Impact of <i>Erwinia gerundensis</i> as a Biocontrol Agent on the Sanitary and Technological Quality of Barley Malt

This study investigates the use of a barley-associated Erwinia gerundensis strain as biocontrol agent for protection malt against fungal development and mycotoxin production during malting barley. First, antifungal activity E. was studied via simultaneous co-cultures in Yeast Malt broth on barley kernels artificially infected with Fusarium tricinctum. Then, effect load content obtained from naturally contaminated by applying different doses bacterial at steeping step process. Mycotoxin concentrations were determined using technique liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detector tandem (LC-MS/MS). Also, technological quality final evaluated European Brewery Convention standard methods. The reduced enniatin (ENN) 97.7–99.8% 38–68% medium kernels, respectively, along 0–82% tricinctum growth reduction kernels. Application beginning 67–72% its ENN deoxynivalenol (DON) contents 32–50% 15–33%, depending treatment dose. Barley malts treated showed no degradation their quality, thus making potentially interesting brewing industries. Further investigation should be focused improving bioprotective capability proposed agent.