PATULIN RISK REDUCTION THROUGH AN INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE PRODUCTION OF APPLES AND DERIVATIVES – PATRISK

Patulin is a mycotoxin mainly generated by Penicillium expansum in apple production. It appears essentially during the storage due to the fungus inability to infect apples on trees, but the moment and source of contamination remains uncertain. The gene expression regulation and the toxin production localization in the fungus remain unknown. The objective of the PATRISK project is to reduce patulin contamination of apples and derivatives by preventive actions at harvest and post-harvest stages in orchards and storage places in order to avoid P. expansum contamination, growth and toxin biosynthesis. It is thus necessary: (I) to determine the biochemical and genetic bases of patulin biosynthetic pathway and understand its regulation and cellular compartmentalization, (II) to identify the ways of apple contamination by fungus during harvest and storage with the characterization of the different ecosystems, and their interaction with the pathogen in order to identify potential endogenous antagonists and (III) to develop action to prevent and control contamination compatible with sustainable development concerns. To carry out this program, PATRISK will benefit from a consortium with strong existing connections made up of public laboratories, technical centers, association of industries and industries to bring all the necessary expertise covering the 2 sectors of apple production: cider apple on one side, and eating apple and other processed apples on the other.