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Ortega-Beltran A, Aikore MOS, Kaptoge L, Agbetiameh D, Moral J, Bandyopadhyay R. Impact of storage conditions on the shelf life of aflatoxin biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus as active ingredient applied in various countries in Africa. CABI AGRICULTURE AND BIOSCIENCE 2024; 5:78. [PMID: 39267987 PMCID: PMC11387433 DOI: 10.1186/s43170-024-00283-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Aflatoxin contamination significantly threatens food safety and security, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions where staple crops such as maize, groundnut, and sorghum become frequently affected. This contamination is primarily caused by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. The contamination causes adverse health effects, reduced income, and trade restrictions. In response to this challenge, various technologies have been developed to mitigate the impacts of aflatoxin. Among these, biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus as the active ingredient can effectively reduce aflatoxin levels both at pre- and post-harvest. A notable example of such products is Aflasafe, which contains four atoxigenic isolates native to specific target regions. These products have undergone rigorous testing, have received regulatory approval, and are commercially available in multiple African countries. However, their manufacturing processes have evolved, and comprehensive shelf life studies for current formulations are lacking. Evaluations of the spore production ability of atoxigenic A. flavus isolates in Aflasafe products over 4 years, under various storage conditions, revealed a significant linear decrease in sporulation with storage months (P < 0.001; R 2 = 0.203), with no significant differences observed between treatments. However, this marginal decline (P = 0.398) is unlikely to be sufficient to prevent the effectiveness in limiting aflatoxin. In addition, storing the products for 2 weeks at 54 °C did not affect (P > 0.05) the ability of the coated fungi to produce spores compared to when the products were stored at 24 °C. The findings contribute valuable insights for manufacturers and users of atoxigenic-based aflatoxin biocontrol products, informing best practices for product storage and utilization to ensure prolonged effectivenes in aflatoxin mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lawrence Kaptoge
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Daniel Agbetiameh
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Juan Moral
- Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad de Córdoba, Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excelente, Córdoba, Spain
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Nguyen TBH, Foulongne-Oriol M, Jany JL, le Floch G, Picot A. New insights into mycotoxin risk management through fungal population genetics and genomics. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-22. [PMID: 39188135 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2392179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Mycotoxin contamination of food and feed is a major global concern. Chronic or acute dietary exposure to contaminated food and feed can negatively affect both human and animal health. Contamination occurs through plant infection by toxigenic fungi, primarily Aspergillus and Fusarium spp., either before or after harvest. Despite the application of various management strategies, controlling these pathogens remains a major challenge primarily because of their ability to adapt to environmental changes and selection pressures. Understanding the genetic structure of plant pathogen populations is pivotal for gaining new insights into their biology and epidemiology, as well as for understanding the mechanisms behind their adaptability. Such deeper understanding is crucial for developing effective and preemptive management strategies tailored to the evolving nature of pathogenic populations. This review focuses on the population-level variations within the two most economically significant toxigenic fungal genera according to space, host, and pathogenicity. Outcomes in terms of migration patterns, gene flow within populations, mating abilities, and the potential for host jumps are examined. We also discuss effective yet often underutilized applications of population genetics and genomics to address practical challenges in the epidemiology and disease control of toxigenic fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toan Bao Hung Nguyen
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, Plouzané, France
| | | | - Jean-Luc Jany
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, Plouzané, France
| | - Gaétan le Floch
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, Plouzané, France
| | - Adeline Picot
- Univ Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Écologie Microbienne, Plouzané, France
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3
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Wang Y, Zhou A, Yu B, Sun X. Recent Advances in Non-Contact Food Decontamination Technologies for Removing Mycotoxins and Fungal Contaminants. Foods 2024; 13:2244. [PMID: 39063328 PMCID: PMC11276063 DOI: 10.3390/foods13142244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Agricultural food commodities are highly susceptible to contamination by fungi and mycotoxins, which cause great economic losses and threaten public health. New technologies such as gamma ray irradiation, ultraviolet radiation, electron beam irradiation, microwave irradiation, pulsed light, pulsed electric fields, plasma, ozone, etc. can solve the problem of fungal and mycotoxin contamination which cannot be effectively solved by traditional food processing methods. This paper summarizes recent advancements in emerging food decontamination technologies used to control various fungi and their associated toxin contamination in food. It discusses the problems and challenges faced by the various methods currently used to control mycotoxins, looks forward to the new trends in the development of mycotoxin degradation methods in the future food industry, and proposes new research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; (A.Z.)
| | - Aiyun Zhou
- College of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; (A.Z.)
| | - Bei Yu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; (A.Z.)
| | - Xiulan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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Voloshchuk N, Irakoze Z, Kang S, Kellogg JJ, Wee J. Three Ecological Models to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Trichoderma spp. for Suppressing Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:314. [PMID: 39057954 PMCID: PMC11281256 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16070314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical pesticides help reduce crop loss during production and storage. However, the carbon footprints and ecological costs associated with this strategy are unsustainable. Here, we used three in vitro models to characterize how different Trichoderma species interact with two aflatoxin producers, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, to help develop a climate-resilient biological control strategy against aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species. The growth rate of Trichoderma species is a critical factor in suppressing aflatoxigenic strains via physical interactions. The dual plate assay suggests that Trichoderma mainly suppresses A. flavus via antibiosis, whereas the suppression of A. parasiticus occurs through mycoparasitism. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Trichoderma inhibited the growth of A. parasiticus (34.6 ± 3.3%) and A. flavus (20.9 ± 1.6%). The VOCs released by T. asperellum BTU and T. harzianum OSK-34 were most effective in suppressing A. flavus growth. Metabolites secreted by T. asperellum OSK-38, T. asperellum BTU, T. virens OSK-13, and T. virens OSK-36 reduced the growth of both aflatoxigenic species. Overall, T. asperellum BTU was the most effective at suppressing the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of both species across all models. This work will guide efforts to screen for effective biological control agents to mitigate aflatoxin accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliia Voloshchuk
- Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (N.V.); (Z.I.)
| | - Zilfa Irakoze
- Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (N.V.); (Z.I.)
| | - Seogchan Kang
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
- One Health Microbiome Center, HUCK Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Joshua J. Kellogg
- One Health Microbiome Center, HUCK Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Josephine Wee
- Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; (N.V.); (Z.I.)
- One Health Microbiome Center, HUCK Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
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Garcia-Lopez MT, Meca E, Jaime R, Puckett RD, Michailides TJ, Moral J. Sporulation and Dispersal of the Biological Control Agent Aspergillus flavus AF36 Under Field Conditions. PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2024; 114:1118-1125. [PMID: 37581424 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-06-23-0200-kc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are carcinogens produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus that contaminate pistachio crops. International markets reject pistachio when aflatoxins exceed permitted maximum levels. Releasing the atoxigenic strain AF36 of A. flavus is the leading aflatoxin pre-harvest control method. The product AF36 Prevail, sorghum grains coated with AF36 propagules, has been used in California since 2017. However, a high percentage of grains of the Prevail fail to sporulate in orchards. Here, the effect of soil moisture on the percentage of AF36 product grains sporulating (SG) and the quantity of spores per grain using a sporulation index (SI) was determined. Under controlled conditions, SG was higher than 85% when soil moisture was 13% or more, and SI increased with increasing soil moisture from 8.4 to 21%. The highest AF36 sporulation occurred near the micro-sprinklers when the grains were not impacted by the irrigation water drops. Arthropod predation was responsible for lost product grains, which was more pronounced in non-tilled soil than in tilled soil. Dispersal of the AF36 spores decreased markedly with the height and distance from the inoculum source, following a pattern of diffusion equations. However, AF36 spores easily reached canopies of pistachios located 10 m from the inoculum source. Our results indicate that AF36 Prevail should be applied close to the irrigation line in the moist soil area but avoiding the areas where excess irrigation causes water accumulation. The biocontrol of aflatoxins in California's pistachio production areas was optimized by improving the field realization of the biological control agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Teresa Garcia-Lopez
- Department of Agronomy, Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence, University of Cordoba. Edif. C4, Campus de Rabanales 14071, Cordoba, Spain
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier 93648, CA, U.S.A
| | - Esteban Meca
- Department of Applied Physics, University of Cordoba. Edif. C2, Campus de Rabanales 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Ramon Jaime
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier 93648, CA, U.S.A
| | - Ryan D Puckett
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier 93648, CA, U.S.A
| | - Themis J Michailides
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier 93648, CA, U.S.A
| | - Juan Moral
- Department of Agronomy, Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence, University of Cordoba. Edif. C4, Campus de Rabanales 14071, Cordoba, Spain
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Rasheed U, Cotty PJ, Ain QU, Wang Y, Liu B. Efficacy of atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus from southern China as biocontrol agents against aflatoxin contamination in corn and peanuts. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 201:105887. [PMID: 38685218 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is a ubiquitous facultative pathogen that routinely infects important crops leading to formation of aflatoxins during crop development and after harvest. Corn and peanuts in warm and/or drought-prone regions are highly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Controlling aflatoxin using atoxigenic A. flavus is a widely adopted strategy. However, no A. flavus genotypes are currently approved for use in China. The current study aimed to select atoxigenic A. flavus endemic to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region with potential as active ingredients of aflatoxin biocontrol products. A total of 204 A. flavus isolates from corn, peanuts, and field soil were evaluated for ability to produce the targeted mycotoxins. Overall, 57.3% could not produce aflatoxins while 17.15% were incapable of producing both aflatoxins and CPA. Atoxigenic germplasm endemic to Guangxi was highly diverse, yielding 8 different gene deletion patterns in the aflatoxin and CPA biosynthesis gene clusters ranging from no deletion to deletion of both clusters. Inoculation of corn and peanuts with both an aflatoxin producer and selected atoxigenic genotypes showed significant reduction (74 to 99%) in aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) formation compared with inoculation with the aflatoxin producer alone. Atoxigenic genotypes also efficiently degraded AFB1 (61%). Furthermore, atoxigenic isolates were also highly efficient at reducing aflatoxin concentrations even when present at lower concentrations than aflatoxin producers. The use of multiple atoxigenics was not always as effective as the use of a single atoxigenic. Effective atoxigenic genotypes of A. flavus with known mechanisms of atoxigenicity are demonstrated to be endemic to Southern China. These A. flavus may be utilized as active ingredients of biocontrol products without concern for detrimental impacts that may result from introduction of exotic fungi. Field efficacy trials in the agroecosystems of Southern China are needed to determine the extent to which such products may allow the production of safer food and feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Rasheed
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Peter J Cotty
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Qurat Ul Ain
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Resource Processing and Process Intensification Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - YiFan Wang
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Guangxi Key Laboratory for Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Nanning 530004, China.
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7
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Palumbo JD, Sarreal SBL, Kim JH. Simultaneous detection of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species of sections Circumdati and Flavi using multiplex digital PCR. Lett Appl Microbiol 2023; 76:ovad142. [PMID: 38111225 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovad142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Populations of ochratoxin-producing Aspergillus section Circumdati species and aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus section Flavi species frequently coexist in soil and are the main sources of mycotoxin contamination of tree nuts. Identification of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species in these sections is difficult using traditional isolation and culture methods. We developed a multiplex digital PCR (dPCR) assay to detect and quantify Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, and Aspergillus steynii (section Circumdati), as well as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus (section Flavi), in environmental samples based on species-specific calmodulin gene sequences. Relative quantification of each species by dPCR of mixed-species templates correlated with corresponding DNA input ratios. Target species could be detected in soil inoculated with conidia from each species. Non-target species of sections Circumdati, Flavi, and Nigri were generally not detectable using this dPCR method. Detected non-target species (Aspergillus fresenii, Aspergillus melleus, Aspergillus sclerotiorum, and Aspergillus subramanianii) were discernible from A. ochraceus in dual-template dPCR reactions based on differential fluorescence intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Palumbo
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA 94710, United States
| | - Siov Bouy L Sarreal
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA 94710, United States
| | - Jong H Kim
- Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research Unit, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Albany, CA 94710, United States
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Smaoui S, D’Amore T, Tarapoulouzi M, Agriopoulou S, Varzakas T. Aflatoxins Contamination in Feed Commodities: From Occurrence and Toxicity to Recent Advances in Analytical Methods and Detoxification. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2614. [PMID: 37894272 PMCID: PMC10609407 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthesized by the secondary metabolic pathway in Aspergilli, aflatoxins (AFs) cause economic and health issues and are culpable for serious harmful health and economic matters affecting consumers and global farmers. Consequently, the detection and quantification of AFs in foods/feeds are paramount from food safety and security angles. Nowadays, incessant attempts to develop sensitive and rapid approaches for AFs identification and quantification have been investigated, worldwide regulations have been established, and the safety of degrading enzymes and reaction products formed in the AF degradation process has been explored. Here, occurrences in feed commodities, innovative methods advanced for AFs detection, regulations, preventive strategies, biological detoxification, removal, and degradation methods were deeply reviewed and presented. This paper showed a state-of-the-art and comprehensive review of the recent progress on AF contamination in feed matrices with the intention of inspiring interests in both academia and industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slim Smaoui
- Laboratory of Microbial, Enzymatic Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LBMEB), Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax-Tunisia, Sfax 3029, Tunisia
| | - Teresa D’Amore
- IRCCS CROB, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy;
| | - Maria Tarapoulouzi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia CY-1678, Cyprus;
| | - Sofia Agriopoulou
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece;
| | - Theodoros Varzakas
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece;
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Jesmin R, Cary JW, Lebar MD, Majumdar R, Gummadidala PM, Dias T, Chandler S, Basu P, Decho AW, Keller NP, Chanda A. Vibrio gazogenes-dependent disruption of aflatoxin biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus: the connection with endosomal uptake and hyphal morphogenesis. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1208961. [PMID: 37744918 PMCID: PMC10516221 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1208961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins, a family of fungal secondary metabolites, are toxic and carcinogenic compounds that pose an enormous threat to global food safety and agricultural sustainability. Specifically agricultural products in African, Southeast Asian and hot and humid regions of American countries suffer most damage from aflatoxin producing molds due to the ideal climate conditions promoting their growth. Our recent studies suggest that Vibrio gazogenes (Vg), an estuarine bacterium non-pathogenic to plants and humans, can significantly inhibit aflatoxin biosynthesis in the producers. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying Vg-dependent aflatoxin inhibition using the prominent aflatoxin producer, Aspergillus flavus. We show that aflatoxin inhibition upon Vg treatment was associated with fungal uptake of Vg-prodigiosin, a red pigment, which was consistently visible inside fungal hyphae during treatment. The association of prodigiosin with aflatoxin inhibition was further evident as Serratia marcescens, another prodigiosin producer, significantly inhibited aflatoxin, while non-producers like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio harveyi, and Vibrio fischeri did not. Also, pure prodigiosin significantly inhibited aflatoxin biosynthesis. Endocytosis inhibitors, filipin and natamycin, reduced the Vg-prodigiosin uptake by the fungus leading to a significant increase in aflatoxin production, suggesting that uptake is endocytosis-dependent. The Vg treatment also reduced hyphal fusion (>98% inhibition) and branching, which are both endosome-dependent processes. Our results, therefore, collectively support our theory that Vg-associated aflatoxin inhibition is mediated by an endocytosis-dependent uptake of Vg-prodigiosin, which possibly leads to a disruption of normal endosomal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey W. Cary
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Matthew D. Lebar
- Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Rajtilak Majumdar
- Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research, United States Department of Agriculture, Kimberly, ID, United States
| | - Phani M. Gummadidala
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapell Hill, NC, United States
| | - Travis Dias
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Savannah Chandler
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Paramita Basu
- New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alan W. Decho
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Nancy P. Keller
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Ortega-Beltran A, Bandyopadhyay R. Aflatoxin biocontrol in practice requires a multidisciplinary, long-term approach. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1110964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the most elusive food safety problems is the contamination of staple crops with the highly carcinogenic aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi. Governments, farmers, institutions, consumers, and companies demand aflatoxin solutions. Many aflatoxin management technologies exist, but their real-life use and effectiveness is determined by diverse factors. Biocontrol products based on atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus can effectively reduce aflatoxins from field to fork. However, development, testing, and registration of this technology is a laborious process. Further, several barriers prevent the sustainable use of biocontrol products. There are challenges to have the products accepted, to make them available at scale and develop mechanisms for farmers to buy them, to have the products correctly used, to demonstrate their value, and to link farmers to buyers of aflatoxin-safe crops. Developing an effective aflatoxin management technology is the first, major step. The second one, perhaps more complicated and unfortunately seldomly discussed, is to develop mechanisms to have it used at scale, sustainably, and converged with other complementary technologies. Here, challenges and actions to scale the aflatoxin biocontrol technology in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa are described with a view to facilitating aflatoxin management efforts in Africa and beyond.
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11
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Pre-harvest strategy for reducing aflatoxin accumulation during storage of maize in Argentina. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 380:109887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Mahuku G, Mauro A, Pallangyo B, Nsami E, Boni S, Koyano E, Mponda O, Ortega-Beltran A, Atehnkeng J, Aquiline F, Samuel R, Njela J, Cotty P, Bandyopadhyay R. Atoxigenic-based technology for biocontrol of aflatoxin in maize and groundnuts for Tanzania. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2022. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2021.2758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Application of biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus to reduce aflatoxin content in crops is an effective strategy for managing aflatoxin in several regions throughout the world. We report the development and validation of two aflatoxin biocontrol products, Aflasafe TZ01 and Aflasafe TZ02, for use in maize and groundnut in Tanzania, a country frequently affected by aflatoxin contamination. Each product contains four atoxigenic A. flavus genotypes native and widely distributed in Tanzania. Efficacy tests on maize and groundnut were conducted over two years and in four regions of Tanzania where aflatoxin contamination is prevalent. Application of both products significantly (P<0.05) reduced aflatoxin levels in maize and groundnut in both years and in all districts. No differences were observed in total Aspergillus section Flavi population in treated and untreated fields, revealing that application of the biocontrol products do not alter overall Aspergillus populations in the environment. The results indicate that both products are effective tools for aflatoxin mitigation in groundnut and maize. The products were officially registered in 2018. Currently, there are scale-out and-up efforts of aflatoxin biocontrol products in Tanzania through a private sector company that is making the products available to farmers. Protecting maize and groundnut from aflatoxin contamination in Tanzania can result in health, income, and trade benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Mahuku
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - A. Mauro
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - B. Pallangyo
- Plant Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2182, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - E. Nsami
- National Biological Control Center, P.O. Box 30031, Kibaha, Tanzania
| | - S.B. Boni
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- World Vegetable Center, Eastern and Southern Africa, P.O. Box 10, Duluti, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - E. Koyano
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - O. Mponda
- Department of Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, P.O. Box 9192, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - A. Ortega-Beltran
- IITA Headquarters, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - J. Atehnkeng
- IITA Headquarters, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - F. Aquiline
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - R. Samuel
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - J. Njela
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - P.J. Cotty
- USDA-ARS, 416 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA
| | - R. Bandyopadhyay
- IITA Headquarters, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria
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13
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Parafati L, Restuccia C, Cirvilleri G. Efficacy and mechanism of action of food isolated yeasts in the control of Aspergillus flavus growth on pistachio nuts. Food Microbiol 2022; 108:104100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2022.104100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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14
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Fungal control in foods through biopreservation. Curr Opin Food Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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15
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Zhu GY, Wang X, Chen TM, Wang SY, Chen X, Song ZW, Shi XC, Laborda P. First Report of Aspergillus flavus Causing Fruit Rot on Kiwifruit in China. PLANT DISEASE 2022; 106:PDIS08211771PDN. [PMID: 34879727 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-08-21-1771-pdn] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G-Y Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - X Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - T-M Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - S-Y Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - X Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - Z-W Song
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, People's Republic of China
| | - X-C Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - P Laborda
- School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, People's Republic of China
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16
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Spadola G, Giannelli G, Magagnoli S, Lanzoni A, Albertini M, Nicoli R, Ferrari R, Burgio G, Restivo FM, Degola F. Validation and Ecological Niche Investigation of a New Fungal Intraspecific Competitor as a Biocontrol Agent for the Sustainable Containment of Aflatoxins on Maize Fields. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050425. [PMID: 35628681 PMCID: PMC9147465 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Crop yield and plant products quality are directly or indirectly affected by climate alterations. Adverse climatic conditions often promote the occurrence of different abiotic stresses, which can reduce or enhance the susceptibility to pests or pathogens. Aflatoxin producing fungi, in particular, whose diffusion and deleterious consequences on cereals commodities have been demonstrated to highly depend on the temperature and humidity conditions that threaten increasingly larger areas. Biological methods using intraspecific competitors to prevent fungal development and/or toxin production at the pre-harvest level are particularly promising, even if their efficacy could be affected by the ecological interaction within the resident microbial population. A previously characterized Aspergillus flavus atoxigenic strain was applied in two maize fields to validate its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent against aflatoxin contamination. At one month post-application, at the harvest stage, its persistence within the A. flavus population colonizing the maize kernels in the treated area was assessed, and its efficacy was compared in vitro with a representation of the isolated atoxigenic population. Results proved that our fungal competitor contained the aflatoxin level on maize grains as successfully as a traditional chemical strategy, even if representing less than 30% of the atoxigenic strains re-isolated, and achieved the best performance (in terms of bio-competitive potential) concerning endogenous atoxigenic isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Spadola
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (G.S.); (G.G.); (F.M.R.)
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (G.S.); (G.G.); (F.M.R.)
| | - Serena Magagnoli
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.L.); (G.B.)
| | - Alberto Lanzoni
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.L.); (G.B.)
| | - Marco Albertini
- Agrites S.r.l., 40057 Granarolo dell’Emilia, Italy; (M.A.); (R.N.)
| | - Riccardo Nicoli
- Agrites S.r.l., 40057 Granarolo dell’Emilia, Italy; (M.A.); (R.N.)
| | - Roberto Ferrari
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “Giorgio Nicoli” S.r.l., 40014 Crevalcore, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Burgio
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.L.); (G.B.)
| | - Francesco M. Restivo
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (G.S.); (G.G.); (F.M.R.)
| | - Francesca Degola
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (G.S.); (G.G.); (F.M.R.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Moral J, Garcia-Lopez MT, Gordon A, Ortega-Beltran A, Puckett R, Tomari K, Gradziel TM, Michailides TJ. Resistance to Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus in Almond Advanced Selections and Cultivars and Its Interaction with the Aflatoxin Biocontrol Strategy. PLANT DISEASE 2022; 106:504-509. [PMID: 34569835 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-05-21-0892-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin contamination of almond kernels, caused by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, is a severe concern for growers because of its high toxicity. In California, the global leader of almond production, aflatoxin can be managed by applying the biological control strain AF36 of A. flavus and selecting resistant cultivars. Here, we classified the almond genotypes by K-Means cluster analysis into three groups (susceptible [S], moderately susceptible [MS], or resistant [R]) based on aflatoxin content of inoculated kernels. The protective effects of the shell and seedcoat in preventing aflatoxin contamination were also examined. The presence of intact shells reduced aflatoxin contamination >100-fold. The seedcoat provided a layer of protection but not complete protection. In kernel inoculation assays, none of the studied almond genotypes showed a total resistance to the pathogen. However, nine traditional cultivars and four advanced selections were classified as R. Because these advanced selections contained germplasm derived from peach, we compared the kernel resistance of three peach cultivars to that shown by kernels of an R (Sonora) and an S (Carmel) almond cultivar and five pistachio cultivars. Overall, peach kernels were significantly more resistant to the pathogen than almond kernels, which were more resistant than pistachio kernels. Finally, we studied the combined effect of the cultivar resistance and the biocontrol strain AF36 in limiting aflatoxin contamination. For this, we coinoculated almond kernels of R Sonora and S Carmel with AF36 72 h before or 48 h after inoculating with an aflatoxin-producing strain of A. flavus. The percentage of aflatoxin reduction by AF36 strain was greater in kernels of Carmel (98%) than in those of Sonora (83%). Cultivar resistance also affected the kernel colonization by the biological control strain. AF36 strain limited aflatoxin contamination in almond kernels even when applied 48 h after the aflatoxin-producing strain. Our results show that biocontrol combined with the use of cultivars with resistance to aflatoxin contamination can result in a more robust protection strategy than the use of either practice in isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Moral
- Department of Agronomy, Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, U.S.A
| | - M Teresa Garcia-Lopez
- Department of Agronomy, Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
| | - Ana Gordon
- Department of Agronomy, Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Ryan Puckett
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
| | - Kenji Tomari
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
| | - Thomas M Gradziel
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A
| | - Themis J Michailides
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
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18
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Habibi A, Afzali D. Aspergillus Section Flavi from Four Agricultural Products and Association of Mycotoxin and Sclerotia Production with Isolation Source. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:3674-3685. [PMID: 34398304 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Many agricultural products are susceptible to contamination by aflatoxin-producing species from Aspergillus section Flavi. The objectives of this study were to determine the occurrence of Aspergillus section Flavi in four agricultural products, such as pistachio, walnut, hazelnut, and dried fruits, collected from market and retail shops in various areas of Kerman County and obtain information on the relationships between isolation source and ability to produce sclerotia and potential for aflatoxin production. Aspergillus species were identified based on morphological characteristics as well as subsequent sequencing of the parts of the β-tubulin and calmodulin genes. From 207 isolated strains, the following species were identified: A. flavus, A. tamarii A. nomius, A. parasiticus, A. arachidicola, A. caelatus, A. pseudotamarii, and A. leporis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of A. pseudotamarii and A. arachidicola with the potential to produce aflatoxins from dried apricots and hazelnuts, respectively. Sclerotial type was significantly different between isolates from different isolation sources. From 192 tested isolates, 38% were aflatoxin producer from which 5% were scored as strong aflatoxin producers and 33% as average aflatoxin producers. A significant difference in the population of aflatoxin-producing strains across the isolation sources was observed which may reflect host adaptation and thereby different vulnerabilities to aflatoxin-producing species among the examined products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azadeh Habibi
- Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Daryoush Afzali
- Department of Environment, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran
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19
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Ortega-Beltran A, Agbetiameh D, Atehnkeng J, Falade TDO, Bandyopadhyay R. Does Use of Atoxigenic Biocontrol Products to Mitigate Aflatoxin in Maize Increase Fumonisin Content in Grains? PLANT DISEASE 2021; 105:2196-2201. [PMID: 33210967 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-07-20-1447-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the tropics and subtropics, maize (Zea mays) and other crops are frequently contaminated with aflatoxins by Aspergillus flavus. Treatment of crops with atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus formulated into biocontrol products can significantly reduce aflatoxin contamination. Treated crops contain up to 100% fewer aflatoxins compared with untreated crops. However, there is the notion that protecting crops from aflatoxin contamination may result in increased accumulation of other toxins, particularly fumonisins produced by a few Fusarium species. The objective of this study was to determine if treatment of maize with aflatoxin biocontrol products increased fumonisin concentration and fumonisin-producing fungi in grains. Over 200 maize samples from fields treated with atoxigenic biocontrol products in Nigeria and Ghana were examined for fumonisin content and contrasted with maize from untreated fields. Apart from low aflatoxin levels, most treated maize also harbored fumonisin levels considered safe by the European Union (<1 part per million; ppm). Most untreated maize also harbored equally low fumonisin levels but contained higher aflatoxin levels. In addition, during one year, we detected considerably lower Fusarium spp. densities in treated maize than in untreated maize. Our results do not support the hypothesis that treating crops with atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus used in biocontrol formulations results in higher grain fumonisin levels.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Agbetiameh
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Agro Enterprise Development, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Ho Technical University, Ho, Ghana
| | - Joseph Atehnkeng
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Bukavu, D. R. Congo
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20
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Garcia-Lopez MT, Luo Y, Ortega-Beltran A, Jaime R, Moral J, Michailides TJ. Quantification of the Aflatoxin Biocontrol Strain Aspergillus flavus AF36 in Soil and in Nuts and Leaves of Pistachio by Real-Time PCR. PLANT DISEASE 2021; 105:1657-1665. [PMID: 33084543 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-05-20-1097-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The species Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are commonly found in the soils of nut-growing areas in California. Several isolates can produce aflatoxins that occasionally contaminate nut kernels, conditioning their sale. Strain AF36 of A. flavus, which does not produce aflatoxins, is registered as a biocontrol agent for use in almond, pistachio, and fig crops in California. After application in orchards, AF36 displaces aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus spp. and thus reduces aflatoxin contamination. Vegetative compatibility assays (VCAs) have traditionally been used to track AF36 in soils and crops where it has been applied. However, VCAs are labor intensive and time consuming. Here, we developed a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol to quantify proportions of AF36 accurately and efficiently in different substrates. Specific primers to target AF36 and toxigenic strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus were designed based on the sequence of aflC, a gene essential for aflatoxin biosynthesis. Standard curves were generated to calculate proportions of AF36 based on threshold cycle values. Verification assays using pure DNA and conidial suspension mixtures demonstrated a significant relationship by regression analysis between known and qPCR-measured AF36 proportions in DNA (R2 = 0.974; P < 0.001) and conidia mixtures (R2 = 0.950; P < 0.001). Tests conducted by qPCR in pistachio leaves, nuts, and soil samples demonstrated the usefulness of the qPCR method to precisely quantify proportions of AF36 in diverse substrates, ensuring important time and cost savings. The outputs of this study will serve to design better aflatoxin management strategies for pistachio and other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Teresa Garcia-Lopez
- Department of Agronomy (Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
| | - Yong Luo
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
| | | | - Ramon Jaime
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
| | - Juan Moral
- Department of Agronomy (Maria de Maeztu Excellence Unit), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Themis J Michailides
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA 93648, U.S.A
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21
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Senghor AL, Ortega-Beltran A, Atehnkeng J, Jarju P, Cotty PJ, Bandyopadhyay R. Aflasafe SN01 is the First Biocontrol Product Approved for Aflatoxin Mitigation in Two Nations, Senegal and The Gambia. PLANT DISEASE 2021; 105:1461-1473. [PMID: 33332161 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-09-20-1899-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin contamination is caused by Aspergillus flavus and closely related fungi. In The Gambia, aflatoxin contamination of groundnut and maize, two staple and economically important crops, is common. Groundnut and maize consumers are chronically exposed to aflatoxins, sometimes at alarming levels, and this has severe consequences on their health and productivity. Aflatoxin contamination also impedes commercialization in local and international premium markets. In neighboring Senegal, an aflatoxin biocontrol product containing four atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus, Aflasafe SN01, has been registered and is approved for commercial use in groundnut and maize. We detected that the four genotypes composing Aflasafe SN01 are also native to The Gambia. The biocontrol product was tested during two years in 129 maize and groundnut fields and compared with corresponding untreated fields cropped by smallholder farmers in The Gambia. Treated crops contained up to 100% less aflatoxins than untreated crops. A large portion of the crops could have been commercialized in premium markets due to the low aflatoxin content (in many cases no detectable aflatoxins), both at harvest and after storage. Substantial aflatoxin reductions were also achieved when commercially produced groundnut received treatment. Here we report for the first time the use and effectiveness of an aflatoxin biocontrol product registered for use in two nations. With the current scale-out and -up efforts of Aflasafe SN01, a large number of farmers, consumers, and traders in The Gambia and Senegal will obtain health, income, and trade benefits.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Senghor
- La Direction de Protection Végétaux, BP20054 Dakar, Senegal
| | - A Ortega-Beltran
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - J Atehnkeng
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - P Jarju
- National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation, Denton Bridge, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - P J Cotty
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Tucson, AZ 85719, U.S.A
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - R Bandyopadhyay
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
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22
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Moslehi Z, Mohammadi Nafchi A, Moslehi M, Jafarzadeh S. Aflatoxin, microbial contamination, sensory attributes, and morphological analysis of pistachio nut coated with methylcellulose. Food Sci Nutr 2021; 9:2576-2584. [PMID: 34026073 PMCID: PMC8116842 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pistachio is a nut with high consumption that could be affected by aflatoxin contamination, which affects the consumption market; therefore, broad studies seem to be necessary for this area. In the current study, pistachio nuts (Abbasali variety) were coated with different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of methylcellulose (MC) by immersion method and then stored in the incubator (25°C) for four months. The inhibitory effect of hydrocolloid coating on microbial (mold, yeast, and total count) and aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2, and total aflatoxin) contamination, as well as sensory attributes (flavor, color, crispiness, aroma, and total acceptability), was investigated during storage periods. Results showed that the storage period had a significant effect on yeast, mold, and total count. HPLC analysis results showed that coating with MC had a significant inhibitory effect on aflatoxin contamination, and the highest amount of aflatoxin contamination was related to the control sample (3.5%). All samples except sample coated with MC 0.5% had appropriate total acceptability. Regarding the inhibitory effect of MC edible coating on aflatoxin contamination, its application on pistachio nut could be a promising approach to control the fungus infection and reduce aflatoxin production in coated pistachio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Moslehi
- Food Science and Technology DepartmentDamghan BranchIslamic Azad UniversityDamghanIran
| | - Abdorreza Mohammadi Nafchi
- Food Science and Technology DepartmentDamghan BranchIslamic Azad UniversityDamghanIran
- Food Biopolymer Research GroupFood Technology DivisionSchool of Industrial TechnologyUniversiti Sains MalaysiaPenangMalaysia
| | - Marzie Moslehi
- Engineering DepartmentAyatollah Amoli BranchIslamic Azad UniversityAmolIran
| | - Shima Jafarzadeh
- Food Biopolymer Research GroupFood Technology DivisionSchool of Industrial TechnologyUniversiti Sains MalaysiaPenangMalaysia
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23
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Ortega-Beltran A, Kaptoge L, Senghor AL, Aikore MOS, Jarju P, Momanyi H, Konlambigue M, Falade TDO, Bandyopadhyay R. Can it be all more simple? Manufacturing aflatoxin biocontrol products using dry spores of atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus as active ingredients. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 15:901-914. [PMID: 33755307 PMCID: PMC8913866 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxin contamination of staple crops, commonly occurring in warm areas, negatively impacts human and animal health, and hampers trade and economic development. The fungus Aspergillus flavus is the major aflatoxin producer. However, not all A. flavus genotypes produce aflatoxins. Effective aflatoxin control is achieved using biocontrol products containing spores of atoxigenic A. flavus. In Africa, various biocontrol products under the tradename Aflasafe are available. Private and public sector licensees manufacture Aflasafe using spores freshly produced in laboratories adjacent to their factories. BAMTAARE, the licensee in Senegal, had difficulties to obtain laboratory equipment during its first year of production. To overcome this, a process was developed in Ibadan, Nigeria, for producing high‐quality dry spores. Viability and stability of the dry spores were tested and conformed to set standards. In 2019, BAMTAARE manufactured Aflasafe SN01 using dry spores produced in Ibadan and sent via courier and 19 000 ha of groundnut and maize in Senegal and The Gambia were treated. Biocontrol manufactured with dry spores was as effective as biocontrol manufactured with freshly produced spores. Treated crops contained safe and significantly (P < 0.05) less aflatoxin than untreated crops. The dry spore innovation will make biocontrol manufacturing cost‐efficient in several African countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lawrence Kaptoge
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Patrick Jarju
- National Food Security, Processing and Marketing Corporation, Banjul, The Gambia
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24
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Moore GG. Practical considerations will ensure the continued success of pre-harvest biocontrol using non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:4208-4225. [PMID: 33506687 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1873731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
There is an important reason for the accelerated use of non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus to mitigate pre-harvest aflatoxin contamination… it effectively addresses the imperative need for safer food and feed. Now that we have decades of proof of the effectiveness of A. flavus as biocontrol, it is time to improve several aspects of this strategy. If we are to continue relying heavily on this form of aflatoxin mitigation, there are considerations we must acknowledge, and actions we must take, to ensure that we are best wielding this strategy to our advantage. These include its: (1) potential to produce other mycotoxins, (2) persistence in the field in light of several ecological factors, (3) its reproductive and genetic stability, (4) the mechanism(s) employed that allow it to elicit control over aflatoxigenic strains and species of agricultural importance and (5) supplemental alternatives that increase its effectiveness. There is a need to be consistent, practical and thoughtful when it comes to implementing this method of mycotoxin mitigation since these fungi are living organisms that have been adapting, evolving and surviving on this planet for tens-of-millions of years. This document will serve as a critical review of the literature regarding pre-harvest A. flavus biocontrol and will discuss opportunities for improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geromy G Moore
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, New Orleans, USA
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25
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Agbetiameh D, Ortega-Beltran A, Awuah RT, Atehnkeng J, Elzein A, Cotty PJ, Bandyopadhyay R. Field efficacy of two atoxigenic biocontrol products for mitigation of aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in Ghana. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL : THEORY AND APPLICATIONS IN PEST MANAGEMENT 2020; 150:104351. [PMID: 33144821 PMCID: PMC7457722 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biological control is one of the recommended methods for aflatoxin mitigation. Biocontrol products must be developed, and their efficacy demonstrated before widespread use. Efficacy of two aflatoxin biocontrol products, Aflasafe GH01 and Aflasafe GH02, were evaluated in 800 maize and groundnut farmers' fields during 2015 and 2016 in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions of Ghana. Both products were developed after an extensive examination of fungi associated with maize and groundnut in Ghana. Each product contains as active ingredient fungi four Aspergillus flavus isolates belonging to atoxigenic African Aspergillus Vegetative Compatibility Groups (AAVs) widely distributed across Ghana. An untreated field was maintained for each treated field to determine product efficacy. Proportions of atoxigenic AAVs composing each product were assessed in soils before product application, and soils and grains at harvest. Significant (P < 0.05) displacement of toxigenic fungi occurred in both crops during both years, in all five regions. Biocontrol-treated crops consistently had significantly (P < 0.05) less aflatoxins (range = 76% to 100% less; average = 99% less) than untreated crops. Results indicate that both biocontrol products are highly efficient, cost-effective, environmentally safe tools for aflatoxin mitigation. Most crops from treated fields could have been sold in both local and international food and feed premium markets. Adoption and use of biocontrol products have the potential to improve the health of Ghanaians, and both income and trade opportunities of farmers, aggregators, distributors, and traders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Agbetiameh
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Richard T. Awuah
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joseph Atehnkeng
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
| | - Abuelgasim Elzein
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
| | - Peter J. Cotty
- United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
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Sarrocco S, Mauro A, Battilani P. Use of Competitive Filamentous Fungi as an Alternative Approach for Mycotoxin Risk Reduction in Staple Cereals: State of Art and Future Perspectives. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E701. [PMID: 31810316 PMCID: PMC6950288 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Among plant fungal diseases, those affecting cereals represent a huge problem in terms of food security and safety. Cereals, such as maize and wheat, are very often targets of mycotoxigenic fungi. The limited availability of chemical plant protection products and physical methods to control mycotoxigenic fungi and to reduce food and feed mycotoxin contamination fosters alternative approaches, such as the use of beneficial fungi as an active ingredient of biological control products. Competitive interactions, including both exploitation and interference competition, between pathogenic and beneficial fungi, are generally recognized as mechanisms to control plant pathogens populations and to manage plant diseases. In the present review, two examples concerning the use of competitive beneficial filamentous fungi for the management of cereal diseases are discussed. The authors retrace the history of the well-established use of non-aflatoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus to prevent aflatoxin contamination in maize and give an overview of the potential use of competitive beneficial filamentous fungi to manage Fusarium Head Blight on wheat and mitigate fusaria toxin contamination. Although important steps have been made towards the development of microorganisms as active ingredients of plant protection products, a reasoned revision of the registration rules is needed to significantly reduce the chemical based plant protection products in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Sarrocco
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Antonio Mauro
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, P.O. Box 34441 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania;
| | - Paola Battilani
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
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Agbetiameh D, Ortega-Beltran A, Awuah RT, Atehnkeng J, Islam MS, Callicott KA, Cotty PJ, Bandyopadhyay R. Potential of Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Vegetative Compatibility Groups Associated With Maize and Groundnut in Ghana as Biocontrol Agents for Aflatoxin Management. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2069. [PMID: 31555251 PMCID: PMC6743268 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing knowledge of the deleterious health and economic impacts of aflatoxin in crop commodities has stimulated global interest in aflatoxin mitigation. Current evidence of the incidence of Aspergillus flavus isolates belonging to vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) lacking the ability to produce aflatoxins (i.e., atoxigenic) in Ghana may lead to the development of an aflatoxin biocontrol strategy to mitigate crop aflatoxin content. In this study, 12 genetically diverse atoxigenic African A. flavus VCGs (AAVs) were identified from fungal communities associated with maize and groundnut grown in Ghana. Representative isolates of the 12 AAVs were assessed for their ability to inhibit aflatoxin contamination by an aflatoxin-producing isolate in laboratory assays. Then, the 12 isolates were evaluated for their potential as biocontrol agents for aflatoxin mitigation when included in three experimental products (each containing four atoxigenic isolates). The three experimental products were evaluated in 50 maize and 50 groundnut farmers' fields across three agroecological zones (AEZs) in Ghana during the 2014 cropping season. In laboratory assays, the atoxigenic isolates reduced aflatoxin biosynthesis by 87-98% compared to grains inoculated with the aflatoxin-producing isolate alone. In field trials, the applied isolates moved to the crops and had higher (P < 0.05) frequencies than other A. flavus genotypes. In addition, although at lower frequencies, most atoxigenic genotypes were repeatedly found in untreated crops. Aflatoxin levels in treated crops were lower by 70-100% in groundnut and by 50-100% in maize (P < 0.05) than in untreated crops. Results from the current study indicate that combined use of appropriate, well-adapted isolates of atoxigenic AAVs as active ingredients of biocontrol products effectively displace aflatoxin producers and in so doing limit aflatoxin contamination. A member each of eight atoxigenic AAVs with superior competitive potential and wide adaptation across AEZs were selected for further field efficacy trials in Ghana. A major criterion for selection was the atoxigenic isolate's ability to colonize soils and grains after release in crop field soils. Use of isolates belonging to atoxigenic AAVs in biocontrol management strategies has the potential to improve food safety, productivity, and income opportunities for smallholder farmers in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Agbetiameh
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Richard T. Awuah
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joseph Atehnkeng
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Md-Sajedul Islam
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kenneth A. Callicott
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Peter J. Cotty
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
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28
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Ezekiel CN, Ortega-Beltran A, Oyedeji EO, Atehnkeng J, Kössler P, Tairu F, Hoeschle-Zeledon I, Karlovsky P, Cotty PJ, Bandyopadhyay R. Aflatoxin in Chili Peppers in Nigeria: Extent of Contamination and Control Using Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Genotypes as Biocontrol Agents. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11070429. [PMID: 31336571 PMCID: PMC6669588 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11070429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Across sub-Saharan Africa, chili peppers are fundamental ingredients of many traditional dishes. However, chili peppers may contain unsafe aflatoxin concentrations produced by Aspergillus section Flavi fungi. Aflatoxin levels were determined in chili peppers from three states in Nigeria. A total of 70 samples were collected from farmers’ stores and local markets. Over 25% of the samples contained unsafe aflatoxin concentrations. The chili peppers were associated with both aflatoxin producers and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus genotypes. Efficacy of an atoxigenic biocontrol product, Aflasafe, registered in Nigeria for use on maize and groundnut, was tested for chili peppers grown in three states. Chili peppers treated with Aflasafe accumulated significantly less aflatoxins than nontreated chili peppers. The results suggest that Aflasafe is a valuable tool for the production of safe chili peppers. Use of Aflasafe in chili peppers could reduce human exposure to aflatoxins and increase chances to commercialize chili peppers in premium local and international markets. This is the first report of the efficacy of any atoxigenic biocontrol product for controlling aflatoxin in a spice crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chibundu N Ezekiel
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
- Department of Microbiology, Babcock University, Ilishan Remo 121103, Nigeria
| | | | - Eniola O Oyedeji
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
- National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan 200272, Nigeria
| | - Joseph Atehnkeng
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan 200001, Nigeria
| | - Philip Kössler
- Molecular Phytopathology and Mycotoxin Research Section, University of Gottingen, 37073 Gottingen, Germany
| | - Folasade Tairu
- National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan 200272, Nigeria
| | | | - Petr Karlovsky
- Molecular Phytopathology and Mycotoxin Research Section, University of Gottingen, 37073 Gottingen, Germany
| | - Peter J Cotty
- USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA
- Present address of Peter Cotty: P.O. Box 65699, Tucson, AZ 85728, USA
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