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Mycotoxin-producing potential of fungi isolated from amaranth seeds in Argentina
G Bresler1, S B Brizzio, G Vaamonde
1Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
To evaluate the potential for mycotoxin production by molds in amaranth grains, the mycoflora was determined both before and after surface disinfection on dichloran-chloramphenicol-peptone agar (DCPA) and dichloran-18% glycerol agar (DG18). On both media Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Alternaria were the predominant genera. A flaus and A. parasiticus were the Aspergillus species most frequently isolated. P. chrysogenum was the species most common among the penicillia. F. equiseti was the predominant Fusarium species. Isolates of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium were screened for mycotoxin production on sterile rice substrate and also using a simple screening method. Toxinogenic strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus (aflatoxins), A. versicolor (sterigmatocystin), P. citrinum (citrinin), P. viridicatum (penicillic acid), F. moniliforme, F. equiseti and F. semitectum (zearalenone), were encountered. The simple screening method for toxinogenic molds showed good performance for the detection of molds producing aflatoxins and zearalenone compared with mycotoxins production on the natural substrate.
Insights
Mold contamination in amaranth grains can lead to mycotoxin production. This study identified toxin-producing Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species, highlighting risks associated with aflatoxins and zearalenone.
Area of Science:
- Food microbiology
- Mycology
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that can contaminate food and feed commodities.
- Amaranth is a pseudocereal crop with increasing global importance, necessitating an evaluation of its potential for mycotoxin contamination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the mycoflora of amaranth grains and assess the potential for mycotoxin production by isolated fungal species.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a simple screening method for detecting mycotoxin-producing molds.
Main Methods:
- Fungal isolation and identification were performed on amaranth grains using dichloran-chloramphenicol-peptone agar (DCPA) and dichloran-18% glycerol agar (DG18).
- Isolated fungal strains, primarily Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium, were screened for mycotoxin production on sterile rice and using a simple screening assay.
- Mycotoxins analyzed included aflatoxins, sterigmatocystin, citrinin, penicillic acid, and zearalenone.
Main Results:
- Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria were the predominant fungal genera found in amaranth grains.
- Toxinogenic strains of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus (aflatoxins), Aspergillus versicolor (sterigmatocystin), Penicillium citrinum (citrinin), Penicillium viridicatum (penicillic acid), and Fusarium species (zearalenone) were identified.
- The simple screening method demonstrated good performance for detecting aflatoxin and zearalenone producers.
Conclusions:
- Amaranth grains can harbor fungi capable of producing significant mycotoxins, posing a potential food safety risk.
- The identified mycotoxin-producing molds, particularly Aspergillus and Fusarium species, require careful management in amaranth production and storage.
- The simple screening method offers a practical approach for preliminary detection of key mycotoxin producers in agricultural commodities.