A pipeline to predict the biosafety profile of putative biocontrol yeasts: Papiliotrema terrestris strain PT22AV as a case study

Modern agriculture, especially sustainable plant disease management, faces the challenge of applying the latest and most relevant research to develop new solutions for crop protection. These new tools and protocols should focus on maximizing both the quality and quantity of production, while minimizing environmental impact. Microbe-based formulations could provide a viable solution for plant protection, but there is often a lack of connection between basic research and industrial development. To bridge this gap, new assessments that accommodate the demands of the subsequent registration process should be included. Among these, it is crucial the biosafety profile of a microbial strain in relation to human health. Much is currently known about the pathogenicity of microorganisms towards humans and several phenotypic predictors of virulence have been identified. This research aimed to identify a set of tests suitable for the initial screening stages, which could lead to the selection of safe microbial biocontrol agents. For this purpose, Papiliotrema terrestris strain PT22AV, a biocontrol agent selected for its high antagonistic activity against several plant pathogens, was used as a model microorganism showing a favorable biosafety profile with low potential risk to human health.