ALTERNARIA: Control of Alternaria spp. and their mycotoxins in apple and pear for the production of baby food

Cases demonstrating the presence of species of the genus Alternaria in horticultural products are becoming increasingly frequent. This fungal genus includes pathogenic species that can invade vegetable crops before and after harvest, causing significant economic losses by reducing crop yields and producing alterations in vegetables during storage. The most important species in terms of incidence is Alternaria alternata, but there are a large number of species in this genus with the ability to produce mycotoxins and attack fruits and vegetables. Their water activity and temperature requirements for growth often coincide with the conditions found in fruits.

Exposure to Alternaria toxins has been linked to adverse health effects in humans and animals, and in many cases, they have been shown to have genotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and cytotoxic potential.

Direct consumption of fruits and vegetables with visible fungal alteration is unlikely. However, it is not uncommon to isolate Alternaria toxins from processed foods. Special mention should be made of baby foods made with many of these raw materials. The presence of mycotoxins in processed foods may be a consequence of using raw materials with fungal alterations whose symptoms affect both the external and internal parts, as in the rot of apples, pears, and citrus fruits.

The sweet fruit sector is very important in Lleida, with the production of its derived products such as purees and juices being a prominent economic aspect, especially those intended for children. This incidence can create barriers to the marketing of its products and cause significant economic losses, posing a problem for a sector as important as fruit-based products in Lleida.

• Identify the origin of the problem and isolate Alternaria strains.

• Test compounds with presumed antifungal activity against Alternaria spp. in vitro and in the field.

• Analyze Alternaria spp. mycotoxins by liquid chromatography in products intended for child food prepared from field trials.

• Test the effectiveness of post-harvest treatments on apples and pears inoculated with Alternaria spp.

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