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Loron A., Wang Y., Atanasova V., Richard-Forget F., Gardrat C., Coma V. (2022) Chitosan for eco-friendly control of mycotoxinogenic Fusarium graminearum, Food Hydrocolloids, 2022, 108067, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.108067

Abstract

This work explores the use of chitosan as an active matrix to develop biofungicides. Two chitosans from marine resources, of 4.8 and 78 kg/mol respectively, were structurally characterized. Both chitosans diluted in acidic conditions (lactic or acetic acid at 1 %, v/v) were efficient in reducing the growth of Fusarium graminearum. Ammonium groups of chitosan chains were suggested as key determinants for the polysaccharide’s activity. The chitosan of 78 kg/mol was also efficient in decreasing the production of mycotoxins by F. graminearum leading to an inhibition rate of 70 %. Moreover, the film forming properties of the 78 kg/mol chitosan were physicochemically characterized and used to mimic how the bioformulation should look when sprayed on the plant. Interestingly, the film was proved to totally inhibit the mycelium growth, contrary to a hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose film, an electrically-neutral analogue to our biopolymeric coating of chitosan.