Table grapes are exposed to fungal infections both before and after harvest, in particular, the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria can cause decays and contaminations by mycotoxins. In this study, the main fungi affecting Lebanese table grapes after harvest were assessed in terms of epiphytic populations, latent infections and rot incidence. Furthermore, the effect of storage with/without SO2 generating pads was evaluated. Representative isolates were molecularly identified and their toxigenic potential was established, with particular reference to regulated mycotoxins as OTA and patulin. The epiphytic population was found to harbour mainly wound pathogens (Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp.), whereas latent infections and rots were mostly caused by Botrytis spp..
[...]
SO2 generating pads caused a significant reduction of the epiphytic population and rots, whereas they were less effective against latent infections. The characterization of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria isolates showed that A. tubingensis, P. glabrum and A. alternata were the most represented species, respectively. Interestingly, strains of A. welwitschiae and P. expansum were also found, and produced OTA and patulin, respectively. These data evidenced the need of effective measures to prevent postharvest losses caused by toxigenic fungi in terms of quality and safety issues.
