不产毒黄曲霉菌对产毒黄曲霉菌产毒抑制效果分析

本实验6株菌分离自广东、山东、辽宁和湖北四省的花生土壤中,通过形态学和分子生物学鉴定均为黄曲霉菌,HPLC测定其产毒能力,其中GZ-6为产毒菌,GZ-15、WF-5、WF-20、JZ-2和YC-8为不产毒菌。分别以花生和玉米为培养基,将不产毒黄曲霉菌和产毒菌(孢子浓度:104:105或105:105)进行混合培养,测定不产毒菌对产毒黄曲霉产毒的抑制效果。结果显示:不产毒菌对产毒菌产毒的抑制率随着其孢子浓度的增加而明显加强,当孢子浓度比为105:105(不产毒菌:产毒菌)时,5株不产毒菌在玉米培养基上对产毒菌产毒的抑制率为34.55%~75.94%,在花生培养基上对产毒菌产毒的抑制率为38.03%~83.03%,其中WF-5、WF-20和GZ-15这三株不产毒菌对产毒黄曲霉产毒的抑制效果均达到75.00%以上,可以作为田间防治黄曲霉毒素污染的候选菌株。     

Cladal relatedness among Aspergillus oryzae isolates and Aspergillus flavus S and L morphotype isolates

Aspergillus flavus is the main etiological agent for aflatoxin contamination of crops. Its close relative, A. oryzae, does not produce aflatoxins and has been widely used to produce fermented foods. We compared the phylogeny of A. oryzae isolates and L- and S-type sclerotial isolates of A. flavus using single nucleotide polymorphisms in the omtA gene in the aflatoxin biosynthesis gene cluster and deletions in and distal to the norB-cypA intergenic region as phylogenetic signals. Aflatoxin-producing ability and sclerotial size also were weighted in the analysis. Like A. flavus, the A. oryzae isolates form a polyphyletic assemblage. A. oryzae isolates in one clade strikingly resemble an A. flavus subgroup of atoxigenic L-type isolates. All toxigenic S-type isolates closely resemble another subgroup of atoxigenic L-type isolates. Because atoxigenic S-type isolates are extremely rare, we hypothesize that loss of aflatoxin production in S-type isolates may occur concomitantly with a change to L-type sclerotia. All toxigenic L-type isolates, unlike A. oryzae, have a 1.0 kb deletion in the norB-cypA region. Although A. oryzae isolates, like S-type, have a 1.5 kb deletion in the norB-cypA region, none were cladally related to S-type A. flavus isolates. Our results show that A. flavus populations are genetically diverse. A. oryzae isolates may descend from certain atoxigenic L-type A. flavus isolates.     

Identification of genetic defects in the atoxigenic biocontrol strain Aspergillus flavus K49 reveals the presence of a competitive recombinant group in field populations

Contamination of corn, cotton, peanuts and tree nuts by aflatoxins is a severe economic burden for growers. A current biocontrol strategy is to use non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains to competitively exclude field toxigenic Aspergillus species. A. flavus K49 does not produce aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) and is currently being tested in corn-growing fields in Mississippi. We found that its lack of production of aflatoxins and CPA resulted from single nucleotide mutations in the polyketide synthase gene and hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptide synthase gene, respectively. Furthermore, based on single nucleotide polymorphisms of the aflatoxin biosynthesis omtA gene and the CPA biosynthesis dmaT gene, we conclude that K49, AF36 and previously characterized TX9-8 form a biocontrol group. These isolates appear to be derived from recombinants of typical large and small sclerotial morphotype strains. This finding provides an easy way to select future biocontrol strains from the reservoir of non-aflatoxigenic populations in agricultural fields.     

Evaluation of atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus as potential biocontrol agents for aflatoxin in maize

Aflatoxin contamination resulting from maize infection by Aspergillus flavus is both an economic and a public health concern. Therefore, strategies for controlling aflatoxin contamination in maize are being investigated. The abilities of eleven naturally occurring atoxigenic isolates in Nigeria to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize were evaluated in grain competition experiments and in field studies during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons. Treatments consisted of inoculation of either grains in vials or ears at mid-silking stage in field plots, with the toxigenic isolate (La3228) or atoxigenic isolate alone and co-inoculation of each atoxigenic isolate and La3328. Aflatoxin B(1) + B(2) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the co-inoculation treatments compared with the treatment in which the aflatoxin-producing isolate La3228 was inoculated alone. Relative levels of aflatoxin B(1) + B(2) reduction ranged from 70.1% to 99.9%. Among the atoxigenics, two isolates from Lafia, La3279 and La3303, were most effective at reducing aflatoxin B(1) + B(2) concentrations in both laboratory and field trials. These two isolates have potential value as agents for the biocontrol of aflatoxin contamination in maize. Because these isolates are endemic to West Africa, they are both more likely than introduced isolates to be well adapted to West African environments and to meet regulatory concerns over their use throughout that region.     

Aflatoxin reduction in corn through field application of competitive fungi.

Soil in corn plots was inoculated with nonaflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus during crop years 1994 to 1997 to determine the effect of application of the nontoxigenic strains on preharvest aflatoxin contamination of corn. Corn plots in a separate part of the field were not inoculated and served as controls. Inoculation resulted in significant increases in the total A. flavus/parasiticus soil population in treated plots, and that population was dominated by the applied strain of A. parasiticus (NRRL 21369). In the years when weather conditions favored aflatoxin contamination (1996 and 1997), corn was predominately colonized by A. flavus as opposed to A. parasiticus. In 1996, colonization by wild-type A. flavus was significantly reduced in treated plots compared with control plots, but total A. flavus/parasiticus colonization was not different between the two groups. A change to a more aggressive strain of A. flavus (NRRL 21882) as part of the biocontrol inoculum in 1997 resulted in a significantly (P < 0.001) higher colonization of corn by the applied strain. Weather conditions did not favor aflatoxin contamination in 1994 and 1995. In 1996, the aflatoxin concentration in corn from treated plots averaged 24.0 ppb, a reduction of 87% compared with the aflatoxin in control plots that averaged 188.4 ppb. In 1997, aflatoxin was reduced by 66% in treated corn (29.8 ppb) compared with control corn (87.5 ppb). Together, the data indicated that although the applied strain of A. parasiticus dominated in the soil, the nonaflatoxigenic strains of A. flavus were more responsible for the observed reductions in aflatoxin contamination. Inclusion of a nonaflatoxigenic strain of A. parasiticus in a biological control formulation for aflatoxin contamination may not be as important for airborne crops, such as corn, as for soilborne crops, such as peanuts.     

Evaluation of atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus as potential biocontrol agents for aflatoxin in maize

Aflatoxin contamination resulting from maize infection by Aspergillus flavus is both an economic and a public health concern. Therefore, strategies for controlling aflatoxin contamination in maize are being investigated. The abilities of eleven naturally occurring atoxigenic isolates in Nigeria to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize were evaluated in grain competition experiments and in field studies during the 2005 and 2006 growing seasons. Treatments consisted of inoculation of either grains in vials or ears at mid-silking stage in field plots, with the toxigenic isolate (La3228) or atoxigenic isolate alone and co-inoculation of each atoxigenic isolate and La3328. Aflatoxin B₁?+?B₂ concentrations were significantly (p?<?0.05) lower in the co-inoculation treatments compared with the treatment in which the aflatoxin-producing isolate La3228 was inoculated alone. Relative levels of aflatoxin B₁?+?B₂ reduction ranged from 70.1% to 99.9%. Among the atoxigenics, two isolates from Lafia, La3279 and La3303, were most effective at reducing aflatoxin B₁?+?B₂ concentrations in both laboratory and field trials. These two isolates have potential value as agents for the biocontrol of aflatoxin contamination in maize. Because these isolates are endemic to West Africa, they are both more likely than introduced isolates to be well adapted to West African environments and to meet regulatory concerns over their use throughout that region.     

High genetic variability in non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains by using Quadruplex PCR-based assay

Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates always show, by using a multiplex PCR-system, four DNA fragments specific for aflR, nor-1, ver-1, and omt-A genes. Non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains give variable DNA banding pattern lacking one, two, three or four of these genes. Recently, it has been found and reported that some aflatoxin non-producing A. flavus strains show a complete set of genes. Because less is known about the incidence of structural genes aflR, nor-1, ver-1 and omt-A in aflatoxin non-producing strains of A. flavus, we decided to study the frequencies of the aflatoxin structural genes in non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains isolated from food and feed commodities. The results can be summarized as following: 36.5% of the examined non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains showed DNA fragments that correspond to the complete set of genes (quadruplet pattern) as found in aflatoxigenic A. flavus. Forty three strains (32%) showed three DNA banding patterns grouped in four profiles where nor-1, ver-1 and omt-A was the most frequent profile. Twenty five (18.7%) of non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains yielded two DNA banding pattern whereas sixteen (12%) of the strains showed one DNA banding pattern. In one strain, isolated from poultry feed, no DNA bands were found. The nor-1 gene was the most representative between the four aflatoxin structural assayed genes. Lower incidence was found for aflR gene. Our data show a high level of genetic variability among non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolates that require greater attention in order to design molecular experiment to distinguish true aflatoxigenic from non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains.     

Fungi associated with post-harvest rot of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and aflatoxin B1 production by isolates of Aspergillus flavus on plain and supplemented orange juice

Samples of rotting sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) were obtained from the depots, sales counters and waste baskets. Fungi associated with rotting fruits were isolated and identified. Out of 12 species of fungi isolated, 8 are known to be producers of toxins. The 7 isolates of Aspergillus flavus obtained were screened for aflatoxin production in a nutrient solution, and 4 were found to be aflatoxigenic, producing primarily aflatoxin B₁. Aflatoxin B₁ production of the toxigenic isolates were further studied on plain juice and juice separately supplemented with 2.0% yeast extract and 2.0% sucrose. The highest yield of aflatoxin B₁ was produced on juice supplemented with yeast extract by the 4 toxigenic A. flavus isolates, followed by sucrose supplementation while the lowest amount of aflatoxin B₁ was detected on plain juice. Optimum temperature for aflatoxin B₁ production by A. flavus isolate (IBA-O1) was 25 °C to 30 °C, for an incubation period of 7–11 days on plain and supplemented juice media.     

黑曲霉抗产毒黄曲霉作用的初步研究

采用90 × 2.6 × 1013N+/cm2 注入黑曲霉筛选能抗黄曲霉(Aflavus)生长的突变菌株,以利发酵中控制被黄曲霉污染的原材料的再污染。进行产毒黄曲霉与被离子注入的黑曲霉混合对峙、原黑曲霉菌株与黄曲霉单独培养生长及混合对峙培养实验。结果显示经离子注入的菌株及未注入菌株均对黄曲霉产生抑制作用,但后者仅有微弱抑制,前者不仅表现出几乎不能使黄曲霉生长,且已长出的黄曲霉菌丝体较瘦小,并呈灰白色。从培养基中提取物检验结果显示,黄曲霉组表现出有较明显的荧光反应,而黑曲霉菌株对峙培养物提取物中有微弱的荧光反应,其黑曲霉突变株对峙培养物未见荧光反应检出。这表明黑曲霉原菌株虽然能对黄曲霉只有微弱抑制,但表现出黄曲霉产毒和合成色素能力下降。与对照组相比,突变株有较强抑制黄曲霉生长能力。     

Construction and preliminary evaluation of an Aspergillus flavus reporter gene construct as a potential tool for screening aflatoxin resistance

Effective preharvest strategies to eliminate aflatoxin accumulation in crops are not presently available. The molecular biology of aflatoxin biosynthesis has been extensively studied, and genetic and molecular tools such as reporter gene systems for the measurement of fungal growth have been developed. A reporter construct containing the Aspergillus flavus beta-tubulin gene promoter fused to Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase (GUS) has been shown to be a reliable tool for the indirect measurement of fungal growth in maize kernels. Since cost-saving alternative methods for the direct measurement of aflatoxin levels are needed to facilitate more widespread field and laboratory screening of maize lines, a new reporter gene construct involving the promoter region of the omtA gene of the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway was constructed and tested. Expression of GUS activity by this construct (omtA::GUS) was correlated with aflatoxin accumulation in culture. In the fungal transformant GAP26-1, which harbors this construct, aflatoxin production and GUS expression on sucrose-containing medium showed the same temporal pattern of toxin induction. Furthermore, GUS expression by GAP26-1 was shown to be associated with aflatoxin accumulation in maize kernels inoculated with this strain. Our results suggest that this and other reporter gene pathway promoter constructs may provide superior alternatives to direct aflatoxin quantification with respect to time, labor, and materials for the screening of maize lines for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation.     

脂氧合酶与作物黄曲霉毒素污染抗性关系研究进展

曲霉属真菌（Aspergillus）侵染玉米、花生等富含油脂的作物种子后产生的黄曲霉毒素（aflatoxin）具有强致癌作用,严重威胁食品安全和人类健康。脂氧合酶（LOX）及其代谢衍生物在曲霉菌一种子互作中具有重要调节作用。LOX活性的增加可提高植物对细菌、真菌和病毒等病原物的抵抗力,同时由于其催化不饱和脂肪酸代谢生成的脂氧合物如茉莉酸甲酯以及挥发性醛类等物质,可影响黄曲霉菌的生长及黄曲霉毒素的生物合成,因而LOX在作物黄曲霉毒素污染抗性遗传改良中具有潜在的利用价值。本文评述了脂氧合酶及其代谢产物与黄曲霉毒素污染抗性关系的研究进展,旨在从植物一病原菌互作的角度揭示作物黄曲霉毒素污染抗性机制,为下一步的研究提供指导。     

Aspergillus flavus population isolated from soil of Argentina's peanut‐growing region. Sclerotia production and toxigenic profile

The Aspergillus flavus population was evaluated in the period 1998–2001 in soil samples from the peanut‐growing region in Argentina. A total of 369 A flavus isolates were examined for sclerotia, aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid production. The L phenotype was isolated in a higher percentage than the S phenotype and represented 59% of the total isolates. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between L, S and non‐sclerotial strains with regard to aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid production (p < 0.05). The S strains produced higher mycotoxin levels than the L and non‐sclerotial strains. About 10% of the S strains had an unusual pattern of mycotoxin production because they simultaneously produce aflatoxins B and G and CPA. The S_BG strains isolated in the present study have all morphological and microscopic characteristics of A flavus. These strains are of concern in food safety, as there is a higher probability of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

黄曲霉菌株的分离、鉴定及产毒能力分析

对几株从发霉粮食中分离出的黄曲霉菌菌株进行形态学和分子生物学鉴定,并进行发酵培养和产毒能力的HPLC测定。结果表明:试验分离菌株均为黄曲霉菌株且含有黄曲霉毒素产生的关键基因aflR;黄曲霉菌株之间产毒能力差异巨大:黄曲霉菌株3.4408产毒量最高,黄曲霉菌株HDWS产毒量最低,黄曲霉菌株3.2572甚至不产生黄曲霉毒素;产生黄曲霉毒素菌株中部分黄曲霉菌株产生4种黄曲霉毒素AFB1、AFB2、AFG1、AFG2,黄曲霉菌株HDWH只产生黄曲霉毒素AFB1、AFB2。     

黄曲霉群体感应研究进展

曲霉属真菌(Aspergillus)如黄曲霉、寄生曲霉侵染玉米、花生等富含油脂的作物种子后产生的黄曲霉毒素(aflatoxin)具有强致癌作用,严重威胁食品安全和人类健康。群体感应(quorum sensing,QS)曾经认为只存在于细菌中,但是在真菌中也存在QS系统,菌体的形态建成和次级代谢产物的产生都与细胞的群体密度有关。黄曲霉拥有类似群体感应的机制,菌核到分生孢子的转换受细胞密度和脂肪氧合酶调控。氧脂素作为信号分子通过密度依赖机制可抑制或促进黄曲霉的生长及黄曲霉毒素的生物合成,本文综述了黄曲霉群体感应及信号通路的研究进展,旨在从群体感应的角度抑制黄曲霉毒素的产生,为微生物与食品安全的研究提供指导。     

Correlation of growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus with some essential metals in gamma irradiated crushed corn

The effects of gamma irradiation and some essential metals on growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus in crushed corn were investigated. The production of aflatoxin by A. flavus was influenced by the addition of zinc, copper or iron and the effect gradually decreased with increasing metal concentration from 0 to 300 ppm. A. flavus grew and depleted zinc, copper and iron at initial concentration of 100, 200 or 300 ppm. Presence of 100 ppm zinc, copper or iron plus gamma irradiation (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 kGy) enhanced the growth of A. flavus and the production of aflatoxin in contrast with irradiated samples alone. A. flavus was able to metabolize and deplete elements in all gamma-irradiated samples. These results suggest that stricter control of element levels in gamma irradiated grains could control aflatoxin contamination.     

Comparison of major biocontrol strains of non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus for the reduction of aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid in maize

Biological control of toxigenic Aspergillus flavus in maize through competitive displacement by non-aflatoxigenic strains was evaluated in a series of field studies. Four sets of experiments were conducted between 2007 and 2009 to assess the competitiveness of non-aflatoxigenic strains when challenged against toxigenic strains using a pin-bar inoculation technique. In three sets of experiments the non-aflatoxigenic strain K49 effectively displaced toxigenic strains at various concentrations or combinations. The fourth study compared the relative competitiveness of three non-aflatoxigenic strains (K49, NRRL 21882 from Afla-Guard?, and AF36) when challenged on maize against two aflatoxin- and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-producing strains (K54 and F3W4). These studies indicate that K49 and NRRL 21882 are superior to AF36 in reducing total aflatoxin contamination. Neither K49 nor NRRL 21882 produce CPA and when challenged with K54 and F3W4, CPA and aflatoxins were reduced by 84-97% and 83-98%, respectively. In contrast, AF36 reduced aflatoxins by 20% with F3W4 and 93% with K54 and showed no reduction in CPA with F3W4 and only a 62% reduction in CPA with K54. Because AF36 produces CPA, high levels of CPA accumulate when maize is inoculated with AF36 alone or in combination with F3W4 or K54. These results indicate that K49 may be equally effective as NRRL 21882 in reducing both aflatoxins and CPA in maize.     

Efficacy of water-dispersible formulations of biological control strains of Aspergillus flavus for aflatoxin management in corn

Field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the efficacy of water-dispersible granule (WDG) formulations of biocontrol strains of Aspergillus flavus in controlling aflatoxin contamination of corn. In 2011, when aflatoxin was present at very high levels, there was no WDG treatment that could provide significant protection against aflatoxin contamination. The following year a new WDG formulation was tested that resulted in 100% reduction in aflatoxin in one field experiment and ≥ 49% reduction in all five WDG treatments with biocontrol strain 21882. Large sampling error, however, limited the resolution of various treatment effects. Corn samples were also subjected to microbial analysis to understand better the mechanisms of successful biocontrol. In the samples examined here, the size of the A. flavus population on the grain was associated with the amount of aflatoxin, but the toxigenic status of that population was a poor predictor of aflatoxin concentration.     

Aflatoxin and Cyclopiazonic Acid Production by Aspergillus flavus Isolated from Contaminated Maize

Seven truck-loads of maize were tested for mycotoxin contamination. Aflatoxin was identified in all 7 at concentrations from 3 ng/g-501 ng/g (aflatoxin B₁+ B₂). Cyclopiazonic acid was identified in 4 loads with concentrations from 25-250 ng/g. Deoxynivalenol was found in 4 of 5 loads tested, over a range of 46-676 ng/g. Ninteeen isolates of Aspergillus flavus from the samples were tested for ability to accumulate cyclopiazonic acid and aflatoxin in liquid culture. Fourteen produced cyclopiazonic acid (0.5-135 μg/mL), 12 produced aflatoxin (0.01-0.70 μg/mL, aflatoxin B₁+ B₂), and one aflatoxin-producing isolate did not produce cyclopiazonic acid.     

Fungi, aflatoxins, and cyclopiazonic acid associated with peanut retailing in Botswana

Peanuts are important food commodities, but they are susceptible to fungal infestation and mycotoxin contamination. Raw peanuts were purchased from retail outlets in Botswana and examined for fungi and mycotoxin (aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid) contamination. Zygomycetes were the most common fungi isolated; they accounted for 41% of all the isolates and were found on 98% of the peanut samples. Among the Zygomycetes, Absidia corymbifera and Rhizopus stolonifer were the most common. Aspergillus spp. accounted for 35% of all the isolates, with Aspergillus niger being the most prevalent (20.4%). Aspergillus flavus/parasiticus were also present and accounted for 8.5% of all the isolates, with A. flavus accounting for the majority of the A. flavus/parasiticus identified. Of the 32 isolates of A. flavus screened for mycotoxin production, 11 did not produce detectable aflatoxins, 8 produced only aflatoxins B1 and B2, and 13 produced all four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in varying amounts. Only 6 of the A. flavus isolates produced cyclopiazonic acid at concentrations ranging from 1 to 55 microg/kg. The one A. parasiticus isolate screened also produced all the four aflatoxins (1,200 microg/kg) but did not produce cyclopiazonic acid. When the raw peanut samples (n = 120) were analyzed for total aflatoxins, 78% contained aflatoxins at concentrations ranging from 12 to 329 microg/kg. Many of the samples (49%) contained total aflatoxins at concentrations above the 20 microg/kg limit set by the World Health Organization. Only 21% (n = 83) of the samples contained cyclopiazonic acid with concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 microg/kg. The results show that mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi are common contaminants of peanuts sold at retail in Botswana.