Strains Of Aspergillus Flavus Research Articles

Impact of water activity on the radial growth of fungi in a dairy environment

Filamentous fungi are used in the dairy industry as adjunct cultures in fermented products, but can also lead to food spoilage, waste and economic losses. The control of filamentous fungi with abiotic factors contributes to longer food shelf life and prevention of fungal spoilage. One of the main abiotic factors for controlling fungal growth in foods is water activity (aw). This study aimed to evaluate radial growth as a function of aw for sixteen fungal adjuncts and/or spoilers isolated from dairy products or a dairy environment. Glycerol (a non-ionic compound) and sodium chloride (NaCl, an ionic compound) were used to adjust the aw of culture media. This study showed significant diversity in the responses of the tested fungal strains as a function of medium aw. The growth response of Penicillium bialowiezense and Sporendonema casei was binary, with no clear decrease of growth rate until the growth limit, when the aw was reduced. For the strains of Bisifusarium domesticum, Mucor circinelloides and Penicillium camemberti, a decrease of aw had the same impact on radial growth rate regardless of the aw belonging to their growth range. For the strains of Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium herbarum, Geotrichum candidum, Mucor lanceolatus, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium fuscoglaucum, Penicillium nalgiovense, Paecilomyces niveus, Penicillium roqueforti, Penicillium solitum and Scopulariopsis asperula, the impact of a decrease in aw was more pronounced at high aw than at low aw. A mathematical model was suggested to describe this impact on the radial growth rate. For all tested species, radial growth was more sensitive to NaCl than glycerol. The ionic strength of NaCl mainly explains the difference in the effects of the two solutes.

Insight into the antifungal effect of chitosan-conjugated metal oxide nanoparticles decorated on cellulosic foam filter for water filtration

Worldwide, fungal contamination of water resources has become a major threat to both human health and the environment. The adaptation of nanotechnology in conventional water processes is significant to offer new breakthroughs in water treatment, especially fungal contaminants. Chitosan conjugated metal oxide nanoparticles can affect the antimicrobial properties of cellulosic foam. In the present study, three different types of biocompatible nanoconjugates (i.e., ZnO/chitosan, CuO/chitosan, and Ag2O/chitosan) were synthesized for functionalization of five differently processed cellulose foam filters for resisting fungal spores during water treatment. To evaluate the antifungal effect of these nanoconjugates against prevalent strains of Aspergillus niger (A. niger), Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), and Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae), the stable coating was introduced on different cellulose filter papers through impregnation. The statistical analysis of antifungal experiment was carried out by two-way factorial ANOVA test. Cellulose filter containing ZnO/chitosan displayed a stronger antifungal behavior in disc diffusion method than those impregnated with CuO/chitosan, and Ag2O/chitosan nanoconjugates. Besides the choice of nanoconjugates, the variation in cellulose foam filters (in terms of concentration of their raw materials and/or processing methodology) can also affect their antifungal performance. Further, the assessment of cytotoxic nature of such nanocomposites-modified cellulose foam filters is a fundamental step towards their real field applications.

Unveiling the cellular and molecular mode of action of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell. essential oil against aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus isolated from stored maize samples

This study aimed to reveal the bio-efficacy of Melaleuca cajuputi essential oil (McEO) against aflatoxigenic fungi and lipid peroxidation causing deterioration of stored maize samples. Three different toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus, namely AF-LHP-M2, AF-LHP-SP2, and AF-LHP-VS8 were investigated. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of EO revealed the presence of α-pinene (49.24%) as major compound. Investigation on efficacy showed that McEO exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against growth and AFB1 production by AF-LHP-M2 (2.0 and 1.4 μL mL−1, respectively), AF-LHP-SP2 (1.2 and 1.0 μL mL−1, respectively), and AF-LHP-VS8 (0.8 μL mL−1) (p < 0.05). The McEO inhibited fungal growth via inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis, cellular constituents' leakage, and damage of mitochondrial membrane potential, while AFB1 production by inhibition of intracellular methylglyoxal. Further, molecular docking study was carried out to unveil the binding affinities of major compounds with the target protein Nor-1 (primarily catalyze an important step in AFB1 biosynthesis), and the results revealed good correlation with the experimental findings. In addition, McEO showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity with IC50 values 3.16 and 4.29 μL mL−1, respectively. Interestingly, McEO inhibited AFB1 production, and malondialdehyde content in fumigated maize samples without significantly (p < 0.05) changing their sensory attributes, ascertaining its efficacy in food system with high safety profile (LD50 = 1800 mg kg−1 body weight) on mice model. The overall results proved McEO's potential as natural food preservative of stored food products.

Optimisation of patchoulol in the lipid-soluble concentrates of Pogostemon cablin using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with genetic algorithms (GA)

Pogostemon cablin Benth. contains abundance of patchoulol as one of the bioactive components. The present study demonstrated comprehensive optimizations of ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) to achieve maximum lipid-soluble extract comprising highest patchoulol content by response surface methodology (RSM) followed by genetic algorithms (GA) approach. The extraction variables such as solute to solvent ratio (UAE, 10–30 g mL−1; MAE, 40–60 g mL−1), time (UAE, 10–20 min; MAE, 30–120 s) and sono-frequency (30–50 kHz) or microwave power (300–900 W) exerted significant influence on the yield and patchoulol content. RSM based optimizations for UAE resulted maximum yield of 182.24 mg/g of plant material consisting 48.84% patchoulol, while, yield 227.46 mg/g of plant material comprising 30.60% patchoulol were recorded under MAE. With the use of GA, the optimized values were further refined to obtain maximum yield of 207.87 mg/g of plant material comprising of 53.45% patchoulol under UAE, whereas, maximum 230.03 mg/g of plant material yield consisting of 31.71% patchoulol was achieved using MAE. UAE and MAE based kinetic modeling studies revealed involvement of more than one extraction mechanisms to achieve maximum yield and patchoulol (%). Further, higher extraction yield using MAE and UAE were also explained from the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images, showing disintegration of matrix cell wall with numerous fractures leading to better dissolution of phytoconstituents in the extracting medium. Additionally, patchoulol content in the extract was significantly enhanced to 92.70% using silica gel. Patchoulol 92.70% and 53.45% containing extracts displayed excellent fungal mycelial inhibition against virulent strains of Aspergillus flavus (EC50 27.0–29.2 μg mL−1) and A. fumigatus (EC50 41.5–57.2 μg mL−1), respectively.

Lab-scale bioremediation technology: Ex-situ bio-removal and biodegradation of waste cooking oil by Aspergillus flavus USM-AR1

Large amounts of waste cooking oil from residential areas can cause adverse effect on the environment if not disposed properly. Fungi have a higher tolerance to hydrocarbon toxicity due to their physiology and adaptation to the environment. Consequently, they can be employed in bioremediation to reduce waste oils release to the environment. This work aims to bio-remove and biodegrade the waste cooking oil using a newly isolated strain Aspergillus flavus USM-AR1, in stirred tank reactor (STR). The strain showed remarkable removal activity of waste cooking oil. The removal efficiency of waste cooking oil reached 97% on day 3 of cultivation. This was attained when the culture was agitated at 400 rpm, maintaining the Reynold’s number of that obtained in the shake flask culture. Fortuitously, the best dispersion of waste cooking oil was also obtained at 400 rpm. The highest cell surface hydrophobicity (MATH) at 76.42% was observed at day 3 of cultivation. The maximum biosurfactant and emulsification activity occurred at day 2 of cultivation, which were 43 mm and 44%, respectively. Cell surface hydrophobicity and biosurfactant produced by strain Aspergillus flavus USM-AR1 played an important role in bio-removal of waste cooking oil, making this strain a prospective candidate for treating waste cooking oil.

Review on Public Health Effects of Aflatoxins in Milk and Milk-Based Foodstuffs of Dairy Cow

Aflatoxins are toxigenic metabolites that are definitely occurring by lethal strains of Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus that commonly dwell and colonize in feed components and various nutritive foodstuffs particularly milk and milk based products. This Review has three main objectives; those are causes of aflatoxin, effects and methods of control in milk and milk products. Drinking of cow milk polluted with aflatoxin may overwhelm immunity and subsidize to stunting in young children, as the young children are not immune-competent during early stage. It has been internationally assessed that aflatoxin is possibly accountable for 30% of the annual cases of liver cancer. Generally, control approaches of aflatoxin can be applied during pre-harvest, cautious management in the time of harvest and postharvest decontamination. Moreover, choosing breed for aflatoxin impervious crop diversities, prevention of aflatoxin production through biological decontamination by microorganisms and their metabolites, rejection of aflatoxin by physical means in addition to inactivation by chemicals are the typical approaches that have been described in different studies. For the reason that cow milk is the most important and principal diet of children, but the risk of exposed to the cancer are more in infants. In addition, according to various investigations it also well thought that young animals are also found to be more vulnerable to aflatoxin than adults. Thus; the contamination of cow milk and milk products by AFM1 should understood as undesirable for young human and animals.

Elucidating Therapeutic and Biological Potential of Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt Bark, Leaf, and Root Extracts.

Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt is a medicinal plant known to have potential for the treatment of various diseases. In the present study, the ethanolic extracts of the bark, leaves, and roots of B. baluchistanica plant were evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial, anti-leishmanial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined by agar mix and agar well diffusion method. All extracts showed potential activity against the target bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Rhodococcus erythropolis, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Mucor mucedo). S. aureus proved to be the most sensitive strain for each extract, with a maximum zone of inhibition for bark at 23 ± 0.12 mm, for leaves at 22 ± 0.36 mm, and for root extracts at 20.21 ± 0.06 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration values of B. baluchistanica bark, leaves, and roots for different target bacterial strains ranged from 1.56 to 25 mg ml–1, and the minimum bactericidal concentrations were in the range of 3.12 to 25 mg ml–1, respectively. The root extract possessed potent antifungal activity against A. flavus with 83% of growth inhibition, A. niger with 80%, and M. mucedo with 73%. The bark extract was found active against M. mucedo with 86% of inhibition, followed by 70% against A. flavus and 60% against A. niger. The leaf extract showed a significant response by 83% inhibition against M. mucedo, followed by A. flavus and A. niger with 73 and 72% inhibition, respectively. In an anti-leishmanial bioassay, the inhibitory concentration (IC50) was observed for each extract against Leishmania major. The bark showed good activity (IC50 = 4.95 ± 0.36 mg/ml), followed by the roots (IC50 = 7.07 ± 0.18 mg/ml) and the leaves (IC50 = 8.25 ± 0.29 mg/ml). An evaluation of anticancer activity was done by using MTT cell assay against HeLa cell line. Upon comparing the values of each extract to the standard, it was revealed that the ethanolic bark extract showed the highest anticancer activity with IC50 = (12 ± 0.15 μg/ml), followed by the roots (14 ± 0.15 μg/ml) and the leaves (17 ± 0.21 μg/ml), respectively. The anti-inflammatory assay was undertaken by the inhibition of albumin denaturation activity, proteinase inhibitory activity, and heat-induced hemolysis activity. The IC50 value for protein denaturation of the bark was IC50 = 0.64 ± 0.25 mg/ml, followed by the roots (0.67 ± 0.21 mg/ml) and the leaves (0.73 ± 0.13 mg/ml). The proteinase inhibitory activity of the bark extract was IC50 = 0.55 ± 0.12 mg/ml, followed by the leaves (0.62 ± 0.23 mg/ml) and the roots (0.69 ± 0.15 mg/ml), respectively. For heat-induced hemolysis assay, the bark showed the lowest IC50 value (0.48 ± 0.15 mg/ml) compared to the leaves (0.52 ± 0.35 mg/ml) and the roots (0.58 ± 0.05 mg/ml) of the plant. All analyzed parts of the B. baluchistanica plant showed significant biological activities which make the plant medicinally important and a good candidate for the isolation of antimicrobial, inflammatory, and anticancer compounds. Further studies may lead us to determine the active compounds responsible for the biological activities of the plant extracts.

Secondary metabolites produced by solid-state fermentation of a neotropical Aspergillus flavus strain confer anti-mosquito activity with long shelf-life

Fungal metabolites have shown promising potential as alternative tools for controlling mosquito larvae. Here, we evaluated the insecticidal activities of secondary metabolites (smAf) obtained by solid-state fermentation (SSF) of maize substrate inoculated with spores of the fungi Aspergillus flavus and evaluated the smAf toxicity against Aedes aegypti larvae. We further applied computational approaches to predict the interactions of three potential constituents of smAf with the A. aegypti acetylcholinesterases, which consists of a relevant physiological target for insecticides. Our results revealed that esters [Hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester; (E, E) − 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester; (E, E) - 11,14-eicosadecanoic acid, methyl ester; (Z, Z) − 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, ethyl ester]; chromene [2,5,5,8a-tetramethyloctahydro-2Hchromene]; fatty acids [Hexadecenoic acid] and aromatic compounds [2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde, propyl ether; 3-hydroxy-4-propionylphenyl acetate; N-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl) acetamide] were present in smAf. Toxicological bioassays demonstrated that smAf exhibited similar mosquitocidal activities against A. aegypti mosquito larvae just after obtention and after 48 storage months. Our computational predictions revealed the 2,5,5,8a-tetramethyloctahydro-2 H-chromene and acetylcholinesterase as the interaction with the highest binding energy (−7.3 kcal/mol). Our findings reinforce the mosquitocidal potential of smAf and demonstrate its efficacy, even after a long storage period.

Mixed ligand complexes of nickel (ii): Synthesis and bio medicinal studies

Mixed ligand nickel (II), complexes of 2, 2 bipridyle and thioamides of 2-aminopyridine, 2-aminoadinine, 2-aminoguanine and 2-aminocytocine were prepared. The success of synthesis was confirmed through physical and spectral characterization on the basis of IR and NMR spectroscopy, antimicrobial and antitumour studies. The synthesized compounds were found to be active against the tested three bacterial strains (Pseudomanas auruginosa, Klebseila pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus), two fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus nigar) and antitumour activity against MCF-7 (Human breast adenocarcinoma) cell line.

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance Aspergillus flavus strain MUCL54911.

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State, Italy, for the pesticide active substance Aspergillus flavus strain MUCL54911 and the considerations as regards the inclusion of the substance in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative use of Aspergillus flavus strain MUCL54911 as a biocontrol agent for reduction of aflatoxins contamination on maize (field application). The reliable endpoints, appropriate for use in regulatory risk assessment, are presented. Missing information identified as being required by the regulatory framework is listed. Concerns are identified.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2‐arylquinoline‐3‐fused thiazolo[2,3‐c]1,2,4‐triazole heterocycles as potential antiproliferative and antimicrobial agents

AbstractA series of novel 2‐arylquinoline‐3‐fused thiazolo[2,3‐c]1,2,4‐triazole heterocycles 9a‐t were efficiently synthesized using simple conventional methods in good yields. The structure of newly synthesized molecules was characterized on the basis of their IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data. Among 9a‐t, compounds 9h, 9n, 9b and 9d exhibited highly significant antiproliferative activity against two cancer cell lines C6 (nerve cells) and MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma cells) when compared with standard reference Doxorubicin. In vitro antimicrobial activities of target compounds 9h, 9b, 9d, 9m and 9n were effectuated on Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aurus (ATCC 25923), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) and Gram‐negative strains Klebsiella Pneumonia (ATCC 31488) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25966) strains and found to exhibit promising activity against standard Ciprofloxacin drug. Further, when in vitro antifungal activity was conducted on Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger strains 9h, 9b, 9d and 9n were exhibited potent activity when compared with standard Fluconazole drug moiety.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles incorporated with zinc oxide as a novel antifungal agent against toxigenic fungi strains

Developing environmentally friendly alternative strategies to reduce the damage caused by fungi in agriculture has been widely investigated. In this study, we evaluated using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) incorporated with zinc oxide (MSNs–ZnO) as a potential antifungal agent against Fusarium graminearum and Aspergillus flavus strains, as well as their antimycotoxin properties. The MSNs that synthesized and characterized could release abundant ZnO in the first 24 h. Subsequently, the ZnO release became slower, providing greater durability of the antifungal effect. Significant (P < 0.001) growth reductions in F. graminearum (81%) and A. flavus (65%) compared to the control were obtained at a high concentration of the MSNs–ZnO (1.0 mg mL−1). Moreover, the MSNs–ZnO treatment at a high concentration (1.0 mg mL−1) caused morphology alteration in both fungi, showing ruptures and deformations in the fungal hyphae, affecting their growth and toxin production. A significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the productions of deoxynivalenol (89%) and aflatoxin B1 (58%) by F. graminearum and A. flavus were also observed. These findings imply that using MSNs as the carriers of zinc compounds, such as ZnO, could be investigated as a safe alternative for effectively controlling toxigenic fungi in agriculture.

Draft Genome Sequence of an Aflatoxin-Producing Aspergillus flavus Strain Isolated from Food.

ABSTRACTAspergillus flavus is the main producer of carcinogenic aflatoxins and thus is one of the most important fungal food contaminants. Here, we report that the genome of A. flavus strain MRI19 was sequenced using MiSeq and PacBio platforms and that a hybrid assembly was generated.

Detection of Aspergillus flavus in Wheat Grains Using Anti-mannoprotein (MP1) and Spore Protein Polyclonal Antibodies

Cell wall mannoprotein (MP1) gene of an aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus, isolated from stored wheat grains, was cloned and sequenced. MP1 protein was expressed in E. coli in soluble form and purified. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against recombinant MP1 protein and inactivated spores of this fungus in rabbit and purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, Protein A sepharose and antigen affinity chromatography. The minimum concentration of purified mycelial or spore proteins that could be detected by ELISA was determined as 100ng using 2µg of these antibodies. The anti-MP1 antibody was found more sensitive than anti-spore protein antibody. Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis showed reactivity of these antibodies to various proteins (30 to 200kDa) distributed throughout the surface of mycelia and spore of A. flavus. Cross-reactivity of these antibodies was detected with fungi belonging to different Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Alternaria species out of fourteen different fungal species tested. In fungal contaminated wheat grains, these antibodies could detect presence of as low as 1µg mycelia or 103 spores per gram of wheat grains using ELISA. The results suggest that the developed antibodies could be successfully applied for the detection of predominant fungal infestation in stored wheat grains.

ASSESSMENT OF FARMER'S AWARENESS IN HARVESTING AND POSTHARVEST HANDLING PRACTICES FOR MANAGEMENT OF AFLATOXINS ON MAIZE IN MOROGORO REGION

Aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus that are found in several crops. This toxin is produced by Aspergillus flavus in food and feeds results in adverse health effects for humans and animals, as well as economic barriers to farmers and countries. This study aimed to assess the awareness of farmers in harvesting and postharvest handling practices for the management of Aflatoxin in maize. The assessment was conducted using questionnaire to capture data on bio-data information, farmer’s awareness on aflatoxin contamination, harvesting time, post-harvesting practices, and storage facilities. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25. The result shows that 65.63% of farmers in Kilosa and 67.28% of farmers in Gairo districts were aware of aflatoxin contamination. The study revealed that, during harvesting time, 92% of farmers at Kilosa and 98% of farmers in Gairo district harvest maize when completely dry. In drying practice, the use of canvas had higher usage compared to other practices where 42.70% of farmers in Kilosa and 16.70% of farmers in the Gairo district were using canvas. Additionally, it was observed that the majority of farmers in both districts store their maize by using storage bags/sacks that favor the rise of insect/pest contamination. The study suggests that there is a need for establishing an educational campaign for maize farmers on the effect of aflatoxin contamination to improve their awareness. The knowledge should base on harvesting, drying practices, and modern storage facilities that can reduce aflatoxin contamination.

Использование метаболитов споровых пробиотиков совместно с антимикотическими средствами в отношении штаммов Aspergillus niger и Aspergillus flavus

The article describes a method for determining the activity of antimycotic preparations and their combination with the metabolite Bacillus subtilis for strains Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus. The article pays attention to the problem of currently increasing resistance of microscopic fungi to the biocidal drugs used, which is the result of the work of adaptation mechanisms of microscopic fungi leading to the appearance and selection of strains with an unusually high minimum suppressive concentration or resulting from the use of preparations to which the strains were initially sensitive. The presented results reflect the effectiveness of the use of spore probiotics metabolites together with anti-mycotic agents for Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus strains.

Biodiversity and Distribution of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Aspergillus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and Their Toxins in Maize from Western and Eastern Regions of South Africa

Aspergillus species and aflatoxins production are more prevalent during times of high heat and drought. In South Africa, there is frequent occurrence of drought as a result of climate change. The aim of this study was to investigate the biodiversity and distribution of Aspergillus species with their corresponding toxins in maize from main maize producing regions of South Africa; [Western Regions (WR) and Eastern Regions (ER)]. One hundred and twenty-three (64 from WR and 59 from ER) maize samples from the two agro-climatic regions in South Africa were analyzed using cultural, molecular and analytical methods. Across agro-climatic regions, Aspergillus species contaminated about 62% of the maize samples, while Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent (47.15%) followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (4.69%) while the least was Aspergillus parasiticus (0.81%). The Western Regions showed a higher distribution of varieties of Aspergillus species compared to the Eastern Regions. Aflatoxins contaminated only 27.64% of the maize samples with a mean total aflatoxin concentration of 2.40 μg/kg which is below the South Africa’s set standard for total aflatoxin in food (5 μg/kg). About 10.57% of the samples produce aflatoxins above the 5 μg/kg permissible limit for total aflatoxin in foods. The ratio of toxigenic to atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus was generally low in all the regions of South Africa. This study could aid policy makers to make informed decisions in developing remediation strategies for Aspergillus mycotoxins.

Purification and Characterization of Laccase Enzyme from Locally Isolated Aspergillus flavus Strain

Purification and Characterization of Laccase Enzyme from Locally Isolated Aspergillus flavus Strain

The influence of ultraviolet radiation on aflatoxin producing Aspergillus species' isolated from Iranian rice

Cereal grains are a favorable habitat for aflatoxin- producing fungus to develop. the current investigation was carried out to evaluate the quantity and kind of contaminated imported grains and rice generated in the province of Shiraz, Iran. A total of 60 random rice samples were taken from paddy fields in October and November 2020. Aspergillus genera were detected using PCR. HPLC was used to determine the quantity and type of aflatoxin and mycotoxins in samples collected. Irradiation studies were carried out utilizing a collimated beam system with wavelengths ranging from 200 to 360 nm. The quality of rice was assessed using UV light therapy on some of the changed factors, such as amylose content, aroma, and brightness [P < 0.05]. Aspergillus genera were found in 33.3% [20 samples of 60] of rice samples after morphological and molecular analysis of the ITS gene. According to the sequencing experiment, 12 strains [60%] were identified as Aspergillus flavus, whereas 8 strains [40%] were identified as Aspergillus parasiticus. Ver-1 and afl-R genes were positive in 12/12 [100%] Aspergillus flavus and 87.5% in Aspergillus parasiticus. According to the HPLC findings, three Aspergillus parasiticus strains [37.5%] were able to create all four types of aflatoxins, and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 were produced by 16.6% of Aspergillus flavus strains. Aflatoxin-1 (AFG1) was lowered to 35.1, 48.2, 59.9, and 65.2%, significantly, at doses of 1.22, 2.44, 3.66, and 4.88 Jcm−2 [P < 0.01]. Furthermore, at doses of 1.22, 2.44, 3.66, and 4.88 Jcm−2, AFB2 and AFG2 was shown to be reduced by 13.1%, 11.7%, 30.3%, and 28.9%. [P < 0.05]. At a maximum dose of 4.88 Jcm−2, AFB1 was shown to be extremely susceptible to UV irradiation, with a > 70% decrease seen [P < 0.001]. Our findings imply that UV irradiation with lower energy and lower danger can help minimize aflatoxin contamination in food.

Effect of Acclimatization in Elevated CO2 on Growth and Aflatoxin B1 Production by Aspergillus flavus Strains on Pistachio Nuts.

There is little knowledge of the effect of acclimatization of Aspergillus flavus strains to climate-related abiotic factors and the subsequent effects on growth and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production. In this study, two strains of A. flavus (AB3, AB10) were acclimatized for five generations in elevated CO2 (1000 ppm × 37 °C) on a milled pistachio-based medium. A comparison was made of the effects of non-acclimatized strains and those that were acclimatized when colonizing layers of pistachio nuts exposed to 35 or 37 °C, 400 or 1000 ppm CO2, and 0.93 or 0.98 water activity (aw), respectively. Acclimatization influenced the fitness in terms of the growth of one strain, while there was no significant effect on the other strain when colonizing pistachio nuts. AFB1, production was significantly stimulated after ten days colonization when comparing the non-acclimatized and the acclimatized AB3 strain. However, there was no significant increase when comparing these for strain AB10. This suggests that there may be inter-strain differences in the effects of acclimatization and this could have a differential influence on the mycotoxin contamination of such commodities.