Dalia Sukmawati, Shabrina Nida Al Husna, Allika Firhandini, Dwi Ningsih Susilowati, R. Haryo Bimo Setiarto, Lutfi Anshory, Lutfi Anggadhania, Mavis Agyeiwaa Acheampong, Hesham Ali El Enshasy
This study investigated the inhibitory potential and mechanisms of four yeast isolates obtained from cocoa bean fermentation against three fungal pathogens of cocoa pods. Molecular identification revealed that the yeast isolates UNJCC Y-158 and UNJCC Y-159 corresponded to Rhodotorula alborubescens and Meyerozyma guilliermondii, respectively, while UNJCC Y-160 and UNJCC Y-161 were Pichia kudriavzevii. All four yeast isolates demonstrated inhibitory potential against the tested fungi pathogens of cocoa pods: Fusarium decemcellulare UNJCC F9, Fusarium solani UNJCC F18, and Colletotrichum siamense UNJCC F14. The results showed that Pichia kudriavzevii UNJCC Y-160 and UNJCC Y-161 exhibited the highest inhibition against the tested fungi, with inhibition percentages ranging from 12.61–34.64%. In contrast, Rhodotorula alborubescens UNJCC Y-158 and Meyerozyma guilliermondii UNJCC Y-159 displayed weaker inhibition, with inhibition percentages ranging from 2.93–10.68%. Antagonism, hyperparasitism, and the production of volatile compounds were observed as mechanisms for inhibition. Microscopic observations revealed that yeast cells attach to the fungal hyphae, causing morphological changes such as thinning and shrinking, likely due to the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, including cellulase, produced by the yeasts. This study offers a promising alternative to chemical fungicides by utilising natural yeast isolates as biocontrol agents, thereby contributing to sustainable and environmentally friendly cocoa disease management strategies. © 2025 by the authors.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, 13220, Indonesia; Universitas Negeri Culture Collection, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, 13220, Indonesia; Department of Microbiology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia; Research Centre for Horticulture, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor km 46, West Java, Cibinong Bogor, 16915, Indonesia; Research Center for Applied Microbiology, National Research and Innovation Agency, KST Soekarno, West Java, 16911, Indonesia; Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 44, Accra, Legon, Ghana; Innovation Centre in Agritechnology in Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Higher Education Hup, Johor, Pagoh, Malaysia
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