Detection of Penicillium expansum by polymerase chain reaction

Penicillium expansum is a major causative agent of postharvest decay in a variety of fruits, including apples, peaches, nectarines, and cherries. It causes significant economic losses to the fruit industry and is also of potential public health significance, since it produces patulin, a mycotoxin known to cause harmful effects in animals. Rapid and specific detection of P. expansum is important for ensuring microbiological quality and safety of fruits and fruit juices. The traditional methods for identification of P. expansum are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, we report a polymerase chain reaction utilizing primers based on the polygalacturonase gene of P. expansum. The PCR amplified a 404-bp DNA product from all the P. expansum isolates tested, but not in other common foodborne Penicillium species and Escherichia coli. Experiments to determine the sensitivity of the PCR indicated that it can detect the DNA equivalent from as low as 25 spores of P. expansum. The PCR could potentially be used as a rapid tool for screening fruits for the presence of P. expansum.