Biological control of Aspergillus flavus in peanut and maize kernel using Pantoea vagans BWL1

Aspergillus flavus infenction of crops, which are common worldwide, are a significant threat to human and animal health. In this study, the antagonistic effects of Pantoea vagans strain BWL1 on A. flavus were analyzed. BWL1 effectively inhibited A. flavusconidial germination, vegetative growth, and sporulation. Notably, A. flavus infections and aflatoxin contents decreased in peanut and maize samples treated with BWL1. A GC–MS analysis and a two-sealed-base-plates assay showed that BWL1 can produce several antifungal volatiles, including 2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, hexamethyl-cyclotrisiloxane, phenylethyl alcohol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, pentadecane, tetradecane, heptadecane, and n-hexadecanoic acid, with MICs of 0.2, 0.8, 16, 0.8, 0.2, 8, 8, 8, and 8 g/L, respectively. Among these volatiles, 2,5-dimethyl-pyrazine, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, phenylethyl alcohol, and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol had substantial inhibitory effects on A. flavus infection of peanuts and maize kernels. The study findings suggest that P. vagans BWL1 may be an potential biocontrol agent for the postharvest management of A. flavus in crops. This is the first report regarding the antifungal effects of P. vagans BWL1 on A. flavus.