ENNRICH - nouveau projet de recherche à MycSA

Context

Enniatins (ENNs) are a group of cyclohexadepsipetide mycotoxins with ionophoric properties, primarily produced by certain Fusarium species, such as Fusarium avenaceum and Fusarium tricinctum, which contaminate various crops, especially wheat. Consequently, ENNs contaminate wheat-based products such as bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, flour and baby food made from cereals, as well as animal feed. Despite this proven contamination, very few studies have examined the interactions between these mycotoxins and the wheat head microbiota, which is the first microbiota to be exposed following infection by the pathogen. For instance, little is known about the impact of ENNs on wheat microbiota or the ability of wheat-associated microorganisms to biodegrade ENNs. Consequently, the fate of ENNs in the wheat environment is not well understood.

Aim of the project

The ENNRICH project aims to identify and isolate members of the wheat microbiota that can degrade ENNs. The candidate strains will enhance our understanding of the biodegradation pathways of ENNs, enabling us to predict their fate in wheat and the potential contamination of food by their degradation products. The methodology employed will also enable the evaluation of the impact of these mycotoxins at the community level, as well as the identification of the most sensitive taxa within wheat-associated microbial communities.

Work packages

WP1. Sampling and microbial enrichment. Enrichment cultures will be used to select bacterial and fungal species that are tolerant to ENNs and active ENNs degraders by applying selection pressure. This will also enable to determine the impact of ENNs on microbial communities.

WP2. Isolation, screening and ENNs quantification. Bacterial and fungal strains will be isolated from the enriched cultures.

WP3. Amplicon sequencing and community profiling. Total DNA will be extracted from each enrichment step to confirm the simplification of the community has been successful, as well as to analyse shifts in diversity and identify predominant taxa.

WP4. Characterisation of ENN-degrading isolates. The final candidates will be identified through sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and the ITS for fungi. Those isolates showing the highest dissipation rate of ENNs will undergo further characterisation.