Trehalose supplementation enhanced the biocontrol efficiency of Sporidiobolus pararoseus Y16 through increased oxidative stress tolerance and altered transcriptome

BACKGROUND In the process of biological control, the antagonistic yeasts contend with various stresses that negatively influence yeasts' biocontrol efficiency. In the current study, we investigated the effect of trehalose supplementation on the biocontrol efficiency and oxidative stress tolerance of Sporidiobolus pararoseus Y16. RESULTS S. pararoseus Y16, an antagonistic yeast cultured in trehalose supplemented medium, exhibited better biocontrol efficiency against Penicillium expansum and Aspergillus tubingensis in table grapes. Trehalose-treated S. pararoseus Y16 cells showed good proliferation efficiency and oxidative stress tolerance than untreated cells. Increased beta-1,3-glucanase, catalase, superoxide dismutase activity, and low protein carbonylation were observed in trehalose-amended S. pararoseus Y16 upon H2O2 exposure. The RNA sequencing results indicated that trehalose significantly altered the transcriptome of S. pararoseus Y16. The GO, KEGG, and COG annotations revealed that the differentially regulated genes corresponded to the various biological process of the yeast. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that trehalose use could enhance the biocontrol efficiency and oxidative stress tolerance of S. pararoseus Y16. Trehalose supplementation altered the transcriptome of S. pararoseus Y16, particularly the genes that correspond to amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and protein modification. Thereby the oxidative stress tolerance and biological control efficiency of S. pararoseus Y16 was enhanced by trehalose.