Interacting climate change factors (CO2 and temperature cycles) effects on growth, secondary metabolite gene expression and phenotypic ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus carbonarius strains on a grape-based matrix

Little is known on the impact that climate change (CC) may have Aspergillus carbonarius and Ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination of grapes, especially in Mediterranean region where CC scenarios temperature are expected to increase by +2–5 °C CO 2 from 400 800/1200 ppm. This study examined effect (i) current increased alternating 11.5 h dark/12.5 light cycle (15–28 vs 18–34 °C), representative North Apulia area, South Italy (ii) existing predicted concentrations (400 1000 ppm), growth, expression biosynthetic genes ( AcOTApks , AcOTAnrps AcOTAhal AcOTAp450 AcOTAbZIP ) regulatory Velvet complex laeA / veA velB “velvet complex”) involved OTA biosynthesis phenotypic production three strains A. . The experiments made a grape-based matrix showed elevated resulted general stimulation growth production. These results were also supported up-regulation both structural biosynthesis. Our work has shown for first time concentration result an risk wine chain. • Influence alternate T° ecophysiology spergillus In vitro simulation scenario region. Respect other aspergilli, grown faster under Relative paralleled Increased ochratoxigenic grapes higher concentration.