MALDI-TOF MS to identify the pineapple pathogen Fusarium guttiforme and its antagonist Trichoderma asperellum on decayed pineapple

Abstract

Matrix-assisted laser desorption⁄ionisation time-of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been used to identify some Fusarium and Trichoderma species, but early detection of fungal diseases by this technique has not yet been fully addressed. In this study, MALDI-TOF MS was tested to identify F. guttiforme on pineapple side shoots in situ. The efficacy of filamentous fungi for controlling fungal diseases is well documented. However, there is uncertainty whether the biocontrol agent is out growing the pathogen sufficiently to be identified. In this paper, a multistep identification of a plant pathogen (F. guttiforme) and its antagonist (T. asperellum) using MALDI-TOF MS is demonstrated.