Agroindustrial residues exploration to maximize metabolites production in fungal biocontrol co-culture

Agroindustrial residues are generated during several manufacturing procedures, representing an environmental concern, nonetheless, also is an ideal material for microbial support, and biotechnological molecule production. Four fungi: Trichoderma asperellum (TA), Trichoderma harzianum (TH), Aspergillus niger GH1 (A.GH1), and Aspergillus niger PSH (PSH), were investigated in terms of growth rate, co-culture compatibility, and antagonistic assays against Fusarium spp and Colletotrichum spp., for co-culture design. The viability of peanut shells (PS), orange (OP), and melon peels (MP), for Solid State Fermentation was analyzed by proximate, physicochemical characterization, and growth kinetics. SSF extracts were kinetically obtained and their polyphenolic content and in vitro activity against Colletotrichum spp were tested. TA-TH and TH-A.GH1 co-cultures enhance the biocontrol character of single strains through higher growth speeds (0.85-1.57 mm/h) and phytopathogen inhibition for volatile (39.5-67.9%) and nonvolatile (66.3-76.7%) compounds. MP and PS promote higher growth speeds. The 36 h PS TH-TA extract had higher antifungal effects (88.8%). MP and TH-TA co-culture promote the higher polyphenolic content of 1.32 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g at 72 h. SSF rise polyphenol content 85.9% in PS, and 11.1% in MP. The fungal co-culture improves the antifungal activities through multiple biocontrol tools. Agro-wastes represent a green solution for BCA propagation.