Efficacy and mechanistic insights of Kluyveromyces marxianus cell wall in enhancing pear fruit resistance against Penicillium expansum
- 1College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro Food Processing Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- 2Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Abstract
Postharvest fungal infestation poses a significant threat to fresh fruit, leading to substantial economic losses. This study investigated the efficacy and mechanism of yeast cell walls in inducing fruit resistance, with a focus on extracts from Kluyveromyces marxianus. Compared to the commonly referenced Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall, application of the K. marxianus cell wall provided superior protection in pear fruit against Penicillium expansum infection, markedly reducing disease incidence. This enhanced biocontrol activity is attributed to its distinct polysaccharide composition, characterized by 60.37% mannan, 38.34% glucan, and 1.29% chitin, and its unique structural properties. The treatment triggered a rapid wound oxidative burst, upregulated key antioxidant and defense-related enzymes, and promoted the accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid in pear tissue. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that β-glucan and mannan components synergistically activated plant hormone signaling and plant–pathogen interaction pathways. Notably, mannan specifically modulated carbohydrate metabolism and MAPK-associated defense responses. These findings establish the K. marxianus cell wall as a potent and novel biocontrol agent, offering a sustainable strategy for managing postharvest decay through the targeted induction of fruit innate immunity.
Related
- β-aminobutyric acid primes lignin-associated resistance to Penicillium digitatum in postharvest lemon fruit involving ClMYB46L-mediated transcriptional activation
- Enhancing grapefruit resistance to green mold through synergistic effects of bamboo vinegar and Cryptococcus laurentii.
- The pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) influences the desiccation resistance of Ixodes ricinus nymphs potentially enhancing its vector role
- Population density constrains coexistence of cooperative and cheating Kluyveromyces lactis through frequency-dependent physical interactions
- Inhibitory effects of propyl paraben, citral, and gallic acid on the growth, patulin biosynthesis, and patulin biosynthetic gene expression of Penicillium paneum OM1
BibTeX
@article{wu2026efficacy,
title = {{Efficacy and mechanistic insights of Kluyveromyces marxianus cell wall in enhancing pear fruit resistance against Penicillium expansum}},
author = {Yalan Wu and Xin-ai Chen and Ting Yu and Fujie Yan},
journal = {Food Innovation and Advances},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.48130/fia-0026-0037},
url = {https://doi.org/10.48130/fia-0026-0037},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Efficacy and mechanistic insights of Kluyveromyces marxianus cell wall in enhancing pear fruit resistance against Penicillium expansum
AU - Yalan Wu
AU - Xin-ai Chen
AU - Ting Yu
AU - Fujie Yan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Food Innovation and Advances
DO - 10.48130/fia-0026-0037
UR - https://doi.org/10.48130/fia-0026-0037
AB - Postharvest fungal infestation poses a significant threat to fresh fruit, leading to substantial economic losses. This study investigated the efficacy and mechanism of yeast cell walls in inducing fruit resistance, with a focus on extracts from Kluyveromyces marxianus. Compared to the commonly referenced Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall, application of the K. marxianus cell wall provided superior protection in pear fruit against Penicillium expansum infection, markedly reducing disease incidence. This enhanced biocontrol activity is attributed to its distinct polysaccharide composition, characterized by 60.37% mannan, 38.34% glucan, and 1.29% chitin, and its unique structural properties. The treatment triggered a rapid wound oxidative burst, upregulated key antioxidant and defense-related enzymes, and promoted the accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid in pear tissue. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that β-glucan and mannan components synergistically activated plant hormone signaling and plant–pathogen interaction pathways. Notably, mannan specifically modulated carbohydrate metabolism and MAPK-associated defense responses. These findings establish the K. marxianus cell wall as a potent and novel biocontrol agent, offering a sustainable strategy for managing postharvest decay through the targeted induction of fruit innate immunity.
SN - 2836-774X
ER -