Zied ZARAI

Zied ZARAI


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 March 2022 in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
EMEmna Moujehed
Emna Moujehed
ZZZied ZARAI
Zied ZARAI
HKHaifa Khemir
Haifa Khemir
NMNeila Miled
Neila Miled
MBMohamed Salah Bchir
Mohamed Salah Bchir
AAAhmed Aloulou
Ahmed Aloulou

15 July 2025 in Frontiers in Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HGHouda Gharsallah
Houda Gharsallah
MCManel Cheffi
Manel Cheffi
RMRahma Mallek
Rahma Mallek
NONoura Omri
Noura Omri
MTMohamed Ali Triki
Mohamed Ali Triki
ZZZied ZARAI
Zied ZARAI
Introduction: Microbial spoilage and fungal phytopathogen infections significantly reduce the shelf life of perishable foods, creating major challenges for both agriculture and food supply chains. Bacillus species are known producers of antifungal metabolites such as lipopeptides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides.Methods: This study evaluated the antagonistic activity of four Bacillus strains, H6 (Bacillus velezensis), S15 and S40 (Bacillus subtilis), and S32 (Bacillus cereus) against nine fungal phytopathogens, including those affecting tomatoes. Assessment methods included 108 dual-culture assays, in vitro lipopeptide bioassays, VOC-mediated inhibition tests, and PCR screening for genes involved in lipopeptide biosynthesis.Results: Strains H6 and S15 exhibited strong antagonistic effects, inhibiting mycelial growth by up to 78% for Botrytis cinerea (H6) and 87% for S15. Lipopeptide bioassays revealed that purified extracts from H6, S15, and S32 inhibited Rhizoctonia solani mycelial growth by 60%. VOCs produced by all four strains completely inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum and Lasiodiplodia theobromae, with strain S40 showing the strongest VOC-mediated inhibition.Discussion: These results demonstrate the significant antifungal potential of Bacillus strains H6 and S15, which produce iturin/fengycin-type lipopeptides and VOCs, as supported by PCR detection of biosynthetic genes. These strains represent promising candidates for environmentally friendly strategies in food preservation and agricultural biocontrol.

1 March 2020 in Research in Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
FGFadoua Ghanmi
Fadoua Ghanmi
ACAlyssa Carré-Mlouka
Alyssa Carré-Mlouka
ZZZied ZARAI
Zied ZARAI
HMHafedh Mejdoub
Hafedh Mejdoub
JPJean Peduzzi
Jean Peduzzi
SRSylvie Rebuffat
Sylvie Rebuffat

6 May 2026 in Food Science and Biotechnology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
AMAbir MOKNI
Abir MOKNI
HSHaifa Sebii
Haifa Sebii
CBChristophe Blecker
Christophe Blecker
SBSami Boufi
Sami Boufi
ZZZied ZARAI
Zied ZARAI
Souhail BesbesSouhail Besbes
Souhail Besbes