The DREAM Project Book of Results - Industrial concerns and needs towards fungal risk assessment

Alternaria species are reported to be the most commonly fungi affecting either tomato fruit and plant causing the so called black mould of tomato. Rapid infection of Alternaria in tomato may occur on the crop or post harvest yielding high economical loss due to spoilage of industrialized products such as tomato purée. Moreover, under specific growth conditions, Alternaria spp. may also produce various mycotoxins which represent a serious risk for human consumption of tomato-based products. Within the frame of this collaboration, the ability to grow and produce mycotoxins were determined as a function of tomato purée pH and temperature of storage. These boundaries and growth simulations will help food industrials to further optimize tomato-based food formulation and shelf-life.