Effect of Trichoderma Bioactive Metabolite Treatments on the Production, Quality, and Protein Profile of Strawberry Fruits

J Agric Food Chem. 2020 Jul 8;68(27):7246-7258. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c01438. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Abstract

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma produce secondary metabolites having several biological activities that affect plant metabolism. We examined the effect of three Trichoderma bioactive metabolites (BAMs), namely, 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6PP), harzianic acid (HA), and hydrophobin 1 (HYTLO1), on yield, fruit quality, and protein representation of strawberry plants. In particular, 6PP and HA increased the plant yield and number of fruits, when compared to control, while HYTLO1 promoted the growth of the roots and increased the total soluble solids content up to 19% and the accumulation of ascorbic acid and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside in red ripened fruits. Proteomic analysis showed that BAMs influenced the representation of proteins associated with the protein metabolism, response to stress/external stimuli, vesicle trafficking, carbon/energy, and secondary metabolism. Results suggest that the application of Trichoderma BAMs affects strawberry plant productivity and fruit quality and integrate previous observations on deregulated molecular processes in roots and leaves of Trichoderma-treated plants with original data on fruits.

Keywords: Fragaria x ananassa; Trichoderma; anthocyanins; antioxidant; bioactive metabolites; polyphenols; proteomics.

MeSH terms

  • Anthocyanins / analysis
  • Anthocyanins / metabolism
  • Ascorbic Acid / analysis
  • Ascorbic Acid / metabolism
  • Fragaria / chemistry
  • Fragaria / drug effects*
  • Fragaria / metabolism
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Fruit / drug effects
  • Fruit / metabolism
  • Hydroxybutyrates / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / drug effects
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Pyrones / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Secondary Metabolism
  • Trichoderma / chemistry*

Substances

  • 6-pentylpyrone
  • Anthocyanins
  • Hydroxybutyrates
  • Pyrones
  • Pyrroles
  • cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside
  • harzianic acid
  • Ascorbic Acid