Meta-Hort- How agronomic factors affect the microbiome of the Horticulture Produce
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4598-6622
Department
Biological Sciences
Year of Study
3
Full-time or Part-time Study
Full-time
Level
Postgraduate
Name of Course
Doctor of Philosophy
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Supervisor
Dr Micheal Gaffney
Supervisor
Dr Caitriona Guinane
Supervisor
Dr Orla O’Sullivan
Abstract
Fresh fruits and vegetables are increasingly recognised as reservoirs of complex microbial communities with potential implications for host health. While their nutritional value is well established, the influence of agronomic variables, such as cultivation substrate, harvest timing, and postharvest handling, on the structure and function of produce-associated microbiota remains insufficiently characterised.
This study investigates how pre- and postharvest factors modulate the surface microbiome of fruits and vegetables, using an integrated approach that combines culture-based microbiology, shot-gun sequencing, and ex-vivo gut models. Microbial community composition and functional capacity are being assessed, with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production serving as a key indicator of potential gut health benefits.
Preliminary data suggest that production variables significantly influence microbial diversity and functional output, with specific taxa enriched under defined conditions. Select isolates exhibiting probiotic potential have also been identified from strawberry and mushroom surfaces. These insights advance our understanding of how horticultural practices intersect with microbial ecology and inform strategies to enhance the health-promoting potential of fresh produce.
Keywords:
produce microbiome, gut health, postharvest storage, strawberries, broccoli, probiotics
Start Date
16-6-2025 1:45 PM
End Date
16-6-2025 2:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Bohra, Maryada, "Meta-Hort- How agronomic factors affect the microbiome of the Horticulture Produce" (2025). ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting). 4.
https://sword.mtu.ie/orbiom/2025/oral2/4
Meta-Hort- How agronomic factors affect the microbiome of the Horticulture Produce
Fresh fruits and vegetables are increasingly recognised as reservoirs of complex microbial communities with potential implications for host health. While their nutritional value is well established, the influence of agronomic variables, such as cultivation substrate, harvest timing, and postharvest handling, on the structure and function of produce-associated microbiota remains insufficiently characterised.
This study investigates how pre- and postharvest factors modulate the surface microbiome of fruits and vegetables, using an integrated approach that combines culture-based microbiology, shot-gun sequencing, and ex-vivo gut models. Microbial community composition and functional capacity are being assessed, with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production serving as a key indicator of potential gut health benefits.
Preliminary data suggest that production variables significantly influence microbial diversity and functional output, with specific taxa enriched under defined conditions. Select isolates exhibiting probiotic potential have also been identified from strawberry and mushroom surfaces. These insights advance our understanding of how horticultural practices intersect with microbial ecology and inform strategies to enhance the health-promoting potential of fresh produce.