Restriction analysis of an amplified rodA gene fragment to distinguish Aspergillus fumigatus var. ellipticus from Aspergillus fumigatus var. fumigatus

Patulin production by Penicillium expansum isolates from apples during different steps of long-term storage

Penicillium expansum is the principal cause of blue mould rot and associated production of patulin, a weak mycotoxin, in apples worldwide. P. expansum growth and patulin production is observed during improper or long-term storage of apples. We have investigated the extent to which each successive step during long-term storage contributes to patulin production in various P. expansum isolates. Fungal isolates collected on apples from several Belgian orchards/industries were identified to species level. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and β-tubulin gene sequencing identified P. expansum and Penicillium solitum as the most prevalent Penicillium species associated with Belgian apples. All 27 P. expansum isolates and eight reference strains were characterised for their patulin production capacity on apple puree agar medium for five days under classical constant temperature and atmosphere conditions. Under these conditions, a large range of patulin production levels was observed. Based on this phenotypic diversity, five P. expansum isolates and one reference strain were selected for in vitro investigation of patulin production under representative conditions in each step of long-term apple storage. Patulin accumulation seemed highly strain dependent and no significant differences between the storage steps were observed. The results also indicated that a high spore inoculum may lead to a strong patulin accumulation even at cold temperatures (1 °C) combined with controlled atmosphere (CA) (3% O2, 1% CO2), suggesting that future control strategies may benefit from considering the duration of storage under CA conditions as well as duration of deck storage.

Detection and identification of xerophilic fungi in Belgian chocolate confectionery factories

Chocolate confectionery fillings are generally regarded as microbiologically stable. The stability of these fillings is largely due to the general practice of adding either alcohol or preservatives. Consumer demands are now stimulating producers to move away from adding alcohol or other preservatives to their confectionery fillings and instead to search for innovative formulations. Such changes in composition can influence the shelf life of the product and may lead to spoilage by xerophilic fungi. The aim of this study was to test whether the production environment of Belgian chocolate confectionery factories and common ingredients of chocolate confectioneries could be potential sources of contamination with xerophilic fungal species. In the factory environment, the general and strictly xerophilic fungal spore load was determined using an RCS Air Sampler device in combination with DG18 and MY50G medium, respectively. Four basic ingredients of chocolate confectionery fillings were also examined for fungal spore levels using a direct plating technique. Detected fungi were identified to species level by a combination of morphological characterization and sequence analysis. Results indicated a general fungal spore load in the range of 50-250 colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m(3) air) and a more strict xerophilic spore load below 50 CFU/m(3) air. These results indicate rather low levels of fungal spores present in the factory environment. The most prevalent fungi in the factory environment were identified as Penicillium spp., particularly Penicillium brevicompactum. Examination of the basic ingredients of confectionery fillings revealed nuts to be the most likely potential source of direct contamination. In nuts, the most prevalent fungal species identified were Eurotium, particularly Eurotium repens.