This study evaluated the changes in the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with the early fungal deterioration of tomatoes and their relationship with mycotoxin production. Tomatoes were inoculated with Alternaria alternata, creating two batches: (i) inoculated with A. alternata and (ii) a control group inoculated with sterile water. VOCs were identified and quantified using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS), while mycotoxin production was analysed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Analyses were performed on days 0, 4, 7, 10, and 11 to monitor the effect of the pathogen during storage at 25 °C. A total of 65 VOCs were identified, with alcohols being the most abundant family (20), followed by aldehydes (15). Principal component analysis revealed that the volatile profile allowed for the clear discrimination of infected samples as early as day 4 (10 mm lesion diameter), with octanal and oct-1-en-3-one serving as potential early markers (associated with a 10 mm lesion diameter). In contrast, advanced stages were characterized by the increase of branched-chain alcohols such as 3-methylbutan-1-ol, 4-methylpentan-1-ol, and 3-methylpentan-1-ol. Regarding mycotoxins, the highest production of alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) occurred later, on day 7, reaching 32.7 ppb and 1.26 ppb, respectively, followed by a decrease. Altertoxin I (ATX-I) was only detected at the end of the storage period (day 11, 2.04 ppb). These findings demonstrate that VOC profiling allows for the detection of the infection at an early stage, preceding significant mycotoxin accumulation, highlighting the potential of specific volatile markers as a robust and preventive analytical strategy for the management of fungal contamination in tomatoes.

Smoked paprika from three production campaigns (2023-2025) was analysed by line-scan hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to assess campaign-year discrimination and screening of reference indices. Ninety-one commercial lots were scanned with two complementary cameras, Specim FX10 (400-1000 nm) and Specim FX17 (900-1700 nm). Spectra were preprocessed using scatter-correction and derivative-based methods, and principal component analysis was first used to identify informative preprocessing strategies. Supervised models were then developed under repeated nested cross-validation using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), support vector machines (SVMs), and partial least squares regression (PLSR). Both cameras achieved reproducible campaignyear discrimination, with balanced accuracies of 96-98%, and linear models performed comparably to radial basis function SVMs. Variable-importance profiles highlighted carotenoid-related bands in the visible region and O-H/C-H overtone regions in the SWIR. Reference measurements showed between-campaign variability in American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) colour indices, whereas moisture followed a clearer storage-related trend. Moisture prediction from FX17 spectra showed the strongest regression performance (r = 0.926; RMSE = 1.138), while ASTA D0, ASTA D3 and colour loss showed lower predictive performance. Overall, VIS-SWIR HSI provided a robust framework for campaign-year discrimination and rapid moisture screening in smoked paprika.

BACKGROUND:The present study aimed to valorize broccoli by-products (leaves and stems) through the extraction of bioactive compounds using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The influence of broccoli variety, plant part and maturation stage on total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties was evaluated. Additionally, the bioactive compounds present in the extracts were identified by HPLC-UV-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS:Although extraction yields were lower than those obtained with conventional methods, SFE extracts exhibited high antioxidant activity, reaching values up to 1311.8 mg Trolox kg-1 of dry extract in the CLX 3570 variety using the DPPH assay. A strong correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity was observed. The extracts also showed notable antimicrobial activity, with inhibition values up to 98.09% against Bacillus cereus, particularly in the Shard cultivar. This effect was associated with the presence of specific fatty acids, such as linoleic and palmitic acids, which were more abundant in stems. Furthermore, increasing maturation stage significantly enhanced extraction yield, TPC, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial capacity. CONCLUSION:Broccoli by-products represent a promising source of functional bioactive compounds. SFE emerges as a sustainable extraction technique capable of producing high-quality extracts with significant biological activity, contributing to waste valorization and the development of functional ingredients for the food industry. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Pronounced compositional heterogeneity hinders the valorization of broccoli by-products. To address this, a transparent UV-VIS-NIR chemometric workflow was developed to screen 'Parthenon' ultrasound-assisted extracts across distinct plant parts and maturity stages. Factorial analysis revealed that phytochemical accumulation was strictly governed by tissue ontology and maturity, with the strongest interactions concentrated in indolic glucosinolates, including glucobrassicin and methoxyglucobrassicins. Under repeated nested cross-validation, PLSR models with SNV and second-derivative preprocessing showed cross-validated performance for antihypertensive activity (R2CV up to 0.812), antioxidant endpoints (DPPH and ABTS; R2CV = 0.680-0.699), and indolic glucosinolates (R2CV = 0.709), although factor-only baselines matched or exceeded spectral models for primary functional endpoints. Variable importance in projection (VIP) stability analysis isolated invariant spectral regions. Multi-criteria ranking revealed a trade-off between leaf-driven antioxidant performance and inflorescence-driven indolic glucosinolate enrichment, while Inflorescence | Commercial achieved the highest composite ranking for functional upcycling.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) by-products represent an abundant and underutilized source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in sustainable food systems. This study aimed to characterize the microbiota associated with different plant fractions (leaves, stems, and heads) of broccoli (Parthenon and Tritón cultivars) and to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of their extracts, using cauliflower as a reference. Microbial counts and fungal identification (ITS sequencing) were performed, while phytochemical profiles were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-QTOF. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays, and antimicrobial activity under in vitro conditions was evaluated against selected foodborne bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. Broccoli by-products, particularly leaves, showed lower microbial loads in certain cultivars and were rich in phenolic compounds and glucosinolates; however, higher phenolic content did not always correlate with greater antioxidant activity, highlighting the importance of compound composition. All extracts showed strong antibacterial activity at higher concentrations, especially against Listeria spp. Notably, antifungal activity was selective but relevant, with consistent inhibition observed against Alternaria alternata, while Penicillium purpurogenum and Botrytis cinerea exhibited higher resistance. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of broccoli by-products as sustainable sources of natural bioactive compounds for food applications, particularly in the development of preservation strategies and postharvest treatments. Further studies focusing on individual compounds and their specific biological activities are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying these effects and to support their application in real food systems.

Understanding the early biochemical transformations of broccoli during oral processing is essential for accurately assessing the bioaccessibility of health-promoting glucosinolates (GSLs) and their hydrolysis products. This study aimed to optimize an ex-vivo oral digestion model using human saliva to evaluate the formation of isothiocyanates (ITCs), nitriles, and sulfur-containing volatiles. Broccoli samples were subjected to controlled ex-vivo oral digestion conditions and analyzed for total phenolic content, individual GSLs, and volatile breakdown products by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography (HS-SPME-GC). Saliva proportion emerged as the main determinant of ITC formation, with intermediate saliva amounts (50–75%) maximizing ITC release, whereas 100% saliva promoted nitrile and sulfur compound generation, likely due to the saliva-mediated biochemical interactions previously described in the literature. Contact and chewing times moderately increased GSL extraction but favored nitrile accumulation over prolonged durations. Heatmap and PCA analyses revealed distinct metabolite patterns driven by saliva composition and mechanical processing, highlighting competition between GSL degradation pathways. Overall, a 75% saliva mixture combined with 3 min of contact and simulated chewing optimised ITC production. These findings emphasize the relevance of oral processing and provide a framework for studying the bioaccessibility of cruciferous phytochemicals.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two elicitors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and melatonin, on Aspergillus welwitschiae and Aspergillus flavus growth and mycotoxin production, alongside critical environmental parameters such as water activity (aw) and pH. A Response Surface Methodology with Box–Behnken Design was used for modelling the combined impact of aw (0.92–0.99), pH (5.6–6.3), and elicitor (GABA: 10–50 mM; melatonin: 0.1–0.5 mM) under fluctuating temperatures simulating field conditions. Results showed that aw was the primary factor controlling growth and mycotoxin production, while the influence of pH (5.6–6.3) was negligible. Maintaining aw below 0.92 is critical for preventing fungal proliferation and the synthesis of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFs). Melatonin showed limited impact, suggesting its potential as a safe pre-harvest treatment for dried figs. Conversely, GABA exhibited a more complex role: intermediate concentrations (30 mM) stimulated A. flavus growth and OTA production by A. welwitschiae, and its presence enhanced the osmotic stress response, shifting optimum mycotoxin production to 0.96 aw. Predictive models developed showed high accuracy for growth (R² > 99%) and moderate to high accuracy for OTA and AFB1 production (R² 62–98.82%). Validation experiments corroborated these findings, with correlation values (R) for growth > 0.97 and for mycotoxins (OTA and AFB1) ranging from 0.76 to 0.87. These models offer valuable tools for the dried fig industry to predict the impact of pre-harvest melatonin or GABA treatments on toxigenic Aspergillus moulds and ensure food safety.

BACKGROUND:The control of fungal diseases in organic fruit production remains a major challenge due to the limited availability of authorized phytosanitary tools. This study evaluates the efficacy of two antagonistic yeasts - Metschnikowia pulcherrima L672 and Hanseniaspora uvarum L793 - in organic peach ( Prunus persica ) and plum ( Prunus salicina ) orchards over two consecutive seasons. Four treatments were compared: an untreated control, a standard organic management program, and foliar applications of each yeast strain. RESULTS:Microbiological monitoring revealed that Metschnikowia pulcherrima L672 demonstrated superior persistence and colonization, significantly reducing the abundance and colony size of filamentous fungi, including key pathogenic genera such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium spp. This biocontrol effect translated into improved fruit quality, notably a significant reduction in discarded plums at harvest, without compromising overall yield. In contrast, H. uvarum L793 exhibited limited persistence and a more transient antagonistic effect. CONCLUSION:These findings support the integration of Metschnikowia pulcherrima L672 as a promising and effective biocontrol agent for managing fungal diseases in organic stone fruit production systems. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Contamination of dried figs by Aspergillus flavus and its carcinogenic aflatoxins poses a significant food safety risk. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from biocontrol yeasts offer a promising sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of VOCs produced by Metschnikowia pulcherrima L672 and Hanseniaspora uvarum L793 on the growth and aflatoxin production of A. flavus in a dried fig agar model. The volatile profiles produced by the yeasts, both individually and during co-culture, were characterized by HS-SPME-GC-MS to correlate them with the observed antagonistic activity. The results showed that VOCs from both yeasts potently inhibited mycelial growth by over 94%. However, significant differences were observed in their anti-aflatoxigenic efficacy. While M. pulcherrima L672 significantly reduced aflatoxin levels, H. uvarum L793 reduced their synthesis to below the limit of detection. This distinction was strongly correlated with their volatile profiles; H. uvarum L793 produced a more complex and abundant blend of VOCs, particularly alcohols and esters, in response to the fungus. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that while both yeasts are effective fungistatic agents, the superior anti-mycotoxigenic activity of H. uvarum L793 is correlated with a more robust and complex volatile response to the pathogen. This highlights the critical role of the specific volatilome composition in determining biocontrol efficacy and positions H. uvarum L793 as a prime candidate for controlling A. flavus in food systems.

Yeast of the genus Hanseniaspora, through their production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are promising biocontrol agents against Botrytis cinerea, although strain-specific mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, 25 Hanseniaspora strains were screened for antagonistic activity using a multi-parametric approach that integrated physiological impacts (growth, sporulation) with cellular (glycerol, ergosterol) and molecular stress responses (HOG and Cell Wall Integrity pathways via Hog1 and Rho1 genes) in B. cinerea. The volatilome was characterised by GC-MS, and multivariate and correlation analyses were used to link VOC profiles to antagonistic efficacy. Results confirmed that antagonistic activity is highly strain-specific. Three strains, Hanseniaspora valbyensis 9, H. occidentalis 16, and H. singularis 23, emerged as the most potent antagonists. Crucially, these strains exhibited distinct mechanisms of action, inducing diverse and sometimes paradoxical stress responses in B. cinerea. These included a classic osmotic and cell wall stress response (upregulation of Hog1 and Rho1), a 'signalling paralysis' characterized by the downregulation of stress-response pathways, and an uncoupling of Hog1 transcription from its metabolic output. The volatilome was dominated by esters and alcohols, but principal component analysis revealed that antagonistic efficacy was not driven by the quantity of VOCs but by the quality of the blend, with organic acids and branched-chain alcohols being characteristic of the most effective strains. This study provides a novel insight into the complex chemical and molecular interactions in yeast-mould antagonism. By linking VOC profiles to physiological and genetic responses, our findings lay the groundwork for rational selection of biocontrol agents, balancing high antagonistic efficacy with the sensory compatibility for target food applications.

This study aims to investigate the preferences of Spanish consumers regarding the use of natural preservatives in fruit, taking into account the different factors that may influence their purchase decision. Although preservatives are mainly used in packaged fruit, this study also considers other relevant factors in the purchasing process too, such as geographical origin and price. The study focuses on two of the most popular packaged fruits in supermarkets in Spain -plums and table grapes- with the aim of determining whether preferences are general for all fruits or whether they vary according to the type of product consumed. To carry out this study, a representative sample of Spanish consumers in terms of age and sex was surveyed. Results reveal that participants' preferences follow the same pattern for both fruits although with minimal differences in utility values. Generally, a growing consumer interest in healthier and more natural food options is found. However, even though theoretically consumers prefer natural preservatives, when put in purchase situation, they choose fruits without preservatives over those with natural ones.

This study aimed to model the effects of aw, pH, and OA, a compound commonly used as a plant elicitor, on the growth and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus welwitschiae and Aspergillus flavus on a fig-based model substrate. Using RSM with a BBD, the combined impact of aw (0.92–0.99), pH (5.6–6.3), and OA (1–2 mM) on growth and mycotoxin production was evaluated under fixed temperature cycle simulating field conditions. HPLC-FLD quantified OTA and AFs. The results revealed that aw was the most influential factor governing fungal behaviour. The driest aw (0.92) significantly delayed growth and completely inhibited the production of OTA and AFB1. Conversely, high aw (0.99) was a prerequisite for significant mycotoxin accumulation. While OA at the tested elicitor concentrations did not prove to be a potent independent inhibitor of mycotoxins, its interactions with aw and pH did significantly delay fungal growth. The high R2 values (>96%) for growth models indicated a strong goodness-of-fit for comparing the relative impact of the factors. The models for mycotoxins had more moderate R2 values, a common finding reflecting the complexity of secondary metabolism. Consequently, these models should be regarded as semi-quantitative tools for identifying high-risk trends rather than for precise prediction. Following internal validation, all developed models proved to be valuable semi-quantitative tools for identifying high-risk conditions, including those with more modest R2 values like the OTA model (R2 = 56.5%, validation R > 0.945).

This study evaluates the application of an electronic nose (E-nose) system as a non-destructive tool for the early detection of Monilinia laxa infection in yellow nectarines (Prunus persica var. nectarine, cv. “Kinolea”) through the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Two experimental groups were established: a control group of healthy fruit and a treatment group inoculated with the pathogen. The VOCs emitted by both groups were identified and quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Simultaneously, the responses of the E-nose were recorded at three critical stages of fungal development: early, intermediate, and advanced. The electronic nose used consists of a set of 11 commercial metal oxide semiconductor (MOX) sensors. The signals from these sensors showed a strong correlation with the VOC profiles associated with fungal deterioration. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models based on E-nose data successfully distinguished between healthy and infected samples with 97% accuracy. Furthermore, the system accurately classified samples into three stages of contamination—control, early infection, and advanced infection—with 96% classification accuracy. These findings demonstrate that E-nose technology is an effective, rapid, and non-invasive method for the real-time monitoring of post-harvest fungal contamination in nectarines, offering significant potential for improving quality control during storage and distribution.

BACKGROUND:Stone fruits are vulnerable to contamination by Penicillium expansum (PE), a patulin-producing mould. The use of yeasts as biocontrol agents could be an effective strategy to combat this pathogen. This study evaluated the ability of Metschnikowia pulcherrima L672 (L672) and Pichia kudriavzevii L40 (L40) as biocontrol strategies on peach (Romea), black plum (Black gold), nectarine (Nectavista), and flat peach (Flat Beauty), analysing their impact on incidence and severity of PE damage, patulin production and the expression of the idh gene, a key gene of the patulin biosynthetic pathway. RESULTS:The results indicate that both yeasts reduced the incidence and severity of PE in the four stone fruit types studied, with a more pronounced effect observed for L672. This yeast reduced the presence of patulin in three of the stone fruits where patulin was produced by PE (nectarine, peach and black plum), while P. kudriavzevii L40 limited patulin production in peach by 90%. Regarding the study of the expression of the idh gene, L40 increased its expression compared to the control, although this effect varied among fruits. In contrast, L672 did not produce changes in gene expression in nectarines and black plums - fruits where patulin was not detected. CONCLUSION:The application of the yeasts L672 and L40 as biocontrol agents was shown to be an effective strategy to reduce the incidence and severity of PE and patulin production in stone fruits, with a greater effect of L672 in most cases. Furthermore, differences were observed in the regulation of the idh gene, suggesting that the efficacy of biocontrol in this aspect depends on both the yeast used and the type of fruit. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

This study investigated the ability of an electronic nose system (E-nose) to detect early signs of fungal contamination in the red plum variety ‘Black Splendor’. We focused on identifying changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that occur with decay. For this purpose, we compared two groups of plums: a control group (healthy plums) and a group inoculated with Monilinia laxa. VOCs from both groups were analyzed and quantified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In parallel, E-nose signals were recorded at two key moments of fungal development: an early and an intermediate phase. The results revealed a strong correlation between E-nose signals and the aromatic profile characteristic of fungal contamination in plums. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models, developed from the E-nose data, achieved 100% differentiation between healthy and infected samples. Furthermore, these models discriminated with 100% accuracy between healthy plums and those with incipient contamination. These findings demonstrate that E-nose technology serves as a reliable, non-destructive approach for real-time assessment of plum quality throughout storage.

Plums are climacteric fruits with a short postharvest shelf-life, which makes them highly susceptible to spoilage by moulds and pathogens. Biological control using antagonistic yeasts offers a promising approach to extend shelf-life by inhibiting fungal growth. This study evaluated the effects of two yeast strains, Hanseniaspora uvarum L793 and Metschnikowia pulcherrima L672, on the quality of ‘Larry Ann’ Japanese plums during cold storage. Plums were divided into three batches: two treated by immersion in yeast suspensions (108 cells mL−1) and one untreated control. Quality parameters assessed over 12 weeks at 1 °C included weight loss, decay index, microbial counts, yeast colonisation, skin and flesh colour, texture, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and ripening index, with evaluations every week. M. pulcherrima L672 showed strong colonisation and persistence on the plum surface, significantly reducing skin damage and mould incidence. In contrast, H. uvarum L793 initially colonised well but declined over time, being replaced by native yeasts such as Aureobasidium spp. Both treatments maintained the physicochemical and organoleptic quality of the plums throughout storage. However, M. pulcherrima L672 was more effective in suppressing fungal growth and preserving fruit integrity. These findings suggest that M. pulcherrima L672 is a promising biocontrol agent for prolonging the shelf-life of Japanese plums during cold storage, maintaining their commercial quality for up to three months.

This study evaluated the performance of an electronic nose (E-nose) system for the early detection of fungal spoilage in yellow-fleshed peach (Prunus persica cv. ‘Carla’). Fruits were divided into two groups: one inoculated with Monilinia laxa and a non-inoculated control. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified and quantified via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), while E-nose sensor responses were recorded at two post-inoculation stages: early and middle decay. A strong correlation was observed between E-nose biosensor signals and VOC profiles associated with fungal development. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models based on E-nose data successfully classified samples into three categories: healthy, early decay, and middle decay. Recognition rates exceeded 97% across all external validations, with 100% accuracy for early-stage infections. These results demonstrate the potential of E-nose technology as a rapid, non-destructive tool for monitoring peach quality during storage.

The ability of an electronic nose system to differentiate alterations in the volatile organic compound (VOCs) profile caused by early spoilage of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples due to Penicillium expansum was thoroughly evaluated. Three strains of this mould species (M639, pe2280 and pe2278) were individually used to inoculate ‘Golden Delicious’ apples, resulting in four different batches: (i) M639, (ii) pe2280, (iii) pe2278 and (iv) a control group (inoculated with sterile water). Volatile compounds were identified and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and signals from an electronic nose system (E-nose) were recorded for each batch with three different growth diameters: early stage (10 mm), middle stage (20 mm) and late stage (40 mm). A strong correlation was observed between the responses from multiple E-nose biosensors and the aromatic profile associated with fungal alterations in apples. Using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models based on E-nose sensor data from the specified batches, we successfully differentiated healthy and infected samples, specifically three distinct groups: control, M639+pe2280 and pe2278. Remarkably, the recognition rates for total external samples exceeded 87% and reached 97% for samples in the early stage of fungal infection. These results validate the online capability of E-nose technology for the non-destructive evaluation of apple storage processes.

Biocontrol is one of the most promising alternatives to chemical preservatives for food preservation. This study investigated the biocontrol potential of yeasts isolated from raw milk cheese against spoilage moulds. Eighty-four native yeast strains were screened for antagonistic activity against Penicillium commune, Fusarium verticillioides, and Mucor plumbeus/racemosus via confrontation using a milk-based culture medium. Fifteen strains from the species Pichia jadinii, Kluyveromyces lactis, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and Geotrichum candidum exhibited significant antagonistic activity (inhibition zone > 2 mm) against M. plumbeus/racemosus and F. verticillioides. The modelling of the impact of ripening conditions revealed that temperature was the primary factor influencing yeast antagonism. In addition, notable variability at both species and strain levels was found. The antagonist activity was associated with different mechanisms depending on the species and strains. K. lactis stood out for its proteolytic activity and competition for iron and manganese. Additionally, two strains of this species (KL890 and KL904) were found to produce volatile organic compounds with antifungal properties (phenylethyl alcohol and 1-butanol-3-methyl propionate). G. candidum GC663 exhibited strong competition for space, as well as the ability to parasitise hyphae linked to its pectinase and β-glucanase activity. The latter enzymatic activity was detected in all P. jadinii strains, with P. jadinii PJ433 standing out due to its proteolytic activity. In a cheese matrix, the efficacy of eight yeast strains against three target moulds was assessed, highlighting the potential of G. candidum GC663 and P. jadinii PJ433 as biocontrol agents, exhibiting high and moderate efficacy, respectively, in controlling the growth of F. verticillioides and M. plumbeus/racemosus. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to elucidate their full spectrum of antifungal mechanisms and to validate their performance under industrial-scale conditions, including their impact on cheese quality.