Antagonism analysis of native Brazilian yeasts in the control of Fusarium graminearum and its mycotoxins by molecular approaches

• Grant number: 24/08298-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Liliana de Oliveira Rocha
• Grantee: Letícia Aliberti Galego Alves da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/16635-7 - Exploring antagonistic micro-organisms for controlling Fusarium graminearum and its associated mycotoxins, AP.R

Abstract

Barley and other grains are susceptible to fungal contamination during different stages of their production. In this regard, Fusarium graminearum sensu stricto (s.s.) is currently among the major cereal phytopathogens. In addition, as well as causing the disease known as gibberella, this species is a potential mycotoxin producer, mainly type B trichothecenes and zearalenone. Therefore, infection by this fungus can not only result in economic losses, but also in risk to human and animal health, making its proper control indispensable. In this context, biological control is proving to be a promising strategy compared to chemical control, especially due to its ecological suitability and ease of production/application. However, there have been only a few studies elucidating the molecular interactions between biological control agents (BCAs), the phytopathogen, the plant and the environment. Understanding these interactions is essential for the development of application strategies of BCAs, as well as their regulation for use by producers, thus enabling a production which is less damaging to the environment. In this regard, the main objective of this project is to select the most promising candidate among 100 native yeast isolates from the Amazon, Cerrado, Atlantic Forest and Pantanal biomes, by means of in vitro and in vivo tests, as well as elucidating the molecular interactions between the yeast, the phytopathogen and the plant, inactivating/activating pathways or genes of interest by means of CRISPR for the description, production and isolation of relevant compounds for use in biocontrol by industry. (AU)