The main objectives of this study were: (a) to isolate and identify
epiphytic yeasts from grapes collected from Cyprus vineyards,
(b) to evaluate yeast isolates for their efficacy in controlling infection
by A. tubingensis derived from Aspergillus populations present
in the winemaking regions of Limassol, Cyprus (unpublished data).
The evaluation of the antagonists was performed in vitro by the
dual culture technique in agar plates and the isolates exhibiting
antagonistic characteristics were further evaluated for their ability
to protect wine grape berries from A. tubingensis infection, using a
detached berry test in laboratory-scale experiments. The positive
results of several yeast isolates warrant further investigation for
application in field conditions in order to identify strains that have
negative effects on ochratoxigenic fungi proliferation in grapes and
must products.