Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is a common filamentous fungus widely present in the soil, air, and in crops. This facultative pathogen of both animals and plants produces aflatoxins, a group of mycotoxins with strong teratogenic and carcinogenic properties. Peanuts are highly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination and consumption of contaminated peanuts poses serious threats to the health of humans and domestic animals. Currently, the competitive displacement of aflatoxin-producers from agricultural environments by atoxigenic A. flavus is the most effective method of preventing crop aflatoxin contamination. In the current study, 47 isolates of A. flavus collected from peanut samples originating in Shandong Province were characterized with molecular methods and for aflatoxin-producing ability in laboratory studies. Isolates PA04 and PA10 were found to be atoxigenic members of the L strains morphotype. When co-inoculated with A. flavus NRRL3357 at ratios of 1:10, 1:1, and 10:1 (PA04/PA10: NRRL3357), both atoxigenic strains were able to reduce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels, on both culture media and peanut kernels, by up to 90%. The extent to which atoxigenic strains reduced contamination was correlated with the inoculation ratio. Abilities to compete of PA04 and PA10 were also independently verified against local aflatoxin-producer PA37. The results suggest that the two identified atoxigenic strains are good candidates for active ingredients of biocontrol products for the prevention of aflatoxin contamination of peanuts in Shandong Province.
Highlights
The aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) inhibition rate was as high as 83.39% (Figure S4)
When inoculation ratio genic flavus and atoxigenic parasiticus reduced pre‐harvest aflatoxin contamination was 1:10 (PA04:NRRL3357), the lowest AFB1 inhibition rate occurred 28.46% (Figure S4), of peanuts, and had aaveraging beneficial 6649.8 legacy ng/mL
Since that time several atoxigenic strain-based granular products have been developed for use on peanuts and are in use on commercial peanuts in the US, Senegal, Nigeria, and the Gambia [33,34,35]
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Aflatoxins are a group of toxic, carcinogenic, secondary metabolites produced primarily by members of the Aspergillus section Flavi [1]. Exposure to even small concentrations of aflatoxins may lead to immunosuppression, cancer, and stunted growth, while ingestion of high concentrations may result in acute symptoms including hepatitis, liver necrosis, and death [2]. From 2004 to 2006, a severe outbreak of acute aflatoxin poisoning occurred in
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
