Mycoflora assessment, growth and toxigenic features of patulin-producers in kiwifruit in China

BACKGROUND Fungal development in agricultural products may cause mycotoxin contamination that are a significant threat to food safety. Patulin (PAT) and PAT-producers contamination has been established as a worldwide problem. The present study was conducted to investigate the mycoflora and PAT-producers present in kiwifruits and environmental samples collected from orchards and processing plants in Shaanxi Province, China. RESULTS Variations in mycoflora were observed in different samples, with penicillia and aspergilli as the predominant genera. Approximately 42.86% of dropped fruits were contaminated with PAT-producers, which harbored the 6-methylsalicylic acid synthase and the isoepoxydon dehydrogenase genes that are involved in PAT biosynthesis. The growth of P. expansum, P. griseofulvum and P. paneum in kiwi puree agar (KPA) medium and kiwi juice (KJ) well fitted the modified Gompertz and Baranyi and Roberts models (R2 ≥ 0.95). A significant positive correlation between colony diameter and PAT content in KPA medium of P. expansum and P. griseofulvum was observed (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This research analyzed the mycofloral composition and the potential risk for PAT and PAT-producer contamination in kiwifruit, which may be utilized in the establishment of proper management practices in the kiwifruit industry.