Influence of volatile compounds produced by yeasts predominant during processing of Coffea arabica in East Africa on growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production by Aspergillus ochraceus.

The effects of volatile compounds produced during coffee processing by Pichia anomala, P. kluyveri and Hanseniaspora uvarum on growth of Aspergillus ochraceus and production of ochratoxin A (OTA) were studied. On malt extract agar (MEA) and on coffee agar (CA), exposure of A. ochraceus to the gaseous phase of malt yeast glucose peptone (MYGP) plates inoculated with P. anomala, P. kluyveri and H. uvarum inhibited fungal growth, with the two Pichia spp. showing the strongest effect. The main esters and alcohols produced by the three yeasts were ethyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, 2-phenyl ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate and isoamyl alcohol. The individual esters and alcohols were found to affect fungal growth. The most effective compound in inhibiting fungal growth was 2-phenyl ethyl acetate; which at 48 microg/l headspace completely inhibited growth of A. ochraceus. Exposure of A. ochraceus to the gaseous phase of MYGP plates inoculated with P. anomala, P. kluyveri and H. uvarum prevented production of OTA. On CA medium, only the headspace of P. anomala and P. kluyveri prevented OTA production. Furthermore, when A. ochraceus was exposed to the headspace of the individual volatile compounds, 2-phenyl ethyl acetate was the most effective in preventing OTA production. Prevention of OTA seems to be due to reduction of fungal biomass. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.