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Funagl secondary growth is a common post-harvest problem when raw materials are attacked by filamentous fungi during storage,processing or handling.The antifungal protein AFP is secreted from Aspergillus giganteus.It is specifically disturbs the integrity of fungal cell walls and plasma membranes at low concentrations.The applicability of AFP at different steps during malting process, storage of some fruits and vegetables to efficiently prevent secondary growth of filamentous fungi was studied.AFP appeared to be very efficient against the main fungal contaminants.The fungal growth was completely blocked and the mycotoxin was reduced after addition of AFP.Significant improvement in quality parameters and antioxidant activity of AFP- treated malt was observed while chemically treated malts were negatively affected.In vivo experiments showed that AFP could reduce post-harvest diseases on tomato and mango fruits caused by Alternaria alternata.A PCR systems for fungal strains detection and quantification for HACCP applications were established.AFP is considered as an excellent biological alternative to combat fungal growth of filamentous fungi on many foodstuffs.

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Dr.Hassan Barakat is a Lecturer of food technology and microbiology,faculty of agriculture,Benha university,Egypt. He is interested to food microbiology,additives and biotechnology researches,obtained his Ph.D. in 2010,M.Sc. in 2004 and B.Sc. in 1999, member of several scientific societies,published and participated in journals & conferences.

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