The toxigenic potential of phytopathogenic fungi isolated from pineapple Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. var MD-2 associated with postharvest rot disease

MD-2 pineapple fruits are susceptible to phytopathogenic fungi producing mycotoxins, which can cause up to 40% of postharvest losses. This study aimed to isolate and identify fungi associated with postharvest diseases on pineapple fruits, and mycotoxins produced. Thirty-seven fungal strains were isolated from the pineapple fruit at the full maturation stage. About 51.37% of the fungal strains identified were belonging to Aspergillus. Those fungi that caused diseases in pineapple fruits were Aspergillus sclerotioniger, A. tubingensis, Penicillium citrinum, Fusarium equiseti, Trichoderma asperelliodes and T. asperellum. Aspergillus niger produced the highest ochratoxin A (OTA), scoring 85.51 µg/kg. On the other hand, P. citrinum scored 94.06 µg/kg, the highest quantity of total aflatoxins. This is the first report demonstrating mycotoxigenic fungi's potential to cause infections in postharvest pineapple fruits in Mexico.