Culturing of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> together with chitosan improves its oxidative stress tolerance and disease defence‐related enzymes

ABSTRACT Inducers can enhance the effect of antagonistic yeast biocontrol, and chitosan, as a common elicitor, is often used in biocontrol. In our study, chitosan was mainly used as an inducer, and the effects of 1% chitosan‐induced culture on the activities of active oxygen‐related substances and enzymes of W. anomalus were studied, and the effects on the integrity and resistance of the yeast cell wall were investigated. The experimental results indicate that after 1% chitosan induction, O2−· production rate and H 2 O 2 content of W. anomalus could be slowed down, the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) can be reduced, and it could increase the activities of POD, CAT, and SOD, and increase the content of GSH enzymes. Meanwhile, the activities of LOW, GR, GPX, GST, CHI, and GLU can be increased, thereby improving the antioxidant ability and resistance to adverse environments of W. anomalus , the cell wall of yeast can remain intact, and improving the ability of yeast to resist biological and non‐biological stresses. The study will improve the theoretical support for the future application of chitosan in biocontrol yeast.