The marine yeast Sporidiobolus pararoseus ZMY-1 has antagonistic properties against Botrytis cinerea in vitro and in strawberry fruit

In this study, we isolated a marine yeast from mud obtained from a mangrove swamp in Zhangzhou, China. The yeast was identified as Sporidiobolus pararoseus by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and partial sequencing of internally transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The isolate, designated, ZMY-1, inhibits Botrytis cinerea both in vitro and in vivo at different concentrations, with increasing effects at higher concentrations. ZMY-1 at 1×108 cells mL−1 significantly inhibits gray mold caused by B. cinerea in strawberries and decreases natural decay without affecting fruit qualities during storage. ZMY-1 survives and grows in wounds and on the surface of strawberry fruit at both 20 °C and 4 °C. Unwashed ZMY-1 cell cultures and washed cell suspensions inhibit B. cinerea in vivo and in vitro, but culture filtrates and autoclaved cultures have no effect, suggesting that ZMY-1 antagonism does not depend on antibacterial compounds. These findings demonstrate that S. pararoseus ZMY-1 has potential use as a biocontrol agent against gray mold on strawberry fruit, without adverse effects on fruit quality.