The determination of aflatoxin production ability and differentiation of aflatoxigenic strains can be assessed by monitoring the expression of one or several key genes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We herein describe the methods for RNA induction, extraction, and quality determination, and the RT-PCR conditions used to evaluate the ability of a given Aspergillu...

DNA polymorphisms were used to infer relationships of a morphologically distinct new strain of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus to other members of Aspergillus sect. Flavi. The new strain produced both Band G aflatoxins, and differed both morphologically and physiologically from other aflatoxin producers. Three isolates of the new fungus were compared with representatives of three known aflatoxi...

This study assessed the composition of aeromycota at a grain mill and four dwellings (two apartments and two basements) as well as in outdoor air during one year in Zagreb, Croatia. The incidence of Aspergilli from sections Flavi, Nigri, and Versicolores was also assessed. Airborne fungi were collected using an air-sampler and DG-18 agar plates. The average concentrations of airborne fungi in t...

Fungal communities in soils of Nigerian maize fields were examined to determine distributions of aflatoxin-producing fungi and to identify endemic atoxigenic strains of potential value as biological control agents for limiting aflatoxin contamination in West African crops. Over 1000 isolates belonging to Aspergillus section Flavi were collected from soil of 55 Nigerian maize fields located in t...

Aflatoxins are highly toxic carcinogens that contaminate crops worldwide. Previous studies conducted in Nigeria and Ghana found high concentrations of aflatoxins in pre- and post-harvest maize. However, little information is available on the population structure of Aspergillus Sect. Flavi in West Africa. We determined the incidence of Aspergillus Sect. Flavi and the level of aflatoxin contamina...

Crops frequently contaminated by aflatoxins are important sources of revenue and daily nourishment in many portions of sub-Saharan Africa. In recent years, reports have associated aflatoxins with diminished human health and export opportunities in many African Nations. Aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic metabolites mainly produced by members of Aspergillus sect. Flavi. The current study examine...

The present study reports on the natural mycobiota occurring in cocoa beans, paying special attention to the incidence of fungal species that are potential producers of mycotoxins. The results show that predominant fungi were different species of the genus Aspergillus belonging to section Flavi and Nigri. Of the 214 strains of Aspergillus section Flavi collected from cocoa beans, 120 were ident...