Effects of trehalose on stress tolerance and biocontrol efficacy of Cryptococcus laurentii

Aims: To investigate the effects of internal trehalose on viability and biocontrol efficacy of antagonistic yeast Cryptococcus laurentii under stresses of low temperature (LT), controlled atmosphere (CA) and freeze drying. Methods and Results: The content of trehalose in C. laurentii was increased by culturing the yeast in trehalose-containing medium. Compared with yeast cells with low trehalose level, the yeast cells with high level of internal trehalose not only obtained higher viability, but also showed higher population and better biocontrol efficacy against Penicillium expansum on apple fruit both at 1 degrees C and in CA condition (5% O-2, 5% CO2, 1 degrees C). After freeze drying, survival of the yeast with high trehalose level was markedly increased when stored at 25 degrees C for 0, 15 and 30 days. Meanwhile, high integrity of plasma membrane was detected in the freeze-dried yeast with high trehalose level by propidium iodide staining. Conclusions: Induced accumulation of internal trehalose could improve viability and biocontrol efficacy of C. laurentii under stresses of LT and CA. Moreover, survival of the yeast was also increased as internal trehalose accumulation after freeze drying, and one of the reasons might be that trehalose gave an effective protection to plasma membrane. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this experiment show a promising way to improve the biocontrol performance of antagonistic yeasts under the commercial conditions.