Biocontrol of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production by kefir-derived microorganisms under simulated storage conditions

Biocontrol of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production by kefir-derived microorganisms under simulated storage conditions | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Biocontrol of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production by kefir-derived microorganisms under simulated storage conditions Teresa Alconada, Candela Moure, Mariana Gonda, Diego Cristos, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6895133/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 31 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology → Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The kefir granules are a microbial consortium with numerous properties, among which their antifungal action has been reported. This study characterize the antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus of water kefir granules and two microorganisms isolated from them, identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Geotrichum candidum. The study was carried out under minisilo conditions designed to simulate the aerobic phase of commercial corn storage. In dual culture plate assays, A. flavus was inhibited in close contact with both isolates, and mycelial weakening with lower conidia production was observed. Soluble metabolites of microorganisms inhibited conidial germination by 92% (G. candidum) and 65% (S. cerevisiae), while volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reduced mycelial growth by 29.09% and 37.87%, respectively. Kefir granules offers a dual advantage: multi-mechanistic antifungal action and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, positioning it as a safe and sustainable alternative. Also in corn minisilo trials water kefir granules and both microorganisms demonstrated strong antifungal activity by day 4, with qPCR of A. flavus DNA and aflatoxin analyses revealing near complete inhibition. The stability and antifungal properties of the selected kefir microorganisms in minisilos highlight their importance as potential large-scale postharvest protection agents. Aflatoxins Antifungal capacity Aspergilllus flavus Kefir grains Kefir microorganisms Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 31 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 08 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 08 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 31 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Aug, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 28 Aug, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 16 Jun, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 16 Jun, 2025 First submitted to journal 14 Jun, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6895133","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":508190443,"identity":"4d4ccfbb-6d01-4937-9dd5-18bb19e5f390","order_by":0,"name":"Teresa 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