Hiperparasitism on mycotoxigenic fungus Aspergillus ochraceus G. Wilh. By Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fresen) de Vries

In the coffee crop, favorable conditions for the development of fungi can contribute to the depreciation of the beverage, due to the taste produced by the fermentations, besides compromising the safety by the production of mycotoxins, being the main mycotoxigenicfungal genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium, contaminants coffee plantations[1].OchratoxinA (OTA) is a naturally occurring foodborne mycotoxin found in a wide variety of agricultural commodities worldwide, ranging from cereal grains to dried fruits to wine and coffee. It is produced by several different fungi including Aspergillus ochraceus, A. carbonarius, A. niger and Penicilliumverrucosum[2].

Biocontrol agents (BCAs) for the control of fungal diseases and pests has been the focus in the development of, thus, the agrochemical industry has refocused priorities on integrated control to include the use of BCAs in research and programmes for disease and pest control. The mechanism of action has often included direct antagonism between the BCA and fungal pathogen, competitive exclusion of the pathogen by niche occupation, production of secondary metabolites, hyperparasitism, and the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)[3]. It is considered as a characteristic of antagonist, to present more than one mechanism, because in this way, their chances of success are increased[4].

Based on the antagonistic interactions and in the several studies on coffee quality, the fungus Cladosporiumcladosporioides (Fresen) de Vries can be considered as antagonistic agent against harmful fungi to quality beverage[5].Studies show that the microorganism acts through the mechanisms of competition antibiosis and parasitism, due to the great capacity for natural adaptation, as well as the rapid capacity to colonize the substrate[6]. In the antibiosis process, the production of cladosporol by the fungus Cladosporium sp. is responsible for the inhibition of the development of insects and other fungi species, and its action as a parasite has been shown to promote hyperparasitism in some fungi species[7].

The present study, objective to evaluate, in vitro, competition between the funguses considered a bioprotective agent of the coffee quality Cladosporiumcladosporioides (Fresen) de Vriesandthe potentially toxigenic fungus Aspergillus ochraceus G.