Interaction mechanisms of core dominant fungi during fermentation of Massa Medicata Fermentata: volatile compounds of Saccharomycopsis fibuligera inhibit the growth of Rhizopus oryzae.

Saccharomycopsis fibuligera suppresses Rhizopus oryzae growth and amylase activity in MMF co-cultures, with significant inhibition at ≥1×10^7 cells·mL^−1.

• Why it matters: MMF quality depends on microbial interactions, but the specific antagonistic mechanisms between core fungi are unclear, limiting targeted control and standardization.
• What they did: The study used in vitro co-culture assays and HS-SPME-GC-MS to profile yeast-secreted VOCs, then tested single VOCs and assessed effects with SEM, PI staining, and biochemical assays.
• The result: Six major VOCs were identified, and 2-phenylethanol (0.5664 ± 0.0422 μg·g^−1 medium) plus isoamyl acetate and ethyl hexanoate completely inhibited R. oryzae at elevated doses, inducing cell death via membrane disruption, ergosterol inhibition, and lipid peroxidation.

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