoculation led to more homogenous bacterial populations at the end of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]