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Castano-Duque L, Lebar MD, Mack BM, Lohmar JM, Carter-Wientjes C. Investigating the Impact of Flavonoids on Aspergillus flavus: Insights into Cell Wall Damage and Biofilms. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:665. [PMID: 39330424 PMCID: PMC11433479 DOI: 10.3390/jof10090665] [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: 08/29/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus, a fungus known for producing aflatoxins, poses significant threats to agriculture and global health. Flavonoids, plant-derived compounds, inhibit A. flavus proliferation and mitigate aflatoxin production, although the precise molecular and physical mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated three flavonoids-apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin-applied to A. flavus NRRL 3357. We determined the following: (1) glycosylated luteolin led to a 10% reduction in maximum fungal growth capacity; (2) quercetin affected cell wall integrity by triggering extreme mycelial collapse, while apigenin and luteolin caused peeling of the outer layer of cell wall; (3) luteolin exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity in the environment compared to apigenin and quercetin; (4) osmotic stress assays did not reveal morphological defects; (5) flavonoids promoted cell adherence, a precursor for biofilm formation; and (6) RNA sequencing analysis revealed that flavonoids impact expression of putative cell wall and plasma membrane biosynthesis genes. Our findings suggest that the differential effects of quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin on membrane integrity and biofilm formation may be driven by their interactions with fungal cell walls. These insights may inform the development of novel antifungal additives or plant breeding strategies focusing on plant-derived compounds in crop protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Castano-Duque
- United States Department of Agriculture—Agriculture Research Services, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA; (M.D.L.); (B.M.M.); (J.M.L.); (C.C.-W.)
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Salamzade R, Tran PQ, Martin C, Manson AL, Gilmore MS, Earl AM, Anantharaman K, Kalan LR. zol & fai: large-scale targeted detection and evolutionary investigation of gene clusters. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.07.544063. [PMID: 37333121 PMCID: PMC10274777 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Many universally and conditionally important genes are genomically aggregated within clusters. Here, we introduce fai and zol, which together enable large-scale comparative analysis of different types of gene clusters and mobile-genetic elements (MGEs), such as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) or viruses. Fundamentally, they overcome a current bottleneck to reliably perform comprehensive orthology inference at large scale across broad taxonomic contexts and thousands of genomes. First, fai allows the identification of orthologous instances of a query gene cluster of interest amongst a database of target genomes. Subsequently, zol enables reliable, context-specific inference of ortholog groups for individual protein-encoding genes across gene cluster instances. In addition, zol performs functional annotation and computes a variety of evolutionary statistics for each inferred ortholog group. Importantly, in comparison to tools for visual exploration of homologous relationships between gene clusters, zol can scale to thousands of gene cluster instances and produce detailed reports that are easy to digest. To showcase fai and zol, we apply them for: (i) longitudinal tracking of a virus in metagenomes, (ii) discovering novel population-level genetic insights of two common BGCs in the fungal species Aspergillus flavus, and (iii) uncovering large-scale evolutionary trends of a virulence-associated gene cluster across thousands of genomes from a diverse bacterial genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rauf Salamzade
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Patricia Q. Tran
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Freshwater and Marine Science Doctoral Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
| | - Cody Martin
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Abigail L. Manson
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael S. Gilmore
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School and Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School and Mass Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ashlee M. Earl
- Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Lindsay R. Kalan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Gachara G, Suleiman R, Kilima B, Taoussi M, El Kadili S, Fauconnier ML, Barka EA, Vujanovic V, Lahlali R. Pre- and post-harvest aflatoxin contamination and management strategies of Aspergillus spoilage in East African Community maize: review of etiology and climatic susceptibility. Mycotoxin Res 2024:10.1007/s12550-024-00555-0. [PMID: 39264500 DOI: 10.1007/s12550-024-00555-0] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Globally, maize (Zea mays L.) is deemed an important cereal that serves as a staple food and feed for humans and animals, respectively. Across the East African Community, maize is the staple food responsible for providing over one-third of calories in diets. Ideally, stored maize functions as man-made grain ecosystems, with nutritive quality changes influenced predominantly by chemical, biological, and physical factors. Food spoilage and fungal contamination are convergent reasons that contribute to the exacerbation of mycotoxins prevalence, particularly when storage conditions have deteriorated. In Kenya, aflatoxins are known to be endemic with the 2004 acute aflatoxicosis outbreak being described as one of the most ravaging epidemics in the history of human mycotoxin poisoning. In Tanzania, the worst aflatoxin outbreak occurred in 2016 with case fatalities reaching 50%. Similar cases of aflatoxicoses have also been reported in Uganda, scenarios that depict the severity of mycotoxin contamination across this region. Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan seemingly have minimal occurrences and fatalities of aflatoxicoses and aflatoxin contamination. Low diet diversity tends to aggravate human exposure to aflatoxins since maize, as a dietetic staple, is highly aflatoxin-prone. In light of this, it becomes imperative to formulate and develop workable control frameworks that can be embraced in minimizing aflatoxin contamination throughout the food chain. This review evaluates the scope and magnitude of aflatoxin contamination in post-harvest maize and climate susceptibility within an East African Community context. The paper also treats the potential green control strategies against Aspergillus spoilage including biocontrol-prophylactic handling for better and durable maize production.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gachara
- Department of Plant Protection, Phytopathology Unit, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Km 10, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknès, Morocco.
- Department of AgroBiosciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco.
- Department of Food Sciences and Agro-Processing, School of Engineering and Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - R Suleiman
- Department of Food Sciences and Agro-Processing, School of Engineering and Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - B Kilima
- Department of Food Sciences and Agro-Processing, School of Engineering and Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - M Taoussi
- Department of Plant Protection, Phytopathology Unit, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Km 10, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknès, Morocco
- Environment and Valorization of Microbial and Plant Resources Unit, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknès, Morocco
| | - S El Kadili
- Department of Animal Production, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknes, Morocco
| | - M L Fauconnier
- Gembloux AgroBiotech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - E A Barka
- Unité de Recherche Résistance Induite et Bio-Protection des Plantes-EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100, Reims, France
| | - V Vujanovic
- Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - R Lahlali
- Department of Plant Protection, Phytopathology Unit, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Km 10, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknès, Morocco.
- Department of AgroBiosciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco.
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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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Bailly S, Orlando B, Brustel J, Bailly JD, Levasseur-Garcia C. Rapid Detection of Aflatoxins in Ground Maize Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:385. [PMID: 39330843 PMCID: PMC11435682 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16090385] [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: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins are carcinogenic mycotoxins that may contaminate many crops and more especially maize. To protect consumers from these contaminants, many countries set up low regulatory thresholds of few µg/kg. The control of food requires time-consuming analysis for which sampling is a key step. It would therefore of key sanitary and economic relevance to develop rapid, sensitive and accurate methods that could even be applied on line at harvest, to identify batches to be excluded as soon as possible. In this study, we analyzed more than 500 maize samples taken at harvest during 3 years for their aflatoxin contamination using HPLC-MS. Among them, only 7% were contaminated but sometimes at levels largely exceeding European regulations. We demonstrate that Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) could be of great help to classify cereal samples according to their level of aflatoxin contamination (below or higher than E.U. regulation). To build the model, all AF contaminated samples as well as an equivalent number of AF free samples were used. NIRS performance was not sufficient to quantify the toxins with adequate precision. However, its ability to discriminate naturally contaminated maize samples according to their level of contamination with aflatoxins in relation to European regulations using a quadratic PCA-DA model was excellent. Accuracy of the model was 97.4% for aflatoxin B1 and 100% for total aflatoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Béatrice Orlando
- Arvalis Institut du Végétal, Station Expérimentale, 91720 Boigneville, France
| | - Jean Brustel
- Physiologie, Pathologie et Génétique Végétales (PPGV), Université de Toulouse, INP-PURPAN, 75 Voie du Toec, 31076 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Denis Bailly
- Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle (LCA), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INPT, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076 Toulouse, France
| | - Cecile Levasseur-Garcia
- Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle (LCA), Université de Toulouse INRAE INPT, INP-PURPAN, 31076 Toulouse, France
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6
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Rault LC, Morrison WR, Gerken AR, Bingham GV. Challenges in Assessing Repellency via the Behavioral Response by the Global Pest Tribolium castaneum to Protect Stored Grains. INSECTS 2024; 15:626. [PMID: 39194830 DOI: 10.3390/insects15080626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food security is an increasingly pressing global issue, and by 2050, food production will not be sufficient to feed the growing population. Part of global food insecurity can be attributed to post-harvest losses, including quantity and quality losses caused by stored-product pests like insects. It is thus timely to find management strategies to mitigate these losses and counteract food insecurity. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a global stored-product pest with a wide range of food sources, was used in this study to assess repellency to a selection of essential oils. METHODS Multiple behaviorally relevant methods were used to determine the efficacy of the essential oils in assays to pinpoint the most promising repellents. Experiments were used to assess individual and group behaviors with or without airflow and examined the behavioral variation in distance moved and the time spent away from the oil. RESULTS It was found that exposure to essential oils and conditions of experimentation considerably influenced T. castaneum's behavioral response, but a clear candidate for repellency could not be chosen based on the collected data. CONCLUSIONS Follow-up research is needed to pinpoint repellents for integrated pest management practices to protect grains from stored-product pests and to justify their use in and around commodities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie C Rault
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 103 Entomology Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - William R Morrison
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stored Product Insects and Engineering Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Alison R Gerken
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stored Product Insects and Engineering Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Georgina V Bingham
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 103 Entomology Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
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Battersby JL, Stevens DA, Coutts RHA, Havlíček V, Hsu JL, Sass G, Kotta-Loizou I. The Expanding Mycovirome of Aspergilli. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:585. [PMID: 39194910 DOI: 10.3390/jof10080585] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycoviruses are viruses that infect fungi and are widespread across all major fungal taxa, exhibiting great biological diversity. Since their discovery in the 1960s, researchers have observed a myriad of fungal phenotypes altered due to mycoviral infection. In this review, we examine the nuanced world of mycoviruses in the context of the medically and agriculturally important fungal genus, Aspergillus. The advent of RNA sequencing has revealed a previous underestimate of viral prevalence in fungi, in particular linear single-stranded RNA viruses, and here we outline the diverse viral families known to date that contain mycoviruses infecting Aspergillus. Furthermore, we describe these novel mycoviruses, highlighting those with peculiar genome structures, such as a split RNA dependent RNA polymerase gene. Next, we delineate notable mycovirus-mediated phenotypes in Aspergillus, in particular reporting on observations of mycoviruses that affect their fungal host's virulence and explore how this may relate to virus-mediated decreased stress tolerance. Furthermore, mycovirus effects on microbial competition and antifungal resistance are discussed. The factors that influence the manifestation of these phenotypes, such as temperature, fungal life stage, and infection with multiple viruses, among others, are also evaluated. In addition, we attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underpin these phenotypes, examining how mycoviruses can be targets, triggers, and even suppressors of RNA silencing and how this can affect fungal gene expression and phenotypes. Finally, we highlight the potential therapeutic applications of mycoviruses and how, in an approach analogous to bacteriophage therapy, their ability to produce hypovirulence in Aspergillus might be used to attenuate invasive aspergillosis infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine L Battersby
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - David A Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Robert H A Coutts
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
| | - Vladimír Havlíček
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Palacky University, 17. Listopadu 2, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Joe L Hsu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gabriele Sass
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
| | - Ioly Kotta-Loizou
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
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Limaye A, Liu JR. Screening and Characterization of a Chryseobacterium timonianum Strain with Aflatoxin B1 Removal Ability. Microb Physiol 2024; 34:182-196. [PMID: 39137739 DOI: 10.1159/000540803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin found in animal feed and human food components. AFB1 contamination poses severe food safety and economic consequences. METHODS In this study, we used a coumarin-selective medium to isolate bacterial strains that can remove AFB1. Among the isolated bacterial strains, strain c4a exhibited the highest AFB1 removal activity. This strain was subjected to biochemical and phylogenetic characterization. The AFB1 removal activity of the extracellular supernatant of this strain was optimized for growth medium, reaction temperature, pH, and metal ions. The degradation products were analyzed using UPLC-ESI MS/MS. RESULTS Strain c4a was found to be most closely related to Chryseobacterium timonianum. The extracellular supernatant of C. timonianum c4a grown in a modified nutrient broth (with gelatin peptone and beef extract in a 4:1 ratio) demonstrated the highest AFB1 removal activity when incubated with 1 ppm AFB1 at 60°C, pH 8, and Mn2+ or Mg2+ supplementation for 72 h. Surprisingly, the autoclaved extracellular supernatant also retained AFB1 removal activity. UPLC-ESI MS/MS analysis suggested that AFB1 was transformed into a metabolite (m/z value 285.08) by water molecule addition on furan ring double bond. CONCLUSION The AFB1 removal activity of C. timonianum c4a was extracellular, constitutive, and highly thermostable, structurally transforming AFB1 into a much less toxic product. Herein, we present the first evidence of thermostable AFB1 removal activity of a strain belonging to C. timonianum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniket Limaye
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Je-Ruei Liu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center for Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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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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Li G, Cao X, Tumukunde E, Zeng Q, Wang S. The target of rapamycin signaling pathway regulates vegetative development, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and pathogenicity in Aspergillus flavus. eLife 2024; 12:RP89478. [PMID: 38990939 PMCID: PMC11239180 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89478] [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] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway is highly conserved and plays a crucial role in diverse biological processes in eukaryotes. Despite its significance, the underlying mechanism of the TOR pathway in Aspergillus flavus remains elusive. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the TOR signaling pathway in A. flavus by identifying and characterizing nine genes that encode distinct components of this pathway. The FK506-binding protein Fkbp3 and its lysine succinylation are important for aflatoxin production and rapamycin resistance. The TorA kinase plays a pivotal role in the regulation of growth, spore production, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and responses to rapamycin and cell membrane stress. As a significant downstream effector molecule of the TorA kinase, the Sch9 kinase regulates aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) synthesis, osmotic and calcium stress response in A. flavus, and this regulation is mediated through its S_TKc, S_TK_X domains, and the ATP-binding site at K340. We also showed that the Sch9 kinase may have a regulatory impact on the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) signaling pathway. TapA and TipA, the other downstream components of the TorA kinase, play a significant role in regulating cell wall stress response in A. flavus. Moreover, the members of the TapA-phosphatase complexes, SitA and Ppg1, are important for various biological processes in A. flavus, including vegetative growth, sclerotia formation, AFB1 biosynthesis, and pathogenicity. We also demonstrated that SitA and Ppg1 are involved in regulating lipid droplets (LDs) biogenesis and cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathways. In addition, another phosphatase complex, Nem1/Spo7, plays critical roles in hyphal development, conidiation, aflatoxin production, and LDs biogenesis. Collectively, our study has provided important insight into the regulatory network of the TOR signaling pathway and has elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms of aflatoxin biosynthesis in A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Laboratory of Pathogenic, Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Xiaohong Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Laboratory of Pathogenic, Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Elisabeth Tumukunde
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Laboratory of Pathogenic, Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Qianhua Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Laboratory of Pathogenic, Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Shihua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Laboratory of Pathogenic, Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhouChina
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11
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Yu J, Hennessy DA, Wu F. Bt corn and cotton planting may benefit peanut growers by reducing aflatoxin risk. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024. [PMID: 38975807 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Decades of studies have shown that Bt corn, by reducing insect damage, has lower levels of mycotoxins (fungal toxins), such as aflatoxin and fumonisin, than conventional corn. We used crop insurance data to infer that this benefit from Bt crops extends to reducing aflatoxin risk in peanuts: a non-Bt crop. In consequence, we suggest that any benefit-cost assessment of how transgenic Bt crops affect food safety should not be limited to assessing those crops alone; because the insect pest control offered by Bt crops affects the food safety profile of other crops grown nearby. Specifically, we found that higher Bt corn and Bt cotton planting rates in peanut-growing areas of the United States were associated with lower aflatoxin risk in peanuts as measured by aflatoxin-related insurance claims filed by peanut growers. Drought-related insurance claims were also lower: possibly due to Bt crops' suppression of insects that would otherwise feed on roots, rendering peanut plants more vulnerable to drought. These findings have implications for countries worldwide where policies allow Bt cotton but not Bt food crops to be grown: simply planting a Bt crop may reduce aflatoxin and drought stress in nearby food crops, resulting in a safer food supply through an inter-crop "halo effect."
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Affiliation(s)
- Jina Yu
- Depatment of Finance and Economics, Faculty of Business and Management, Beijing Normal University - Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, China
| | | | - Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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12
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Furukawa T, Sakai K, Suzuki T, Tanaka T, Kushiro M, Kusumoto KI. Comparative Genome Analysis of Japanese Field-Isolated Aspergillus for Aflatoxin Productivity and Non-Productivity. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:459. [PMID: 39057344 PMCID: PMC11278155 DOI: 10.3390/jof10070459] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin, a carcinogenic fungal toxin that poses a threat to the agricultural and food industries. There is a concern that the distribution of aflatoxin-producing A. flavus is expanding in Japan due to climate change, and it is necessary to understand what types of strains inhabit. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of four Aspergillus strains isolated from agricultural fields in the Ibaraki prefecture of Japan and identified their genetic variants. Phylogenetic analysis based on single-nucleotide variants revealed that the two aflatoxin-producing strains were closely related to A. flavus NRRL3357, whereas the two non-producing strains were closely related to the RIB40 strain of Aspergillus oryzae, a fungus widely used in the Japanese fermentation industry. A detailed analysis of the variants in the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster showed that the two aflatoxin-producing strains belonged to different morphotype lineages. RT-qPCR results indicated that the expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes was consistent with aflatoxin production in the two aflatoxin-producing strains, whereas the two non-producing strains expressed most of the aflatoxin biosynthetic genes, unlike common knowledge in A. oryzae, suggesting that the lack of aflatoxin production was attributed to genes outside of the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster in these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Furukawa
- Institute of Food Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 2-1-12 Kannondai, Tsukuba 305-8642, Japan
| | - Kanae Sakai
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tadahiro Suzuki
- Institute of Food Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 2-1-12 Kannondai, Tsukuba 305-8642, Japan
| | - Takumi Tanaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masayo Kushiro
- Institute of Food Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 2-1-12 Kannondai, Tsukuba 305-8642, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Kusumoto
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan
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13
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Ren J, Wang YM, Zhang SB, Lv YY, Zhai HC, Wei S, Ma PA, Hu YS. Terpinen-4-ol from tea tree oil prevents Aspergillus flavus growth in postharvest wheat grain. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 418:110741. [PMID: 38733636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Plant volatile organic compounds (PVOCs) have gained increasing attention for their role in preventing fungal spoilage and insect contamination in postharvest agro-products owing to their effectiveness and sustainability. In this study, the essential oil was extracted from fresh M. alternifolia (tea tree) leaves, and the fumigation vapor of tea tree oil (TTO) completely inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus on agar plates at a concentration of 1.714 μL/mL. Terpinen-4-ol was identified as the major component (40.76 %) of TTO volatiles analyzed using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Terpinen-4-ol vapor completely inhibited the A. flavus growth on agar plates and 20 % moisture wheat grain at 0.556 and 1.579 μL/mL, respectively, indicating that terpinen-4-ol serves as the main antifungal constituent in TTO volatiles. The minimum inhibitory concentration of terpinen-4-ol in liquid-contact culture was 1.6 μL/mL. Terpinen-4-ol treatment caused depressed, wrinkled, and punctured mycelial morphology and destroyed the plasma membrane integrity of A. flavus. Metabolomics analysis identified significant alterations in 93 metabolites, with 79 upregulated and 14 downregulated in A. flavus mycelia exposed to 1.6 μL/mL terpinen-4-ol for 6 h, involved in multiple cellular processes including cell membrane permeability and integrity, the ABC transport system, pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Biochemical analysis and 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining showed that terpinen-4-ol induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in A. flavus mycelia. This study provides new insights into the antifungal effects of the main TTO volatile compounds terpinen-4-ol on the growth of A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ren
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Ming Wang
- School of International Education, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai-Bing Zhang
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yang-Yong Lv
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan-Chen Zhai
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Wei
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping-An Ma
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Sen Hu
- School of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
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14
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Sánchez-Carrillo K, Quintanar-Guerrero D, José-Yacamán M, Méndez-Albores A, Vázquez-Durán A. Colorimetric detection of the potent carcinogen aflatoxin B 1 based on the aggregation of L-lysine-functionalized gold nanoparticles in the presence of copper ions. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1425638. [PMID: 38903616 PMCID: PMC11187340 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1425638] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
L-lysine functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-Lys) have been widely used for the detection of worldwide interest analytes. In this work, a colorimetric assay for the detection of the carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) based on the aggregation of AuNPs-Lys in the presence of copper ions was developed. For this purpose, AuNPs were synthesized in citrate aqueous solution, functionalized, and further characterized by UV-Vis, fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In general, AuNPS-Lys (~2.73 × 1011 particles) offered a clear colorimetric response in the presence of AFB1 and Cu2+ ions showing linearity in the range of 6.25 to 200 ng AFB1/mL, with a detection limit of 4.18 ng AFB1/mL via photometric inspection. Moreover, the performance of the proposed methodology was tested using the 991.31 AOAC official procedure based on monoclonal antibodies in maize samples artificially contaminated with AFB1. There was a good agreement between the measured AFB1 concentrations in both assays, the average recoveries for the colorimetric and immunoaffinity assays were between 91.2-98.4% and 96.0-99.2%, respectively. These results indicated that the colorimetric assay could be used as a rapid, eco-friendly, and cost-effective platform for the quantification of AFB1 in maize-based products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Sánchez-Carrillo
- Unidad de Investigación Multidisciplinaria L14 (Alimentos, Micotoxinas, y Micotoxicosis), Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán (FESC), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | | | - Miguel José-Yacamán
- Applied Physics and Materials Science Department and Center for Materials Interfaces in Research and Applications (¡MIRA!), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
| | - Abraham Méndez-Albores
- Unidad de Investigación Multidisciplinaria L14 (Alimentos, Micotoxinas, y Micotoxicosis), Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán (FESC), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
| | - Alma Vázquez-Durán
- Unidad de Investigación Multidisciplinaria L14 (Alimentos, Micotoxinas, y Micotoxicosis), Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán (FESC), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Fisicoquímica L414, FESC, UNAM, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico
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15
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Fu K, Song X, Cui Y, Zhou Q, Yin Y, Zhang J, Zhou H, Su Y. Analyzing the quality differences between healthy and moldy cigar tobacco leaves during the air-curing process through fungal communities and physicochemical components. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1399777. [PMID: 38887717 PMCID: PMC11180791 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1399777] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The air-curing process of cigar tobacco, as a key step in enhancing the quality of cigars, is often susceptible to contamination by mold spores, which severely constrains the quality of cigar tobacco. Methods This study employed high-throughput Illumina sequencing technology and a continuous flow analysis system to analyze the differences between the microbial communities and physicochemical components of moldy and healthy cigar tobacco leaves. Furthermore, correlation analysis was performed to reveal the impact of mold on the quality of cigar tobacco. Results The differences between the microbial flora and physicochemical compositions of moldy (MC) and healthy (HC) tobacco leaves were analyzed, revealing significant disparities between the two groups. Aspergillus spp. represented the dominant mold in MC, with nine out of twelve isolated molds showing higher quantities on MC than on HC. Mold contamination notably decreased the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total alkaloids (TA), starch, protein, and flavor constituents while increasing the total fatty acid esters (TFAA), which was accompanied by a shift towards weakly acidic pH in the leaves. Fungal community analysis indicated a significant reduction in the fungal operational taxonomic unit (OUT) numbers and diversity indices in MC, contrasting with the bacterial trends. Aspergillus exhibited significantly higher relative abundance in MC, with LEfSe analysis pinpointing it as the primary driver of differentiation. Furthermore, significant negative correlations were observed between Aspergillus and TP, starch, TA, and protein, while a significant positive association was evident with TFAA. Network analysis underscored the pivotal role of Aspergillus as the species influencing disparities between HC and MC, with its abundance serving as a critical determinant during the air-curing process. Discussion This study elucidated substantial quality distinctions between MC and HC during air-curing, with Aspergillus emerging as the key species contributing to leaf mold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejian Fu
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xueru Song
- Yunnan Tobacco Company Yuxi City Corporation, Yuxi, China
| | - Yonghe Cui
- Yunnan Tobacco Company Yuxi City Corporation, Yuxi, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuming Yin
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jilai Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Hongyin Zhou
- College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Youbo Su
- College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
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16
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Wawrzyk A, Poskrobko J, Guzińska K, Kaźmierczak D, Papis A, Jastrzębiowska N, Uroda N, Szymankiewicz M, Zeljaś D, Wawrzyk-Bochenek I, Wilczyński S. Analysis of the Surface of Historic Fabric from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum after Treatment with Ethanol Mist Used to Eliminate Microorganisms Harmful to Human Health. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:2323. [PMID: 38793390 PMCID: PMC11122998 DOI: 10.3390/ma17102323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
AIM the aim of the work was to present the changes occurring on the model and historical cotton surface of cotton resulting from disinfection with 90% ethanol mist. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples of historical materials consisted of fabric elements from suitcases stored in A-BSM. A mist of 90% ethanol was applied for 15 s at a distance of 16 cm from the surface. The spectra of cotton samples before and after ethanol application were recorded using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). Analyses of the surface layers were performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). RESULTS the decontamination performed did not show any significant differences in the chemical composition and surface structure of cotton before and after the use of 90% ethanol mist. CONCLUSIONS Ethanol mist, which eliminates microorganisms from the historical surface, does not cause significant changes to the surface of historical objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wawrzyk
- Silesian Park of Medical Technology Kardio-Med Silesia in Zabrze, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 10C Str., 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Więźniów Oświęcimia 20, 32-603 Oświęcim, Poland
| | - Janina Poskrobko
- The Department of Textile Conservation, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028, USA;
| | - Krystyna Guzińska
- Lukasiewicz Research Network-Lodz Institute of Technology, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 19/27, 90-570 Lodz, Poland
| | - Dorota Kaźmierczak
- Lukasiewicz Research Network-Lodz Institute of Technology, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 19/27, 90-570 Lodz, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Papis
- Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Więźniów Oświęcimia 20, 32-603 Oświęcim, Poland
| | - Nel Jastrzębiowska
- Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Więźniów Oświęcimia 20, 32-603 Oświęcim, Poland
| | - Natalia Uroda
- Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Więźniów Oświęcimia 20, 32-603 Oświęcim, Poland
| | - Maria Szymankiewicz
- Department of Microbiology, Prof. F. Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dagmara Zeljaś
- Department of Drilling and Geoengineering, Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas, AGH University of Krakow, Al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Iga Wawrzyk-Bochenek
- Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Kasztanowa 3, 41-205 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Sławomir Wilczyński
- Department of Basic Biomedical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Kasztanowa 3, 41-205 Sosnowiec, Poland
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17
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Zhang X, Wen M, Li G, Wang S. Chitin Deacetylase Homologous Gene cda Contributes to Development and Aflatoxin Synthesis in Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:217. [PMID: 38787069 PMCID: PMC11125919 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16050217] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The fungal cell wall serves as the primary interface between fungi and their external environment, providing protection and facilitating interactions with the surroundings. Chitin is a vital structural element in fungal cell wall. Chitin deacetylase (CDA) can transform chitin into chitosan through deacetylation, providing various biological functions across fungal species. Although this modification is widespread in fungi, the biological functions of CDA enzymes in Aspergillus flavus remain largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biofunctions of the CDA family in A. flavus. The A. flavus genome contains six annotated putative chitin deacetylases. We constructed knockout strains targeting each member of the CDA family, including Δcda1, Δcda2, Δcda3, Δcda4, Δcda5, and Δcda6. Functional analyses revealed that the deletion of CDA family members neither significantly affects the chitin content nor exhibits the expected chitin deacetylation function in A. flavus. However, the Δcda6 strain displayed distinct phenotypic characteristics compared to the wild-type (WT), including an increased conidia count, decreased mycelium production, heightened aflatoxin production, and impaired seed colonization. Subcellular localization experiments indicated the cellular localization of CDA6 protein within the cell wall of A. flavus filaments. Moreover, our findings highlight the significance of the CBD1 and CBD2 structural domains in mediating the functional role of the CDA6 protein. Overall, we analyzed the gene functions of CDA family in A. flavus, which contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying aflatoxin contamination and lay the groundwork for potential biocontrol strategies targeting A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shihua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ecological Pest Control for Fujian and Taiwan Crops, Key Laboratory of Pathogenic, Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; (X.Z.); (M.W.); (G.L.)
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18
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Han DM, Baek JH, Choi DG, Jeon MS, Eyun SI, Jeon CO. Comparative pangenome analysis of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae reveals their phylogenetic, genomic, and metabolic homogeneity. Food Microbiol 2024; 119:104435. [PMID: 38225047 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2023.104435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae are closely related fungal species with contrasting roles in food safety and fermentation. To comprehensively investigate their phylogenetic, genomic, and metabolic characteristics, we conducted an extensive comparative pangenome analysis using complete, dereplicated genome sets for both species. Phylogenetic analyses, employing both the entirety of the identified single-copy orthologous genes and six housekeeping genes commonly used for fungal classification, did not reveal clear differentiation between A. flavus and A. oryzae genomes. Upon analyzing the aflatoxin biosynthesis gene clusters within the genomes, we observed that non-aflatoxin-producing strains were dispersed throughout the phylogenetic tree, encompassing both A. flavus and A. oryzae strains. This suggests that aflatoxin production is not a distinguishing trait between the two species. Furthermore, A. oryzae and A. flavus strains displayed remarkably similar genomic attributes, including genome sizes, gene contents, and G + C contents, as well as metabolic features and pathways. The profiles of CAZyme genes and secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters within the genomes of both species further highlight their similarity. Collectively, these findings challenge the conventional differentiation of A. flavus and A. oryzae as distinct species and highlight their phylogenetic, genomic, and metabolic homogeneity, potentially indicating that they may indeed belong to the same species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Min Han
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hye Baek
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Gyu Choi
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Seung Jeon
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Il Eyun
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Che Ok Jeon
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.
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19
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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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20
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Phan LTK, Le ATH, Hoang NTN, Debonne E, De Saeger S, Eeckhout M, Jacxsens L. Evaluation of the efficacy of cinnamon oil on Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium proliferatum growth and mycotoxin production on paddy and polished rice: Towards a mitigation strategy. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 415:110636. [PMID: 38422676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
In the present investigation, the effect of cinnamon oil (CO) (10, 30, 50 and 70 %) on the growth rate (mm/day) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) production of Aspergillus flavus (AF01) and Fusarium proliferatum (FP01) isolates, respectively was determined at optimum water activities (0.95 and 0.99 aw) and temperatures (25, 30 and 35 °C) on paddy and polished rice grains. The results showed that the growth rate, AFB1 and FB1 production of all the fungal isolates decreased with an increase in CO concentrations on both matrices. AF01 and FP01 failed to grow under all conditions on paddy at 50 % of CO concentration whereas both fungi were completely inhibited (No Growth-NG) at 70 % of CO on polished rice. Regarding mycotoxin production, 30 % of CO concentrations could inhibit AFB1 and FB1 production in both matrices (No Detection-ND). In this study, the production of mycotoxins was significantly influenced by cinnamon oil compared to the growth of both fungi. These results indicated the promising potential of CO in improving the quality of rice preservation in post-harvest; however, further investigations should be evaluated on the effects on the qualitative characteristics of grains. Especially, the prospective application of CO in rice storage in industry scales to mitigate mycotoxin contamination need also to be further researched. Moreover, collaboration between researchers, agricultural experts, and food industry should be set up to achieve effective and sustainable strategies for preserving rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Thi Kim Phan
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh city University of Industry and Trade, 140 Le Trong Tan street, Tay Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam.
| | - Anh Thi Hong Le
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh city University of Industry and Trade, 140 Le Trong Tan street, Tay Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam.
| | - Nhon Thi Ngoc Hoang
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh city University of Industry and Trade, 140 Le Trong Tan street, Tay Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh city, Viet Nam.
| | - Els Debonne
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Sarah De Saeger
- Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Mia Eeckhout
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Liesbeth Jacxsens
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Xu J, Jiang M, Wang P, Kong Q. The Gene vepN Regulated by Global Regulatory Factor veA That Affects Aflatoxin Production, Morphological Development and Pathogenicity in Aspergillus flavus. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:174. [PMID: 38668599 PMCID: PMC11054512 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Velvet (VeA), a light-regulated protein that shuttles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, serves as a key global regulator of secondary metabolism in various Aspergillus species and plays a pivotal role in controlling multiple developmental processes. The gene vepN was chosen for further investigation through CHIP-seq analysis due to significant alterations in its interaction with VeA under varying conditions. This gene (AFLA_006970) contains a Septin-type guanine nucleotide-binding (G) domain, which has not been previously reported in Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus). The functional role of vepN in A. flavus was elucidated through the creation of a gene knockout mutant and a gene overexpression strain using a well-established dual-crossover recombinational technique. A comparison between the wild type (WT) and the ΔvepN mutant revealed distinct differences in morphology, reproductive capacity, colonization efficiency, and aflatoxin production. The mutant displayed reduced growth rate; dispersion of conidial heads; impaired cell wall integrity; and decreased sclerotia formation, colonization capacity, and aflatoxin levels. Notably, ΔvepN exhibited complete growth inhibition under specific stress conditions, highlighting the essential role of vepN in A. flavus. This study provides evidence that vepN positively influences aflatoxin production, morphological development, and pathogenicity in A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China; (J.X.); (M.J.)
| | - Mengqi Jiang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China; (J.X.); (M.J.)
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
| | - Qing Kong
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China; (J.X.); (M.J.)
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22
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Zhuo Q, Shi C, Geng Q, Wang S, Wang B, Zhang N, Yang K, Tian J. Role of mitochondrial farnesyltransferase gene in the prevention of the food spoilage fungi Aspergillus flavus by the antimicrobial natural preservative perillaldehyde. Food Microbiol 2024; 118:104422. [PMID: 38049276 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2023.104422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus, one of the most widely distributed and abundant genus of Aspergillus worldwide, poses an evident threat as a source of food contamination in grains and cereals. Perillaldehyde (PAE), a volatile essential oil extracted from the stem and leaves of Perilla frutescens L., exhibits potent antifungal activity. In our study, we investigated the role of Cox10, a key enzyme in the heme A synthesis pathway crucial for maintaining mitochondrial function. We found that cox10 is a sensitive gene of A. flavus in response to PAE by gene expression assay and GFP fluorescent localization tagging, and then we found that the deletion of this gene affects the growth and development of A. flavus, but the drug resistance is elevated. Through transcriptome sequencing and its experimental validation, the molecular mechanisms of stress triggered by the deletion of cox10 were further clarified, such as the decrease in intracellular drug content due to the increase in the expression of drug efflux proteins, and the increase in the thickness of cell wall due to the increase in the content of cell wall chitin. Clearly, cox10 plays a critical role in regulating various cellular processes of A. flavus, including growth, reproduction, development, as well as pathogenicity and drug resistance. These significant findings establish a solid theoretical foundation for the development of environmentally friendly, safe, and effective antifungal agents to combat A. flavus contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhan Zhuo
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Chenchen Shi
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Qingru Geng
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Shan Wang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Bo Wang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Ninghui Zhang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Kunlong Yang
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jun Tian
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu Province, China.
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23
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Bharose AA, Hajare ST, Narayanrao DR, Gajera HG, Prajapati HK, Singh SC, Upadhye V. Whole genome sequencing and annotation of Aspergillus flavus JAM-JKB-B HA-GG20. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18. [PMID: 38168670 PMCID: PMC10762212 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50986-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Groundnuts are mostly contaminated with the mold Aspergillus flavus which produces a carcinogenic mycotoxin called as aflatoxin. It is very important to understand the genetic factors underlying its pathogenicity, regulation, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and animal toxicities, but it still lacks useful information due to certain gaps in the era of modern technology. Therefore, the present study was considered to determine the key genes and metabolites involved in the biosynthesis of aflatoxin by using a molecular approach in a virulent strain of Aspergillus. The whole genome sequence of highly toxic and virulent Aspergillus isolates JAM-JKB-B HA-GG20 revealed 3,73,54,834 bp genome size, 2, 26, 257 number of contigs with N50 value of 49,272 bp, 12,400 genes and 48.1% of GC contained respectively. The genome sequence was compared with other known aflatoxin producing and non-producing genome of Aspergillus spp. and 61 secondary metabolite (SM) gene clusters were annotated with the toxic strain JAM-JKB-BHA-GG20 which showed similarity with other Aspergillus spp. A total number of eight genes (ver-1, AflR, pksA, uvm8, omt1, nor-1, Vha and aflP) were identified related to biosynthesis of aflatoxin and ochratoxin. Also, 69 SSR with forward and reverse primers and 137 di and tri nucleotide motifs were identified in the nucleotide sequence region related to aflatoxin gene pathway. The genes and putative metabolites identified in this study are potentially involved in host invasion and pathogenicity. As such, the genomic information obtained in this study is helpful in understanding aflatoxin gene producing pathway in comparison to other Aspergillus spp. and predicted presence of other secondary metabolites clusters viz. Nrps, T1pks etc. genes associated with a biosynthesis of OTA mycotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - H G Gajera
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, 362001, Gujarat, India
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24
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Song Y, Liu X, Feng S, Zhao K, Qi Z, Wu W, Xiao J, Xu H, Ran M, Qin B. Discovery, Identification, and Insecticidal Activity of an Aspergillus flavus Strain Isolated from a Saline-Alkali Soil Sample. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2788. [PMID: 38004799 PMCID: PMC10673062 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112788] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aphids are one of the most destructive pests in agricultural production. In addition, aphids are able to easily develop resistance to chemical insecticides due to their rapid reproduction and short generation periods. To explore an effective and environmentally friendly aphid control strategy, we isolated and examined a fungus with aphid-parasitizing activity. The strain (YJNfs21.11) was identified as Aspergillus flavus by ITS, 28S, and BenA gene sequence analysis. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the infection hyphae of 'YJNfs21.11' colonized and penetrated the aphid epidermal layer and subsequently colonized the body cavity. Field experiments showed that 'YJNfs21.11' and its fermentation products exerted considerable control on aphids, with a corrected efficacy of 96.87%. The lipase, protease, and chitinase secreted by fungi help aphid cuticle degradation, thus assisting spores in completing the infection process. Additionally, changes were observed in the mobility and physical signs of aphids, with death occurring within 60 h of infection. Our results demonstrate that A. flavus 'YJNfs21.11' exhibits considerable control on Aphis gossypii Glover and Hyalopterus arundimis Fabricius, making it a suitable biological control agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Song
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
| | - Xiaoli Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
| | - Shirong Feng
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
| | - Kangbo Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
| | - Zhijun Qi
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Z.Q.); (W.W.)
| | - Wenjun Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Z.Q.); (W.W.)
- Institute of Pesticides, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Jie Xiao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
| | - Hong Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
| | - Mingwei Ran
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
| | - Baofu Qin
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (Y.S.); (X.L.); (S.F.); (K.Z.); (J.X.); (H.X.); (M.R.)
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25
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Jiang Y, Liu X, Tian X, Zhou J, Wang Q, Wang B, Yu W, Jiang Y, Hsiang T, Qi X. RNA interference of Aspergillus flavus in response to Aspergillus flavus partitivirus 1 infection. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1252294. [PMID: 38033556 PMCID: PMC10682719 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1252294] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the important defense responses against viral infection, but its mechanism and impact remain unclear in mycovirus infections. In our study, reverse genetics and virus-derived small RNA sequencing were used to show the antiviral responses of RNAi components in Aspergillus flavus infected with Aspergillus flavus partitivirus 1 (AfPV1). qRT-PCR revealed that AfPV1 infection induced the expression of the RNAi components in A. flavus compared with noninfected A. flavus. Knock mutants of each RNAi component were generated, but the mutants did not exhibit any obvious phenotypic changes compared with the A. flavus parental strain. However, after AfPV1 inoculation, production of AfPV1 was significantly less than in the parental strain. Furthermore, sporulation was greater in each AfPV1-infected mutant compared with the AfPV1-infected parental A. flavus. We also investigated the sensitivity of virus-free and AfPV1-infected RNAi mutants and the parental strain to cell wall stress, osmotic stress, genotoxic stress, and oxidative stress. The mutants of DCLs and AGOs infected by AfPV1 displayed more changes than RDRP mutants in response to the first three stresses. Small RNA sequencing analysis suggested that AfPV1 infection reduced the number of unique reads of sRNA in A. flavus, although there were many vsiRNA derived from the AfPV1 genome. GO term and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that the functions of sRNA affected by AfPV1 infection were closely related to vacuole production. These results provide a better understanding of the functional role of RNAi in the impact of AfPV1 on the hypovirulence of A. flavus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jianhong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Qinrong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Bi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Wenfeng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yanping Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Tom Hsiang
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Xiaolan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology of Guizhou Province, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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26
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Moore GG, Chalivendra S, Mack BM, Gilbert MK, Cary JW, Rajasekaran K. Microbiota of maize kernels as influenced by Aspergillus flavus infection in susceptible and resistant inbreds. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1291284. [PMID: 38029119 PMCID: PMC10657875 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1291284] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nearly everything on Earth harbors a microbiome. A microbiome is a community of microbes (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) with potential to form complex networks that involve mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Resident microbiota on/in an organism are determined by the external environment, both biotic and abiotic, and the intrinsic adaptability of each organism. Although the maize microbiome has been characterized, community changes that result from the application of fungal biocontrol strains, such as non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus, have not. Methods We silk channel inoculated field-grown maize separately with a non-aflatoxigenic biocontrol strain (K49), a highly toxigenic strain (Tox4), and a combination of both A. flavus strains. Two maize inbreds were treated, A. flavus-susceptible B73 and A. flavus-resistant CML322. We then assessed the impacts of A. flavus introduction on the epibiota and endobiota of their maize kernels. Results We found that the native microbial communities were significantly affected, irrespective of genotype or sampled tissue. Overall, bacteriomes exhibited greater diversity of genera than mycobiomes. The abundance of certain genera was unchanged by treatment, including genera of bacteria (e.g., Enterobacter, Pantoea) and fungi (e.g., Sarocladium, Meyerozyma) that are known to be beneficial, antagonistic, or both on plant growth and health. Conclusion Beneficial microbes like Sarocladium that responded well to A. flavus biocontrol strains are expected to enhance biocontrol efficacy, while also displacing/antagonizing harmful microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geromy G. Moore
- Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Subbaiah Chalivendra
- Department of Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology, College of Agriculture, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Brian M. Mack
- Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Matthew K. Gilbert
- Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Jeffrey W. Cary
- Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, New Orleans, LA, United States
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27
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Oduro-Mensah D, Lowor ST, Bukari Y, Donkor JK, Minnah B, Nuhu AH, Dontoh D, Amadu AA, Ocloo A. Cocoa-associated filamentous fungi for the biocontrol of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus. J Basic Microbiol 2023; 63:1279-1292. [PMID: 37485741 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202300163] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin and other mycotoxin contamination are major threats to global food security and present an urgent need to secure the global food crop against spoilage by mycotoxigenic fungi. Cocoa material is noted for naturally low aflatoxin contamination. This study was designed to assess the potential for harnessing cocoa-associated filamentous fungi for the biocontrol of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus. The candidate fungi were isolated from fermented cocoa beans collected from four cocoa-growing areas in Ghana. Molecular characterization included Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS)-sequencing for identification and polymer chain reaction (PCR) to determine mating type. Effects of the candidate isolates on growth and aflatoxin-production by an aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolate (BANGA1) were assessed. Aflatoxin production was monitored by UV fluorescence and quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thirty-six filamentous fungi were cultured and identified as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Lichtheimia, or Trichoderma spp. isolates. The isolates generally interacted negatively with BANGA1 growth and aflatoxin production. The Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus aculeatus biocontrol candidates showed the strongest colony antagonism (54%-94%) and reduction in aflatoxin production (12%-50%) on agar. In broth, the A. niger isolates reduced aflatoxin production by up to 97%. Metabolites from the A. niger isolates showed the strongest inhibition of growth by BANGA1 and inhibited aflatoxin production. Four of the candidate isolates belonged to the MAT1-1 mating type and 12 identified as MAT1-2. This may be indicative of the potential for genetic recombination events between fungi in the field, a finding which is particularly relevant to the risk posed by A. flavus biocontrol measures that rely on atoxigenic A. flavus strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Oduro-Mensah
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- African Centre of Excellence for Mycotoxin and Food Safety, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
| | - Sammy T Lowor
- Physiology/Biochemistry Division, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, New Tafo-Akim, Ghana
| | - Yahaya Bukari
- Plant Pathology Division, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, New Tafo-Akim, Ghana
| | - Jacob Kwaku Donkor
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bismark Minnah
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Abdul Hamid Nuhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Mycotoxins and Histamines Laboratory, Ghana Standards Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | - Derry Dontoh
- Mycotoxins and Histamines Laboratory, Ghana Standards Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ayesha Algade Amadu
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, Ghana
- Environmental Biology and Health Division, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Augustine Ocloo
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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28
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Hao L, Zhang M, Yang C, Pan X, Wu D, Lin H, Ma D, Yao Y, Fu W, Chang J, Yang Y, Zhuang Z. The epigenetic regulator Set9 harmonizes fungal development, secondary metabolism, and colonization capacity of Aspergillus flavus. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 403:110298. [PMID: 37392609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
As a widely distributed food-borne pathogenic fungus, Aspergillus flavus and its secondary metabolites, mainly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), pose a great danger to humans. It is urgent to reveal the complex regulatory network of toxigenic and virulence of this fungus. The bio-function of Set9, a SET-domain-containing histone methyltransferase, is still unknown in A. flavus. By genetic engineering means, this study revealed that, through catalyzing H4K20me2 and -me3, Set9 is involved in fungal growth, reproduction, and mycotoxin production via the orthodox regulation pathway, and regulates fungal colonization on crop kernels through adjusting fungal sensitivity reactions to oxidation stress and cell wall integrity stress. Further domain deletion and point mutation inferred that the SET domain is the core element in catalyzing H4K20 methylation, and D200 site of the domain is the key amino acid in the active center of the methyltransferase. Combined with RNA-seq analysis, this study revealed that Set9 regulates the aflatoxin gene cluster by the AflR-like protein (ALP), other than traditional AflR. This study revealed the epigenetic regulation mechanism of fungal morphogenesis, secondary metabolism, and pathogenicity of A. flavus mediated by the H4K20-methyltransferase Set9, which might provide a potential new target for early prevention of contamination of A. flavus and its deadly mycotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Hao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Mengjuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Chi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Edible Mushroom, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350014, China
| | - Xiaohua Pan
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Propagated Sensation along Meridian, Fujian Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Dandan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Hong Lin
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dongmei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yanfang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wangzhuo Fu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jiarui Chang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yanling Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Zhenhong Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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29
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Agour A, Mssillou I, Allali A, Chebaibi M, El Abdali Y, El Barnossi A, Bin Jardan YA, Wondmie GF, Nafidi HA, Bourhia M, Bari A, Lyoussi B, Derwich E. Pharmacological activities of chemically characterized essential oils from Haplophyllum tuberculatum (Forssk.). Front Chem 2023; 11:1251449. [PMID: 37867997 PMCID: PMC10587419 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1251449] [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: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The present work aimed at characterizing the phytochemical composition of Haplophyllum tuberculatum essential oil (HTEO), assessing its antifungal activity against various fungal strains, evaluating its insecticidal and repulsive properties against Callosobruchus maculatus, and determine its antioxidant capacity. To this end, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis detected 34 compounds in HTEO, with β-Caryophyllene being the major constituent (36.94%). HTEO demonstrated predominantly modest antifungal effects, however, it sustains notable activity, particularly against Aspergillus flavus, with an inhibition rate of 76.50% ± 0.60%. Minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 20.53 ± 5.08 to 76.26 ± 5.08 mg/mL, effectively inhibiting fungal growth. Furthermore, the antifungal, and antioxidant activities of HTEO were evaluated in silico against the proteins Aspergillus flavus FAD glucose dehydrogenase, and beta-1,4-endoglucanase from Aspergillus niger, NAD(P)H Oxidase. Moreover, HTEO displayed strong insecticidal activity against C. maculatus, with contact and inhalation tests yielding LC50 values of 30.66 and 40.28 μL/100g, respectively, after 24 h of exposure. A dose of 5 μL/100g significantly reduced oviposition (48.85%) and inhibited emergence (45.15%) compared to the control group. Additionally, HTEO exhibited a high total antioxidant capacity of 758.34 mg AAE/g EO, highlighting its antioxidant potential. Insilico results showed that the antifungal activity of HTEO is mostly attributed to γ-Cadinene and p-Cymen-7-ol, while antioxidant is attributed to α-Terpinyl isobutyrate displayed. Overall, HTEO offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic products used to manage diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelkrim Agour
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Ibrahim Mssillou
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Aimad Allali
- Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Taza, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Chebaibi
- Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Fez, Morocco
- Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Fez, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Youness El Abdali
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Agrifood, and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Azeddin El Barnossi
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Agrifood, and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Yousef A. Bin Jardan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Hiba-Allah Nafidi
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Mohammed Bourhia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Laayoune, Morocco
| | - Amina Bari
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Agrifood, and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Badiaa Lyoussi
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
| | - Elhoussine Derwich
- Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health, and Quality of Life, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez, Morocco
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Jayaprakash A, Roy A, Thanmalagan RR, Arunachalam A, P T V L. Understanding the mechanism of pathogenicity through interactome studies between Arachis hypogaea L. and Aspergillus flavus. J Proteomics 2023; 287:104975. [PMID: 37482270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.104975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) infects the peanut seeds during pre-and post-harvest stages, causing seed quality destruction for humans and livestock consumption. Even though many resistant varieties were developed, the molecular mechanism of defense interactions of peanut against A. flavus still needs further investigation. Hence, an interologous host-pathogen protein interaction (HPPI) network was constructed to understand the subcellular level interaction mechanism between peanut and A. flavus. Out of the top 10 hub proteins of both organisms, protein phosphatase 2C and cyclic nucleotide-binding/kinase domain-containing protein and different ribosomal proteins were identified as candidate proteins involved in defense. Functional annotation and subcellular localization based characterization of HPPI identified protein SGT1 homolog, calmodulin and Rac-like GTP-binding proteins to be involved in defense response against fungus. The relevance of HPPI in infectious conditions was assessed using two transcriptome data which identified the interplay of host kinase class R proteins, bHLH TFs and cell wall related proteins to impart resistance against pathogen infection. Further, the pathogenicity analysis identified glycogen phosphorylase and molecular chaperone and allergen Mod-E/Hsp90/Hsp1 as potential pathogen targets to enhance the host defense mechanism. Hence, the computationally predicted host-pathogen PPI network could provide valuable support for molecular biology experiments to understand the host-pathogen interaction. SIGNIFICANCE: Protein-protein interactions execute significant cellular interactions in an organism and are influenced majorly by stress conditions. Here we reported the host-pathogen protein-protein interaction between peanut and A. flavus, and a detailed network analysis based on function, subcellular localization, gene co-expression, and pathogenicity was performed. The network analysis identified key proteins such as host kinase class R proteins, calmodulin, SGT1 homolog, Rac-like GTP-binding proteins bHLH TFs and cell wall related to impart resistance against pathogen infection. We observed the interplay of defense related proteins and cell wall related proteins predominantly, which could be subjected to further studies. The network analysis described in this study could be applied to understand other host-pathogen systems generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiswarya Jayaprakash
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, R. V. Nagar Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, India
| | - Abhijeet Roy
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, R. V. Nagar Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, India
| | - Raja Rajeswary Thanmalagan
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, R. V. Nagar Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, India
| | - Annamalai Arunachalam
- Department of Food Science & Technology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, R. V. Nagar Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, India
| | - Lakshmi P T V
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, R. V. Nagar Kalapet, Pondicherry 605014, India.
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Arreguin-Perez CA, Miranda-Miranda E, Folch-Mallol JL, Cossío-Bayúgar R. Identification of Virulence Factors in Entomopathogenic Aspergillus flavus Isolated from Naturally Infected Rhipicephalus microplus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2107. [PMID: 37630667 PMCID: PMC10457961 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082107] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus has been found to be an effective entomopathogenic fungus for various arthropods, including ticks. In particular, natural fungal infections in cattle ticks show promise for biocontrol of the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick, which is a major ectoparasite affecting cattle worldwide. Our study aimed to elucidate the specific entomopathogenic virulence factors encoded in the genome of an A. flavus strain isolated from naturally infected cattle ticks. We performed morphological and biochemical phenotyping alongside complete genome sequencing, which revealed that the isolated fungus was A. flavus related to the L morphotype, capable of producing a range of gene-coded entomopathogenic virulence factors, including ribotoxin, aflatoxin, kojic acid, chitinases, killer toxin, and satratoxin. To evaluate the efficacy of this A. flavus strain against ticks, we conducted experimental bioassays using healthy engorged female ticks. A morbidity rate of 90% was observed, starting at a concentration of 105 conidia/mL. At a concentration of 107 conidia/mL, we observed a 50% mortality rate and a 21.5% inhibition of oviposition. The highest levels of hatch inhibition (30.8%) and estimated reproduction inhibition (34.64%) were achieved at a concentration of 108 conidia/mL. Furthermore, the tick larval progeny that hatched from the infected tick egg masses showed evident symptoms of Aspergillus infection after incubation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A. Arreguin-Perez
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias INIFAP, Boulevard Cuauhnahuac 8534, Jiutepec 62574, Morelos, Mexico; (C.A.A.-P.); (E.M.-M.)
- Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Estefan Miranda-Miranda
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias INIFAP, Boulevard Cuauhnahuac 8534, Jiutepec 62574, Morelos, Mexico; (C.A.A.-P.); (E.M.-M.)
| | - Jorge Luis Folch-Mallol
- Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av. Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Raquel Cossío-Bayúgar
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias INIFAP, Boulevard Cuauhnahuac 8534, Jiutepec 62574, Morelos, Mexico; (C.A.A.-P.); (E.M.-M.)
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Liang L, Zhang W, Hao J, Wang Y, Wei S, Zhang S, Hu Y, Lv Y. Estragole Inhibits Growth and Aflatoxin Biosynthesis of Aspergillus flavus by Affecting Reactive Oxygen Species Homeostasis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0134823. [PMID: 37289093 PMCID: PMC10434025 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01348-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of essential oils and edible compounds have been widely recognized for their antifungal activity in recent years. In this study, we explored the antifungal activity of estragole from Pimenta racemosa against Aspergillus flavus and investigated the underlying mechanism of action. The results showed that estragole had significant antifungal activity against A. flavus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5 μL/mL against spore germination. Additionally, estragole inhibited the biosynthesis of aflatoxin in a dose-dependent manner, and aflatoxin biosynthesis was significantly inhibited at 0.125 μL/mL. Pathogenicity assays showed that estragole had potential antifungal activity against A. flavus in peanut and corn grains by inhibiting conidia and aflatoxin production. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly related to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and secondary metabolite synthesis following estragole treatment. Importantly, we experimentally verified reactive oxidative species accumulation following downregulation of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase. These results suggest that estragole inhibits the growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis of A. flavus by modulating intracellular redox homeostasis. These findings expand our knowledge on the antifungal activity and molecular mechanisms of estragole, and provide a basis for estragole as a potential agent against A. flavus contamination. IMPORTANCE Aspergillus flavus contaminates crops and produces aflatoxins, carcinogenic secondary metabolites which pose a serious threat to agricultural production and animal and human health. Currently, control of A. flavus growth and mycotoxin contamination mainly relies on antimicrobial chemicals, agents with side effects such as toxic residues and the emergence of resistance. With their safety, environmental friendliness, and high efficiency, essential oils and edible compounds have become promising antifungal agents to control growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis in hazardous filamentous fungi. In this study, we explored the antifungal activity of estragole from Pimenta racemosa against A. flavus and investigated its underlying mechanism. The results demonstrated that estragole inhibits the growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis of A. flavus by modulating intracellular redox homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuke Liang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Hao
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanyu Wang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shan Wei
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shuaibing Zhang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuansen Hu
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yangyong Lv
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
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Wang X, Wang D, Zhang S, Zhu M, Yang Q, Dong J, Zhang Q, Feng P. Research Progress Related to Aflatoxin Contamination and Prevention and Control of Soils. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:475. [PMID: 37624232 PMCID: PMC10467090 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins are potent carcinogenic compounds, mainly produced by fungi species of the genus Aspergillus in the soil. Because of their stability, they are difficult to remove completely, even under extreme conditions. Aflatoxin contamination is one of the main causes of safety in peanuts, maize, wheat and other agricultural products. Aflatoxin contamination originates from the soil. Through the investigation of soil properties and soil microbial distribution, the sources of aflatoxin are identified, aflatoxin contamination is classified and analysed, and post-harvest crop detoxification and corresponding contamination prevention measures are identified. This includes the team's recent development of the biofungicide ARC-BBBE (Aflatoxin Rhizobia Couple-B. amyloliquefaciens, B. laterosporu, B. mucilaginosus, E. ludwiggi) for field application and nanomaterials for post-production detoxification of cereals and oilseed crops, providing an effective and feasible approach for the prevention and control of aflatoxin contamination. Finally, it is hoped that effective preventive and control measures can be applied to a large number of cereal and oilseed crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- Xiangyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangyang 441057, China; (X.W.); (M.Z.); (Q.Y.); (J.D.); (P.F.)
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China;
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430061, China
| | - Dun Wang
- Xiangyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangyang 441057, China; (X.W.); (M.Z.); (Q.Y.); (J.D.); (P.F.)
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China;
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430061, China
| | - Shujuan Zhang
- Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institution, Wenzhou 325000, China;
| | - Mengjie Zhu
- Xiangyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangyang 441057, China; (X.W.); (M.Z.); (Q.Y.); (J.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Qing Yang
- Xiangyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangyang 441057, China; (X.W.); (M.Z.); (Q.Y.); (J.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Jing Dong
- Xiangyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangyang 441057, China; (X.W.); (M.Z.); (Q.Y.); (J.D.); (P.F.)
| | - Qi Zhang
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China;
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430061, China
| | - Peng Feng
- Xiangyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangyang 441057, China; (X.W.); (M.Z.); (Q.Y.); (J.D.); (P.F.)
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Nji QN, Babalola OO, Mwanza M. Soil Aspergillus Species, Pathogenicity and Control Perspectives. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:766. [PMID: 37504754 PMCID: PMC10381279 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070766] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Five Aspergillus sections have members that are established agricultural pests and producers of different metabolites, threatening global food safety. Most of these pathogenic Aspergillus species have been isolated from almost all major biomes. The soil remains the primary habitat for most of these cryptic fungi. This review explored some of the ecological attributes that have contributed immensely to the success of the pathogenicity of some members of the genus Aspergillus over time. Hence, the virulence factors of the genus Aspergillus, their ecology and others were reviewed. Furthermore, some biological control techniques were recommended. Pathogenic effects of Aspergillus species are entirely accidental; therefore, the virulence evolution prediction model in such species becomes a challenge, unlike their obligate parasite counterparts. In all, differences in virulence among organisms involved both conserved and species-specific genetic factors. If the impacts of climate change continue, new cryptic Aspergillus species will emerge and mycotoxin contamination risks will increase in all ecosystems, as these species can metabolically adjust to nutritional and biophysical challenges. As most of their gene clusters are silent, fungi continue to be a source of underexplored bioactive compounds. The World Soil Charter recognizes the relevance of soil biodiversity in supporting healthy soil functions. The question of how a balance may be struck between supporting healthy soil biodiversity and the control of toxic fungi species in the field to ensure food security is therefore pertinent. Numerous advanced strategies and biocontrol methods so far remain the most environmentally sustainable solution to the control of toxigenic fungi in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queenta Ngum Nji
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
| | - Mulunda Mwanza
- Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
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Ma J, Guan Y, Xing F, Wang Y, Li X, Yu Q, Yu X. Smartphone-based chemiluminescence detection of aflatoxin B 1 via labelled and label-free dual sensing systems. Food Chem 2023; 413:135654. [PMID: 36796268 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135654] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
To develop a sensing platform for onsite determination of AFB1 in foodstuffs, we developed smartphone-based chemiluminescence detection of AFB1 via labelled and label-free dual modes. The labelled mode was characteristic of double streptavidin-biotin mediated signal amplification, obtaining limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 ng/mL in the linear range of 1-100 ng/mL. To reduce the complexity in the labelled system, a label-free mode based on both split aptamer and split DNAzyme was fabricated. A satisfactory LOD of 0.33 ng/mL was generated in the linear range of 1-100 ng/mL. Both labelled and label-free sensing systems achieved outstanding recovery rate in AFB1-spiked maize and peanut kernel samples. Finally, two systems were successfully integrated into smartphone-based portable device based on custom-made components and android application, achieving comparable AFB1 detection ability to a commercial microplate reader. Our systems hold huge potential for AFB1 onsite detection in food supply chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junning Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agro-products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yue Guan
- College of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Fuguo Xing
- Key Laboratory of Agro-products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Xu Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qiang Yu
- Qingdao Tianxiang Foods Group Co., Ltd, Qingdao 266737, China
| | - Xiaohua Yu
- Qingdao Tianxiang Foods Group Co., Ltd, Qingdao 266737, China
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Zhang W, Li B, Lv Y, Wei S, Zhang S, Hu Y. Synergistic effects of combined cinnamaldehyde and nonanal vapors against Aspergillus flavus. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 402:110277. [PMID: 37331114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the synergistic antifungal effects of vapor-phase natural agents against Aspergillus flavus with an aim to prevent fungal contamination in agricultural products. Screening different combinations of natural antifungal vapor agents using the checkerboard assay revealed that the cinnamaldehyde and nonanal (SCAN) blend could exert the strongest synergistic antifungal activities against A. flavus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.03 μL/mL, which caused a 76 % decrease in fungal population compared to when each agent was used separately. Subsequent gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis demonstrated that the cinnamaldehyde/nonanal combination was stable and no effects on their individual molecular structures. SCAN at 2 × MIC completely inhibited the fungal conidia production and mycelial growth. The calcofluor white (CFW) and dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining assays showed that SCAN treatment could accelerate the destruction of cell wall integrity and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A. flavus. Moreover, pathogenicity assay indicated that in contrast to separate treatment with cinnamaldehyde or nonanal, SCAN could cause a decrease in the production of A. flavus asexual spores and AFB1 on peanuts, which verified its potential synergistic activity against fungal propagation. In addition, SCAN effectively preserves the organoleptic and nutritional properties of stored peanuts. Overall, our findings strongly indicated that the cinnamaldehyde/nonanal combination is a potentially significant antifungal agent against A. flavus contamination during the postharvest storage of peanuts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China; Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biological Processing and Nutritional Function of Wheat, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bangbang Li
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China; Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biological Processing and Nutritional Function of Wheat, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyong Lv
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China; Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biological Processing and Nutritional Function of Wheat, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Wei
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China; Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biological Processing and Nutritional Function of Wheat, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuaibing Zhang
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China; Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biological Processing and Nutritional Function of Wheat, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuansen Hu
- College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China; Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biological Processing and Nutritional Function of Wheat, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Sun X, Sun J, Ye Y, Ji J, Sheng L, Yang D, Sun X. Metabolic pathway-based self-assembled Au@MXene liver microsome electrochemical biosensor for rapid screening of aflatoxin B1. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 151:108378. [PMID: 36774719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) catalyze the production of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolites, which play an important role in carcinogenesis. In this study, we report a simple electrochemical liver-microsome-based biosensor using a composite of gold nanoparticles adsorbed on MXene (Au@MXene) for rapid screening of AFB1. Rat liver microsomes (RLMs) were directly adsorbed on the Au@MXene nanocomposite. The high conductivity, large specific surface area, and good biocompatibility of the Au@MXene nanocomposite enabled the direct electron transfer between the RLMs and the electrode and maintained the biological activity of the enzyme in the RLMs to a large extent. The metabolic behavior of the RLM biosensor that was developed for the electrocatalyst of AFB1 to its hydroxylation metabolite aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was confirmed. Based on the change in the electrical signal generated by this metabolic behavior, we established the relationship between AFB1 content and amperometric (I-t) current signal. When the AFB1 concentration ranged from 0.01 μM to 50 μM, the AFB1 concentration was linearly related to the electrical signal with a limit of detection of 2.8 nM. The results of the recovery experiments for corn samples showed that the recovery and accuracy of the sensor were consistent with the UPLC-MS/MS method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jiadi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yongli Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jian Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Lina Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Diaodiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xiulan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Food Safety and Quality Control, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
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Hussen Kabthymer R, Gebremeskel Kanno G, Aregu MB, Paixão S, Belachew T. Prevalence and concentration of Aflatoxin M1 in human breast milk in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis, and cancer risk assessment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2023; 33:491-507. [PMID: 35168414 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2036330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence, concentration of AFM1 in human breast milk, and to determine the risk of cancer for infants in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, Web of science, global health, Cochrane, and Google Scholar electronic databases. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and concentration of AFM1 in breast milk. The meta-analysis of 8 articles containing 9 studies showed the pooled prevalence of AFM1 in breast milk to be 56.18% (95% CI: 29.65-82.71) and the pooled concentration to be 31.12 ng/L (95% CI: 25.97-36.25). The cancer risk assessment indicated for both male and female 1-month infants in Sierra Leone (HI > 1) is high, and all the rest of the infants are free of risk (HI < 1). The pooled prevalence and mean concentration of AFM1 in breast milk is high. Monitoring of AFB1 concentration of commonly used foods will be of high value in reducing the burden of AFM1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Susana Paixão
- Department of Environmental Health, Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Portugal
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Adamska I. The Possibility of Using Sulphur Shelf Fungus ( Laetiporus sulphureus) in the Food Industry and in Medicine-A Review. Foods 2023; 12:1539. [PMID: 37048360 PMCID: PMC10093887 DOI: 10.3390/foods12071539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulphur shelf fungus (Laetiporus sulphureus) has so far been largely underestimated as a potential raw material for the food industry. Many studies have demonstrated that the extracts obtained from this mushroom and some of their components have positive effects on human health. They have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties and regulate human metabolism and digestive processes. Water extracts also have this effect. In addition, the substances contained in this mushroom have the ability to preserve food by inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms. These properties have led to the situation that in some countries, shelf sulphur fungus is legally recognized as a raw material that meets the requirements of the food and processing industries. This paper is a review of the latest information (mainly for the period 2016-2023) on the chemical composition and the possibility of using L. sulphureus in the food industry and in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Adamska
- Department of Fish, Plant and Gastronomic Technology, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland
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Wu S, Huang W, Wang F, Zou X, Li X, Liu CM, Zhang W, Yan S. Integrated metabolomics and lipidomics analyses suggest the temperature-dependent lipid desaturation promotes aflatoxin biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1137643. [PMID: 37065116 PMCID: PMC10102665 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1137643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Temperature is one of the main factors affecting aflatoxin (AF) biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus. Previous studies showed that AF biosynthesis is elevated in A. flavus at temperatures between 28°C-30°C, while it is inhibited at temperatures above 30°C. However, little is known about the metabolic mechanism underlying temperature-regulated AF biosynthesis. In this study, we integrated metabolomic and lipidomic analyses to investigate the endogenous metabolism of A. flavus across 6 days of mycelia growth at 28°C (optimal AF production) and 37°C (no AF production). Results showed that both metabolite and lipid profiles were significantly altered at different temperatures. In particular, metabolites involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were up-regulated at 37°C on the second day but down-regulated from days three to six. Moreover, lipidomics and targeted fatty acids analyses of mycelia samples revealed a distinct pattern of lipid species and free fatty acids desaturation. High degrees of polyunsaturation of most lipid species at 28°C were positively correlated with AF production. These results provide new insights into the underlying metabolic changes in A. flavus under temperature stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowen Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fenghua Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinlu Zou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenyang Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijuan Yan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Crop Germplasm Resources Preservation and Utilization, Agro-biological Gene Research Center, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shijuan Yan,
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41
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Sharma S, Singh S, Sarma SJ. Challenges and advancements in bioprocess intensification of fungal secondary metabolite: kojic acid. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:140. [PMID: 36995482 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03587-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Kojic acid is a fungal secondary metabolite commonly known as a tyrosinase inhibitor, that acts as a skin-whitening agent. Its applications are widely distributed in the area of cosmetics, medicine, food, and chemical synthesis. Renewable resources are the alternative feedstocks that can fulfill the demand for free sugars which are fermented for the production of kojic acid. This review highlights the current progress and importance of bioprocessing of kojic acid from various types of competitive and non-competitive renewable feedstocks. The bioprocessing advancements, secondary metabolic pathway networks, gene clusters and regulations, strain improvement, and process design have also been discussed. The importance of nitrogen sources, amino acids, ions, agitation, and pH has been summarized. Two fungal species Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae are found to be extensively studied for kojic acid production due to their versatile substrate utilization and high titer ability. The potential of A. flavus to be a competitive industrial strain for large-scale production of kojic acid has been studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Bennett University, Greater Noida, 201310, India
| | - Shikha Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Bennett University, Greater Noida, 201310, India
| | - Saurabh Jyoti Sarma
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Bennett University, Greater Noida, 201310, India.
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Rabot C, Chen Y, Lin SY, Miller B, Chiang YM, Oakley CE, Oakley BR, Wang CCC, Williams TJ. Polystyrene Upcycling into Fungal Natural Products and a Biocontrol Agent. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:5222-5230. [PMID: 36779837 PMCID: PMC11062757 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most used yet infrequently recycled plastics. Although manufactured on the scale of 300 million tons per year globally, current approaches toward PS degradation are energy- and carbon-inefficient, slow, and/or limited in the value that they reclaim. We recently reported a scalable process to degrade post-consumer polyethylene-containing waste streams into carboxylic diacids. Engineered fungal strains then upgrade these diacids biosynthetically to synthesize pharmacologically active secondary metabolites. Herein, we apply a similar reaction to rapidly convert PS to benzoic acid in high yield. Engineered strains of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans then biosynthetically upgrade PS-derived crude benzoic acid to the structurally diverse secondary metabolites ergothioneine, pleuromutilin, and mutilin. Further, we expand the catalog of plastic-derived products to include spores of the industrially relevant biocontrol agent Aspergillus flavus Af36 from crude PS-derived benzoic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Rabot
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
| | - Yuhao Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, University of Southern California, 837 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
- Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, 3454 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
| | - Shu-Yi Lin
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
| | - Ben Miller
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
- Department of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, University of Southern California, 837 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
| | - Yi-Ming Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
| | - C Elizabeth Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 United States
| | - Berl R Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 United States
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
- Department of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, University of Southern California, 837 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
- Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, 3454 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
| | - Travis J Williams
- Department of Chemistry, Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute, University of Southern California, 837 Bloom Walk, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
- Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, 3454 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, California 90089 United States
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Arreguin-Perez CA, Miranda-Miranda E, Folch-Mallol J, Ferrara-Tijera E, Cossio-Bayugar R. Complete genome sequence dataset of enthomopathogenic Aspergillus flavus isolated from a natural infection of the cattle-tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Data Brief 2023; 48:109053. [PMID: 37006402 PMCID: PMC10051017 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
As the most important bovine ectoparasite, the southern cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus transmits lethal cattle diseases such as babesiosis and anaplasmosis, costing the global livestock industry billions of dollars annually. To control cattle ticks, preventive treatment of cattle with pesticides is a common practice; however, after decades of chemical treatment, pesticide resistance has arisen in cattle ticks, rendering most formulations ineffective over time. Facing the perspective of running out of effective chemical treatments against R. microplus, research on biocontrol alternatives is necessary. Acaro-pathogenic microorganisms isolated from different developmental stages of R. microplus offer potential as biocontrol agents. Aspergillus flavus strain INIFAP-2021, isolated from naturally infected cattle ticks, produced high levels of mobility and mortality in the tick population during experimental infections. The whole genome of the fungi was sequenced using the DNBSEQ platform by BGI. The genome was assembled using SOAPaligner, and A. flavus NRRL3357 was used as the reference genome; the complete genome contained eight pairs of chromosomes and 36.9 Mb with a GC content of 48.03%, exhibiting 11482 protein-coding genes. The final genome assembly was deposited at GenBank as a bio project under accession number PRJNA758689, and supplementary material is accessible through Mendeley DOI: 10.17632/mt8yxch6mz.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A. Arreguin-Perez
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad del INIFAP. Boulevard Cuauhnahuac No. 8534, Jiutepec, Morelos 62574, Mexico
- Centro de Investigaciones en Biotecnología de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Campus Cuernavaca, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510–3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Estefan Miranda-Miranda
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad del INIFAP. Boulevard Cuauhnahuac No. 8534, Jiutepec, Morelos 62574, Mexico
| | - Jorge Folch-Mallol
- Centro de Investigaciones en Biotecnología de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Campus Cuernavaca, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad, 2001, Apartado Postal 510–3, Cuernavaca, Morelos 62210, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Ferrara-Tijera
- Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad, Secretaria de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER). Boulevard Cuauhnahuac No. 8534, Jiutepec, Morelos 62574, Mexico
| | - Raquel Cossio-Bayugar
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad del INIFAP. Boulevard Cuauhnahuac No. 8534, Jiutepec, Morelos 62574, Mexico
- Corresponding author.
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da Silva AAR, da Silva Júnior JJ, Cavalcanti MIDS, Machado DC, Medeiros PL, Rodrigues CG. Alphatoxin Nanopore Detection of Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin and Fumonisin in Aqueous Solution. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15030183. [PMID: 36977074 PMCID: PMC10058818 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030183] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins are toxic and carcinogenic metabolites produced by groups of filamentous fungi that colonize food crops. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) are among the most relevant agricultural mycotoxins, as they can induce various toxic processes in humans and animals. To detect AFB1, OTA and FB1 in the most varied matrices, chromatographic and immunological methods are primarily used; however, these techniques are time-consuming and expensive. In this study, we demonstrate that unitary alphatoxin nanopore can be used to detect and differentiate these mycotoxins in aqueous solution. The presence of AFB1, OTA or FB1 inside the nanopore induces reversible blockage of the ionic current flowing through the nanopore, with distinct characteristics of blockage that are unique to each of the three toxins. The process of discrimination is based on the residual current ratio calculation and analysis of the residence time of each mycotoxin inside the unitary nanopore. Using a single alphatoxin nanopore, the mycotoxins could be detected at the nanomolar level, indicating that alphatoxin nanopore is a promising molecular tool for discriminatory analysis of mycotoxins in aqueous solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Alves Rodrigues da Silva
- Education and Health Center, Federal University of Campina Grande, Rua Aprígio Veloso, 882, Universitário, Campina Grande 58429-900, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Therapeutic Innovation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Janilson José da Silva Júnior
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel dos Santos Cavalcanti
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Dijanah Cota Machado
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Paloma Lys Medeiros
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
| | - Claudio Gabriel Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Therapeutic Innovation, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Professor Moraes Rego, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-81-2126-8535
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Diversity of Cellulolytic Microorganisms Associated with the Subterranean Termite Reticulitermes grassei. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9030294. [PMID: 36983462 PMCID: PMC10051133 DOI: 10.3390/jof9030294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Reticulitermes grassei is a subterranean termite species that forages on woody structures of the Iberian Peninsula, and is often a building and crops pest. A total of 23 microorganisms associated with the activity of R. grassei were isolated from colonized ecosystems in southern Spain. They were morphologically and molecularly characterized, with fungi being the most prevalent ones. The fungi showed high values of optimum growth temperature, suggesting that they could be able to survive and develop in warm regions. Their cellulolytic activity was tested in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) agar, concluding that all fungal isolates produce cellulases, and the enzymatic index (EI) was revealed in CMC agar with Gram’s iodine solution, with Penicillium citrinum showing the highest EI and Trichoderma longibrachiatum the highest mycelial growth rate on CMC. A preliminary microorganism dispersion assay was carried out with the termites, concluding that these insects may have a positive influence on fungal dispersion and the subsequent colonization of new substrates. Our study suggests that fungi associated with R. grassei may potentially be of interest in biotechnological fields such as biofuel production and the food industry.
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Bai X, Sheng Y, Tang Z, Pan J, Wang S, Tang B, Zhou T, Shi L, Zhang H. Polyketides as Secondary Metabolites from the Genus Aspergillus. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:261. [PMID: 36836375 PMCID: PMC9962652 DOI: 10.3390/jof9020261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyketides are an important class of structurally diverse natural products derived from a precursor molecule consisting of a chain of alternating ketone and methylene groups. These compounds have attracted the worldwide attention of pharmaceutical researchers since they are endowed with a wide array of biological properties. As one of the most common filamentous fungi in nature, Aspergillus spp. is well known as an excellent producer of polyketide compounds with therapeutic potential. By extensive literature search and data analysis, this review comprehensively summarizes Aspergillus-derived polyketides for the first time, regarding their occurrences, chemical structures and bioactivities as well as biosynthetic logics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelian Bai
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yue Sheng
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Zhenxing Tang
- School of Culinary Arts, Tourism College of Zhejiang, Hangzhou 311231, China
| | - Jingyi Pan
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Shigui Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Bin Tang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Lu’e Shi
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Huawei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
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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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48
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Dery M, Choe DH. Effect of Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) Aldehydes on Efficacy of Fungal Biopesticides. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:40-46. [PMID: 36124973 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac088] [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: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals. - Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) has been recently incorporated in the management of bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Bed bugs produce a set of aldehydes that are known to affect the growth of some fungi. Considering that bed bugs or their exuviae release these aldehydes, it was suspected that the bed bugs' aggregation sites would contain an increased level of the bed bug aldehydes. The current study examined if elevated levels of the bed bug aldehydes in the microhabitats would impact the efficacy of B. bassiana. Following a brief exposure to the residues of commercial products containing B. bassiana, the treated bed bugs were kept in a vial with or without a natural or artificial blend of bed bug aldehydes (i.e., exuviae or synthetic compounds). For a B. bassiana product that is not currently registered for bed bugs control, the presence of aldehydes significantly reduced 15-d mortality (61-62%) compared to the no aldehydes control (97.7%). However, when tested with a B. bassiana formulation designed for bed bug control, the aldehydes only caused delayed mortality for the treated bed bugs. When tested in culture, the growth rate of B. bassiana on a medium was significantly reduced when the bed bug aldehydes were provided in the headspace. Implications on practical bed bug management using fungal biopesticides are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Dery
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Dong-Hwan Choe
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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Njoki L, Okoth S, Wachira P, Ouko A, Mwololo J, Rizzu M, Oufensou S, Amakhobe T. Evaluation of Agronomic Characteristics, Disease Incidence, Yield Performance, and Aflatoxin Accumulation among Six Peanut Varieties ( Arachis hypogea L.) Grown in Kenya. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:111. [PMID: 36828425 PMCID: PMC9962968 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases contribute to attainment of less than 50% of the local groundnut potential yield in Kenya. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics (flowering and germination), disease incidence, yield performance (biomass, harvest index, 100-pod, 100-seed, and total pod weight), and aflatoxin accumulation in six peanut varieties. A field experiment was conducted using four newly improved peanut varieties: CG9, CG7, CG12, and ICGV-SM 90704 (Nsinjiro), and two locally used varieties: Homabay local (control) and 12991, and in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The disease identification followed the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) rating scale and further isolation of fungal contaminants was conducted by a direct plating technique using potato dextrose agar. The aflatoxin levels in the peanuts were determined after harvesting using the ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection (UHPLC-FLD) technique. ICGV-SM 90704 showed the least average disease incidence of 1.31 ± 1.75%, (P < 0.05); the lowest total aflatoxin levels (1.82 ± 1.41 μg kg-1) with a range 0.00-0.85 μg kg-1 for total aflatoxins and a range 0.00-1.24 μg kg-1 for Aflatoxin B1. The locally used varieties (12991 and the control) revealed the highest disease incidence (5.41 ± 8.31% and 7.41 ± 1.88%), respectively. ICGV-SM 90704 was the best performing among all the six varieties with an average total pod weight (9.22 ± 1.19 kg), 100-pod weight (262.93 ± 10.8 g), and biomass of (27.21 ± 5.05 kg) per row. The 12991 variety and the control showed the least total pod weight (1.60 ± 0.28 and 1.50 ± 1.11 kg, respectively) (P = 0.0001). The newly improved varieties showed lower disease rates, low levels of aflatoxins, and higher yields than the locally used varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loise Njoki
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
| | - Sheila Okoth
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
| | - Peter Wachira
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
| | - Abigael Ouko
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
| | - James Mwololo
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Lilongew P.O. Box 1096, Malawi
| | - Margherita Rizzu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Italy Nucleo di Ricerca sulla Desertificazione, NRD, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Safa Oufensou
- Dipartimento di Agraria, Italy Nucleo di Ricerca sulla Desertificazione, NRD, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Truphosa Amakhobe
- Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
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Furukawa T, Kushiro M, Nakagawa H, Enomoto H, Sakuda S. Low-dose ethanol increases aflatoxin production due to the adh1-dependent incorporation of ethanol into aflatoxin biosynthesis. iScience 2023; 26:106051. [PMID: 36818304 PMCID: PMC9932502 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106051] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by some aspergilli, including Aspergillus flavus. Recently, ethanol has attracted attention as an agent for the control of aflatoxin contamination. However, as aflatoxin biosynthesis utilizes acetyl coenzyme A, ethanol may be conversely exploited for aflatoxin production. Here, we demonstrated that not only the 13C of labeled ethanol, but also that of labeled 2-propanol, was incorporated into aflatoxin B1 and B2, and that ethanol and 2-propanol upregulated aflatoxin production at low concentrations (<1% and <0.6%, respectively). In the alcohol dehydrogenase gene adh1 deletion mutant, the 13C incorporation of labeled ethanol, but not labeled 2-propanol, into aflatoxin B1 and B2 was attenuated, indicating that the alcohols have different utilization pathways. Our results show that A. flavus utilizes ethanol and 2-propanol as carbon sources for aflatoxin biosynthesis and that adh1 indirectly controls aflatoxin production by balancing ethanol production and catabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Furukawa
- Institute of Food Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 2-1-12 Kannon-dai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8642, Japan,Corresponding author
| | - Masayo Kushiro
- Institute of Food Research, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), 2-1-12 Kannon-dai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8642, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakagawa
- Research Center for Advanced Analysis, NARO, 2-1-12 Kannon-dai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8642, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Enomoto
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, 1-1 Toyosatodai, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 320-8551, Japan,Advanced Instrumental Analysis Center, Teikyo University, 1-1 Toyosatodai, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 320-8551, Japan
| | - Shohei Sakuda
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Teikyo University, 1-1 Toyosatodai, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi 320-8551, Japan
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