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Microbial succession in white button mushroom production systems from compost and casing to a marketable packed product

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate microbial succession in the mushroom supply chain from compost, casing to fruit body formation and mushroom growth to the point of harvest, packing and point of sale. The microbial population dynamics of compost, casing and mushrooms were determined using a plate count technique, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing of 16S and 18S rDNA. Plating revealed greater abundance of bacteria, fungi and yeasts in mushroom compost compared to casing and fresh mushroom samples. The viable count method also showed that bacteria and yeasts increased significantly after harvest and during cold storage. Sequencing revealed a more diverse culturable bacterial population in casing and on the mushrooms than in the compost. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a general trend of grouping of species from the same sources. In contrast, a higher microbial diversity was recorded in compost when using the DGGE method, which reflects both cultural and non-culturable microorganisms. For compost and casing bacteria studied using DGGE, several species formed separate lineages, demonstrating highly diverse communities in these samples. Fungi were shown to be less abundant and less diverse compared to bacteria and yeasts. The study provides baseline knowledge of microbial populations and succession trends in mushroom production systems using viable and non-viable methods. The information provided in this study may be useful for microbial ecology studies and to identify and develop biocontrol systems for pathogen control during production or to enhance pinning stimulation by knowing when to apply Pseudomonas spp. to ensure increased yield. Finally, an insight is provided into microbial survival during cold storage and marketing of mushrooms. Potential antagonistic populations known to prevent spoilage, quality deterioration and extend shelf life are listed in this paper.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the South African Mushroom Farmers Association (SAMFA), National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) (a partnership programme funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and managed by the NRF). We would like to thank Dr. L. Meyer, Ms. R. Jacobs, for molecular advice and assistance, as well as Ms. A. Redmond for technical assistance. We also would like to thank the commercial farm for providing research materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Nazareth A. Siyoum & Lise Korsten

  2. Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Karen Surridge

  3. Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, P/Bag X134, Queenswood, 0121, Pretoria, South Africa

    Elna J. van der Linde

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  1. Nazareth A. Siyoum
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  2. Karen Surridge
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  4. Lise Korsten
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Correspondence to Lise Korsten.

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Siyoum, N.A., Surridge, K., van der Linde, E.J. et al. Microbial succession in white button mushroom production systems from compost and casing to a marketable packed product. Ann Microbiol 66, 151–164 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-015-1091-4

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