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Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
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Isolation and toxigenicity of Aspergillus fumigatus from moldy silage

Valentina Melo dos Santos1, Joe W Dorner, Fátima Carreira

  • 1Sector de Micologia, Laboratório Regional de Veterinária, 9700-236 Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal. valentina@drda.raa.pt

Mycopathologia
|May 8, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Fungi, including Aspergillus fumigatus, contaminate Azores silage, producing mycotoxins. Proper silo management is crucial to prevent contamination and protect animal health.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Food Safety
  • Animal Health

Background:

  • Silage quality is vital for livestock health.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus is a common silage contaminant.
  • Mycotoxins produced by A. fumigatus pose health risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess fungal and A. fumigatus contamination in Azores silage.
  • To determine the mycotoxin production potential of A. fumigatus isolates.
  • To inform best practices for silo management.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 39 silage samples from Terceira Island silos.
  • Quantified total fungi and A. fumigatus populations.
  • Analyzed A. fumigatus isolates for fumitremorgen B/C, fumigaclavine B/C, and gliotoxin production.

Main Results:

  • 87% of silage samples were contaminated with fungi; 69% with A. fumigatus.
  • Surface samples showed higher fungal and A. fumigatus loads than middle samples.
  • 59.3% of isolates produced fumitremorgen B; 33.3% fumitremorgen C; 29.6% fumigaclavine B; 7.4% fumigaclavine C; 11.1% gliotoxin. 52% produced multiple toxins.

Conclusions:

  • Azores silage is frequently contaminated with toxigenic A. fumigatus.
  • Silo surface contamination is a significant issue.
  • Effective silo construction and management are essential to mitigate mycotoxin risks.

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