Effects of ozone exposure on the xerophilic fungus, Eurotium amstelodami IS-SAB-01, isolated from naan bread

Antony-Babu, Sanjay; Singleton, Ian

Abstract

Xerophilic moulds cause contamination and spoilage of low moisture foods. This study examined the effect of ozone fumigation on growth of a Eurotium species isolated from naan bread. Two ozone treatments were used — a low-level long-term exposure (0.4 μmol/mol for 21 days) and high-level short-term exposure (300 μmol/mol for 5 to 120 min). For the low level exposure the combination of different media sucrose concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 20% w/v) with ozone treatment was also assessed. The growth of the isolate was found to be sensitive to low-level ozone fumigation depending on the media sucrose concentration and duration of the exposure. Low-level ozone exposure significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of asexual spores formed in media with no added sucrose, an effect not observed in media with higher sucrose levels. Electron microscope observations of colonies indicated that ozone exposed cultures produced lower numbers of cleistothecia. High-level ozone exposure for short durations reduced spore viability although 100% reduction in viability was achieved only after 120 min exposure. This work demonstrates that ozone may be used to reduce spore production in Eurotium but that the ozone effect can be mediated by sucrose levels in the growth medium.

Citation

Antony-Babu, S., & Singleton, I. (2011). Effects of ozone exposure on the xerophilic fungus, Eurotium amstelodami IS-SAB-01, isolated from naan bread. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 144(3), 331-336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.09.019

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 23, 2010
• Online Publication Date: Sep 29, 2010
• Publication Date: Jan 5, 2011
• Deposit Date: Aug 2, 2016
• Journal: International Journal of Food Microbiology
• Print ISSN: 0168-1605
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 144
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 331-336
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.09.019
• Keywords: Naan bread; Eurotium; Ozone; Oxidative stress; Sucrose; Spores; Ascospores; Cleistothecia
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/322408
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160510005441