Isolation And Identification Of Fungi Associated With Walnuts, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Cashews, Pistachios And Peanuts Using Molecular Diagnostics Technique(PCR) In The Local Markets Of Kirkuk Governorate / Iraq

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to Isolation and identification of fungi contaminated with walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews,peanuts and pistachios using molecular diagnostics (PCR). Nuts samples were collected with an amount of 2000 grams of walnuts,almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios and peanuts from different locations of the local markets in the city of Kirkuk and intendedfor human consumption for the period. From 15-November-2022 until 20-December-2022.The results of the molecular diagnosisPolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)of the fungi with a sequence analysis and drawing the genetic tree to compare the isolated anddiagnosed fungi with the global isolates associated with the fungal genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Paecilomyces of nuts,Aspergillus flavus species With a percentage of 26.3%, the isolated fungi sequence and prevalence rates were as follows: A.flavus,A.niger, P. aurantiogrise, P. oxalicum, A. fumigatus, Rhizopus stolonifer and Paecillomyces variotti at 26.3%, 19.7%, 15.8%, 13.8%,11.2%, 9.2% and 3.9%, respectively.