| Summary: | This study investigates the potential of <i>Pythium oligandrum</i> (strains M1 and 00X48) as a biocontrol agent in suppressing the growth of <i>Fusarium culmorum</i> and the production of mycotoxins during the malting of naturally contaminated barley (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i>). The effects of the biocontrol agent on <i>F. culmorum</i>-infected barley malt (BM) were evaluated through real-time PCR and its impact on mycotoxin production was determined by quantitative analysis of deoxynivalenol (DON) and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G). The effect of treatment on BM and beer quality were also determined through European Brewery Convention (EBC) standard methods. Optimal treatment with <i>P. oligandrum</i> strains M1 and 00X48 yielded a 59% and 48% reduction in <i>F. culmorum</i> contamination, by 37% and 17% lower DON, and 27% and 32% lower D3G, respectively. BM treated with both <i>P. oligandrum</i> strains exhibited quality enhancement; beer produced from the BM treated with <i>P. oligandrum</i> strain M1 resulted in no quality deterioration and with 26% and 18% less DON and D3G, respectively, transferred to the final product.
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