Control of postharvest blue mold decay in pears by Meyerozyma guilliermondii and it's effects on the protein expression profile of pears

This study assessed the biocontrol efficacy of Meyerozyma guilliermondii against blue mold decay caused by Penicillium expansum in pears and the possible mechanisms involved. The results indicated that M. guilliermondii significantly inhibited the blue mold decay caused by P. expansum without affecting the quality of the pears. M. guilliermondii rapidly colonized the wounds and surfaces of the pears at both 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C. The rapid growth in the population of M. guilliermondii in the wounds and surface environments of pears indicated that it has the potential to inhibit pathogens in pears. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and catalase) in the pear were improved after the application of the yeast. Phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL), a key enzyme involved in lignin biosynthesis and defense related activity, was also markedly enhanced. Generally, the application of yeast induced disease resistance in the pear. The results pear proteomics profile after M. guilliermondii treatment showed that 17 proteins were significantly up-regulated and 13 were down-regulated in response to induction with M. guilliermondii. Most of the proteins were involved in defense and stress responses based on biological process. These results provided a new insight into the biocontrol mechanism of the antagonist yeast in the pear fruit.