Diversity and Patulin Production of <i>Penicillium</i> spp. Associated with Apple Blue Mold in Serbia.

ABSTRACT: Apple blue mold, caused by the Penicillium species, is a significant postharvest disease, leading to food loss and impacting food safety due to mycotoxin contamination. This study aimed to identify the Penicillium species associated with apple blue mold in Serbia, assess their pathogenicity, and evaluate their patulin production potential. A total of 70 Penicillium isolates were collected from symptomatic apple fruit and identified as P. expansum (92.9%), P. crustosum (4.3%), P. solitum (1.4%), and P. chrysogenum (1.4%). The pathogenicity assay revealed P. expansum strains as the most virulent. Molecular detection of msas gene and HPLC analysis confirmed patulin production exclusively in P. expansum isolates. Principal C

SUBMITTER: Dudas T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11942967 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature