Mycobiota dynamics and mycotoxin detection in PGI Salame Piemonte

Aims: The complex mycobiota that colonizes traditional fermented sausages plays an important role in the organoleptic properties of such products. The aim of the present study was to investigate fungal diversity and mycotoxin production during maturation of PGI Salame Piemonte.

Methods and results: Casing and meat samples were collected at five sampling times from three different batches produced in the same factory and analysed using culture-dependent and independent approaches. Penicillium nalgiovense, which was deliberately inoculated, and Debaryomyces hansenii were the most dominant taxa in casings. Several other fungi mainly belonging to Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium glabrum, Penicillium nordicum, Cladosporium spp., Candida sake, Candida zeylanoides and Yarrowia divulgata were also identified. The casing mycobiota was compared to that of the meat using a metataxonomic approach and a higher fungal diversity was observed in meat as compared to casings. Mycotoxins and penicillin G were monitored using QTOF LC-MS and only trace amounts of roquefortine C were detected in two batches.

Conclusions: The present study highlighted the diversity of Salame Piemonte mycobiota and the important contribution of autochthonous fungi to its diversity. The absence of mycotoxins and penicillin G confirmed the high hygienic quality of the studied product regarding fungal and mycotoxin contamination.

Significance and impact of the study: For the first time, this study provides insights about Salame Piemonte mycobiota, which together with the bacterial microbiota and Salame Piemonte process specifications, are responsible for the product organoleptic properties.