MYCOBIOTA ISOLATION AND AFLATOXIN B1 CONTAMINATION IN FRESH AND STORED SESAME SEEDS FROM RAINFED AND IRRIGATED ZONES OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Author(s):  
MARYAM AJMAL ◽  
Abida Akram ◽  
Nafeesa Qudsia Hanif ◽  
Tariq Mukhtar ◽  
Muhammad Arshad

Study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of mycobiota and contamination of AFB 1  in sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones of the Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, 100 sesame seed samples were collected directly from the fields of major sesame-producing areas of the rainfed and irrigated zone. Samples were subjected to the Agar Plate Method for the isolation of mycobiota and thin-layer chromatography for AFB 1 contaminations. Then, seed samples were stored for 12 months. After 12 months, the seeds were again analyzed for mycobiota and AFB 1 contaminations for comparison. The result of the present study revealed that all samples were reported positive for fungal growth in fresh and stored conditions. Twenty-one fungal species belonging to ten different fungal genera were isolated. Aspergillus flavus was the leading contaminant found in fresh and stored sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zone followed by A. niger, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum . Least reported fungi were Aspergillus ochraceus and Cladosporium oxysporum.  AFB 1 analysis revealed that 92% fresh and 99% stored samples were contaminated with AFB 1 . In the rainfed zone, 88% fresh and 100% stored samples were contaminated with AFB 1 with a mean concentration of 15.74ppb and 33.8ppb, respectively. Similarly, in the irrigated zone, 96% fresh and 98% stored samples were contaminated with AFB 1 with a mean concentration of 20.5ppb and 27.56ppb, respectively. 20% fresh and 100% stored samples from rainfed zone and 28% fresh and 60% stored samples from irrigated zone were tainted with AFB 1 levels above 20 ppb, not fit for human consumption as per maximum limit (20ppb) assigned by FDA and FAO. This is the first-ever report of mycobiota and AFB 1 contamination in sesame seeds from rainfed and irrigated zones of the Punjab, Pakistan. This baseline data will be considered as an initial step to tackle this significant problem.

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratikshya Pandit ◽  
Om Prakash Panta ◽  
Tika Bahadur Karki

The occurrence of mycotoxins in foods and feeds has long been recognized as a potential hazard for human and animal health due to their severe toxic and carcinogenic properties. Among various mycotoxins, ochratoxin A (OTA) is the most hazardous one because of its serval contamination cases in the world. In this study contamination levels of Aspergillus ochraceus in coffee samples were assessed, where two strains of it were isolated from 65 coffee samples. They were confirmed by using Czapeck yeast extract agar (CYA). Fermentation was carried out for ochratoxin production at different moisture levels: 20%, 40% and 60% by using coffee as a substrate. The extract was assayed for the presence of ochratoxin by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Results showed that high production of this toxin (402 ppb) was obtained in coffee containing 60% of moisture after 19 days of incubation period with high load of fungal growth and the effect of roasting on coffee containing ochratoxin was observed where the level of it was decreased after roasting. It can be concluded that coffee substrate with high level of moisture favored good condition for the growth of A. ochraceus and ochratoxin formation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v15i1.12030 Nepal Journal of Science and TechnologyVol. 15, No.1 (2014) 133-138 


2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 4180-4188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitte Andersen ◽  
Jens C. Frisvad ◽  
Ib Søndergaard ◽  
Ib S. Rasmussen ◽  
Lisbeth S. Larsen

ABSTRACTFungal growth in damp or water-damaged buildings worldwide is an increasing problem, which has adverse effects on both the occupants and the buildings. Air sampling alone in moldy buildings does not reveal the full diversity of fungal species growing on building materials. One aim of this study was to estimate the qualitative and quantitative diversity of fungi growing on damp or water-damaged building materials. Another was to determine if associations exist between the most commonly found fungal species and different types of materials. More than 5,300 surface samples were taken by means of V8 contact plates from materials with visible fungal growth. Fungal identifications and information on building material components were analyzed using multivariate statistic methods to determine associations between fungi and material components. The results confirmed thatPenicillium chrysogenumandAspergillus versicolorare the most common fungal species in water-damaged buildings. The results also showedChaetomiumspp.,Acremoniumspp., andUlocladiumspp. to be very common on damp building materials. Analyses show that associated mycobiotas exist on different building materials. Associations were found between (i)Acremoniumspp.,Penicillium chrysogenum,Stachybotrysspp.,Ulocladiumspp., and gypsum and wallpaper, (ii)Arthrinium phaeospermum,Aureobasidium pullulans,Cladosporium herbarum,Trichodermaspp., yeasts, and different types of wood and plywood, and (iii)Aspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus melleus,Aspergillus niger,Aspergillus ochraceus,Chaetomiumspp.,Mucor racemosus,Mucor spinosus, and concrete and other floor-related materials. These results can be used to develop new and resistant building materials and relevant allergen extracts and to help focus research on relevant mycotoxins, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), and microparticles released into the indoor environment.


Azo dyes are the largest class dye used in textile and other industries. Beside of its large benefits it is also toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic, that constitutes a significant burden to the environment, human as well as animal health. Physicochemical treatment was employed to degrade and detoxify these azo dyes. However this method has limitation in releasing toxic degradant and not economical. It is timely important to search alternative biological ecofriendly treatment methods. The aim of this study was to screen, identify and evaluate potential fungal species having the ability to decolorize and degrade the Azo dyes for the development of consortia bio inoculants.150 industry effluent waste water was collected and fungal species were isolated & identified using Biolog Microstaton identification technology. The fungal azodye decolorization activities were qualitatively evaluated on Remazol yellow, Navey blue, Procion red MX-5B dyes using solid agar plate and broth assay. The result revealed that the percentage of frequency of fungi in waste water was 63.88 % were filamentous fungi and 38.22% non-filamentous fungi. Aspergillus species were dominant (32%). Thirteen fungal species was identified using Biolog MicroStaion reading machine. These are Trichosporon begilli, Rodotrula auranticaA, Candida palmioleophila, Cryptococus terrus, Yarrowia lipolytica, Cryptococus albidus, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus restrictus, Aspergillus carneus, Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium roqueforti, Penicillium digitatum, Fusarium javanicum. Among the fungal isolates tested, only 6 fungi species showed 72-92% decolorization potential measured by Biolog turbidimeter, these are T. begilli, R. aurantica A, P. roqueforti, P. digitatum, A. ochraceus F. javanicum four species, C. palmioleophila, C. terrus, Y. lipolytica, C. albidus, 34-71% decolorizing ability of Navy blue. 3 species, P. brevicompactum, A. carneus, A. restrictus showed 16-29% decolorizing ability. Trichosporon begilli was superior in clear zone formation on solid agar plate test (5.4mm). Through supporting this preliminary study by HPLC, &spectrophotometer analysis for enzymes and secondary metabolite study, it is possible to formulate and develop fungal bioinnoculant consortia for mycoremediation service.


1985 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 699-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. CAMPANO ◽  
A. W. KOTULA ◽  
D. M. KINSMAN

The antibacterial and competitive nature of the molds Thamnidium elegans, Mucor mucedo and Chaetostylum fresenii, commonly isolated from beef aging at refrigeration temperature for extended periods, were examined to determine if their presence on meat would inhibit bacterial growth. An agar plate method revealed no growth inhibition of six strains of meat spoilage bacteria by the molds examined. Eye round (semitendinosus) roasts were inoculated with spore suspensions containing nine strains of the three fungal species and incubated for 48 h at 4 or 18°C. Initial aerobic bacterial counts (35°C) on the meat samples were 2.4 × 104 CFU/cm2. Mold treatment had no significant effect (P>0.05) on reduction of aerobic bacterial counts (35 and 7°C), coliforms or fecal streptococci when compared with uninoculated controls. No surface fungal growth was evident after 48 h at 4°C, the normal storage temperature for meat, whereas appreciable mycelial development was apparent after 48 h at 18°C. T. elegans, M. mucedo and C. fresenii were not capable of reducing or controlling bacterial growth on meat surfaces at refrigeration or elevated temperatures.


Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Chaoyun Xu ◽  
Qiming Sun ◽  
Jinrong Xu ◽  
Yunrong Chai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Microbiome interactions are important determinants for ecosystem functioning, stability, and health. In previous studies, it was often observed that bacteria suppress potentially pathogenic fungal species that are part of the same plant microbiota; however, the underlying microbe-microbe interplay remains mostly elusive. Here, we explored antagonistic interactions of the fungus Fusarium graminearum and bacterium Streptomyces hygroscopicus at the molecular level. Both are ubiquitous members of the healthy wheat microbiota; under dysbiosis, the fungus causes devastating diseases. Results In co-cultures, we found that Streptomyces alters the fungal acetylome leading to substantial induction of fungal autophagy. The bacterium secrets rapamycin to inactivate the target of rapamycin (TOR), which subsequently promotes the degradation of the fungal histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 through the 26S proteasome. Gcn5 negatively regulates fungal autophagy by acetylating the autophagy-related protein Atg8 at the lysine site K13 and blocking cellular relocalization of Atg8. Thus, degradation of Gcn5 triggered by rapamycin was found to reduce Atg8 acetylation, resulting in autophagy induction in F. graminearum. Conclusions Autophagy homeostasis plays an essential role in fungal growth and competition, as well as for virulence. Our work reveals a novel post-translational regulation of autophagy initiated by a bacterial antibiotic. Rapamycin was shown to be a powerful modulator of bacteria–fungi interactions with potential importance in explaining microbial homeostasis in healthy plant microbiomes. The autophagic process provides novel possibilities and targets to biologically control pathogens.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8681
Author(s):  
Nicolò Orsoni ◽  
Francesca Degola ◽  
Luca Nerva ◽  
Franco Bisceglie ◽  
Giorgio Spadola ◽  
...  

As key players in biotic stress response of plants, jasmonic acid (JA) and its derivatives cover a specific and prominent role in pathogens-mediated signaling and hence are promising candidates for a sustainable management of phytopathogenic fungi. Recently, JA directed antimicrobial effects on plant pathogens has been suggested, supporting the theory of oxylipins as double gamers in plant-pathogen interaction. Based on these premises, six derivatives (dihydrojasmone and cis-jasmone, two thiosemicarbazonic derivatives and their corresponding complexes with copper) have been evaluated against 13 fungal species affecting various economically important herbaceous and woody crops, such as cereals, grapes and horticultural crops: Phaeoacremonium minimum, Neofusicoccum parvum, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Fomitiporia mediterranea, Fusarium poae, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae,F. sporotrichioides, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia solani,Sclerotinia spp. and Verticillium dahliae. The biological activity of these compounds was assessed in terms of growth inhibition and, for the two mycotoxigenic species A. flavus and F. sporotrichioides, also in terms of toxin containment. As expected, the inhibitory effect of molecules greatly varied amongst both genera and species; cis-jasmone thiosemicarbazone in particular has shown the wider range of effectiveness. However, our results show that thiosemicarbazones derivatives are more effective than the parent ketones in limiting fungal growth and mycotoxins production, supporting possible applications for the control of pathogenic fungi.


Author(s):  
Nazeefa Fatima ◽  
Munazza Khan ◽  
Muhammad Shuaib Kabeer

This study was conducted to determine the mean concentration of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in canned/packed fruits juices, collected from various stores in Lahore in a period of three months. These juices were categorized into four groups; local packed and canned and also imported packed and canned products. Every group consisted of ten samples. By using the di-acid digestion method, the collected samples were digested and analyzed under Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicated that the mean values of 7 out of 9 tested heavy metals including Pb, Mg, Ni, Fe, Cr, Se and Mn were above permissible limits (set by WHO) in all four understudy groups. Therefore, it was concluded that commercially available fruit juices are not all safe according to their heavy metals content for the human consumption despite their nutritive values.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Aiko ◽  
A. Mehta

Cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and clove were studied for their effect on growth of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) synthesis. The experiments were carried out in yeast extract sucrose culture broth as well as in rice supplemented with spices. AFB1 produced was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. At a concentration of 10 mg/ml, cardamom and star anise did not exhibit any antifungal or anti-aflatoxigenic activity in culture broth, whereas cinnamon and clove inhibited A. flavus growth completely. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of cinnamon and clove were 4 and 2 mg/ml, respectively. Concentrations of cinnamon and clove below their minimum inhibitory concentrations showed enhanced fungal growth, while AFB1 synthesis was reduced. Clove inhibited the synthesis of AFB1 significantly up to 99% at concentrations ≥1.0 mg/ml. The spices also inhibited AFB1 synthesis in rice at 5 mg/g, although fungal growth was not inhibited. Clove and cinnamon inhibited AFB1 synthesis significantly up to 99 and 92%, respectively, and star anise and cardamom by 41 and 23%, respectively. The results of this study suggest the use of whole spices rather than their essential oils for controlling fungal and mycotoxin contamination in food grains.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Camardo Leggieri ◽  
Amedeo Pietri ◽  
Paola Battilani

No information is available in the literature about the influence of temperature (T) on Penicillium and Aspergillus spp. growth and mycotoxin production on cheese rinds. The aim of this work was to: (i) study fungal ecology on cheese in terms of T requirements, focusing on the partitioning of mycotoxins between the rind and mycelium; and (ii) validate predictive models previously developed by in vitro trials. Grana cheese rind blocks were inoculated with A. versicolor, P. crustosum, P. nordicum, P. roqueforti, and P. verrucosum, incubated at different T regimes (10–30 °C, step 5 °C) and after 14 days the production of mycotoxins (ochratoxin A (OTA); sterigmatocystin (STC); roquefortine C (ROQ-C), mycophenolic acid (MPA), Pr toxin (PR-Tox), citrinin (CIT), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)) was quantified. All the fungi grew optimally around 15–25 °C and produced the expected mycotoxins (except MPA, Pr-Tox, and CIT). The majority of the mycotoxins produced remained in the mycelium (~90%) in three out of five fungal species (P. crustosum, P. nordicum, and P. roqueforti); the opposite occurred for A. versicolor and P. verrucosum with 71% and 58% of STC and OTA detected in cheese rind, respectively. Available predictive models fitted fungal growth on the cheese rind well, but validation was not possible for mycotoxins because they were produced in a very narrow T range.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1228-1232
Author(s):  
Shebi S ◽  
Geetha RV ◽  
Lakshmi Thangavelu Lakshmi Thangavelu

An antifungal medication, also known as an antimycotic medication, is a pharmaceutical fungicide or fungistatic used to treat and prevent mycoses such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis, serious systemic infections such as Cryptococcal meningitis, and others. In traditional medicine, extracts and essential oil from flowers and leaves are used in the belief they may be useful to treat a variety of fungal disorders. The aim of this study was to analyse the antimycotic properties of rosemary oil and its principal components. The Rosemary oil was screened for antifungal activity by the disc diffusion method. Activated cultures of Candida albicans in Sabouraud’s broth was adjusted to 0.5 McFarland standards [108cfu/ml]. 100 µl of the inoculum was introduced to molten Sabourauds dextrose agar and poured in the sterile Petri plates and allowed to set. Sterile filter paper discs (6.0 mm diameter) impregnated with 25µl, 50µl and 100µl /disc were placed on fungal seeded plates and incubated at 28oC for 48 hrs. Clear zones within which fungal growth was absent were measured and recorded as the diameter (mm) of complete growth inhibition. All the concentrations of the test solution inhibited the fungal species with varying degree of sensitivity. The extract showed good antifungal activity at different concentrations with a maximum zone of inhibition of 38 mm at concentration 100µl. This study provides a sample large enough to determine the antifungal properties of Rosemary oil and suggests further studies for possible therapeutic use.


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