Raman Hyperspectral Imaging as a Potential Tool for Rapid and Nondestructive Identification of Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn Kernels.

The potential of Raman hyperspectral imaging with a 785 nm excitation line laser was examined for the detection of aflatoxin contamination in corn kernels. Nine-hundred kernels were artificially inoculated in the laboratory, with 300 kernels each inoculated with AF13 (aflatoxigenic) fungus, AF36 (nonaflatoxigenic) fungus, and sterile distilled water (control). One-hundred kernels from each treatment were subsequently incubated for 3, 5, and 8 days.

MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling of maize genotypes with differential response to Aspergillus flavus implies zma-miR156-squamosa promoter binding protein (SBP) and zma-miR398/zma-miR394-F -box combinations involved in resistance mechanisms.

Maize (Zea mays), a major food crop worldwide, is susceptible to infection by the saprophytic fungus Aspergillus flavus that can produce the carcinogenic metabolite aflatoxin (AF) especially under climate change induced abiotic stressors that favor mold growth. Several studies have used "-omics" approaches to identify genetic elements with potential roles in AF resistance, but there is a lack of research identifying the involvement of small RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in maize-A. flavus interaction.

Soil Biodegradation Resistance of Cotton Fiber Doped with Interior and Exterior Silver Nanoparticles.

Engineering fibers with nanomaterials is an effective way to modify their properties and responses to external stimuli. In this study, we doped cotton fibers with silver nanoparticles, both on the surface (126 ± 17 nm) and throughout the fiber cross section (18 ± 4 nm), and examined the resistance to soil biodegradation. A reagent-free one-pot treatment of a raw cotton fabric, where noncellulosic constituents of the raw cotton fiber and starch sizing served as reducing agents, produced silver nanoparticles with a total concentration of 11 g/kg.

Dynamic geospatial modeling of mycotoxin contamination of corn in Illinois: unveiling critical factors and predictive insights with machine learning.

Mycotoxin contamination of corn is a pervasive problem that negatively impacts human and animal health and causes economic losses to the agricultural industry worldwide. Historical aflatoxin (AFL) and fumonisin (FUM) mycotoxin contamination data of corn, daily weather data, satellite data, dynamic geospatial soil properties, and land usage parameters were modeled to identify factors significantly contributing to the outbreaks of mycotoxin contamination of corn grown in Illinois (IL), AFL >20 ppb, and FUM >5 ppm. Two methods were used: a gradient boosting machine (GBM) and a neural network (NN).

Microbiota of maize kernels as influenced by infection in susceptible and resistant inbreds.

Background: Nearly everything on Earth harbors a microbiome. A microbiome is a community of microbes (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) with potential to form complex networks that involve mutualistic and antagonistic interactions. Resident microbiota on/in an organism are determined by the external environment, both biotic and abiotic, and the intrinsic adaptability of each organism.

Gradient boosting machine learning model to predict aflatoxins in Iowa corn.

Introduction: Aflatoxin (AFL), a secondary metabolite produced from filamentous fungi, contaminates corn, posing significant health and safety hazards for humans and livestock through toxigenic and carcinogenic effects. Corn is widely used as an essential commodity for food, feed, fuel, and export markets; therefore, AFL mitigation is necessary to ensure food and feed safety within the United States (US) and elsewhere in the world. In this case study, an Iowa-centric model was developed to predict AFL contamination using historical corn contamination, meteorological, satellite, and soil property data in the largest corn-producing state in the US.

Comprehensive meta-analysis of QTL and gene expression studies identify candidate genes associated with resistance in maize.

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination, caused by , compromises the food safety and marketability of commodities, such as maize, cotton, peanuts, and tree nuts. Multigenic inheritance of AF resistance impedes conventional introgression of resistance traits into high-yielding commercial maize varieties. Several AF resistance-associated quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and markers have been reported from multiple biparental mapping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in maize.

Multiplexed Host-Induced Gene Silencing of Genes Confers Aflatoxin Resistance in Groundnut.

Aflatoxins are immunosuppressive and carcinogenic secondary metabolites, produced by the filamentous ascomycete , that are hazardous to animal and human health. In this study, we show that multiplexed host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) of genes essential for fungal sporulation and aflatoxin production (, , , and confers enhanced resistance to infection and aflatoxin contamination in groundnut (<20 ppb). Comparative proteomic analysis of contrasting groundnut genotypes (WT and near-isogenic HIGS lines) supported a better understanding of the molecular processes underlying the induced resistance and identified several groundnut metabolites that might play a significant role in resistance to infection and aflatoxin contamination.

Targeting the gene through host-induced gene silencing reduces infection and aflatoxin contamination in transgenic maize.

is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that infects maize and produces aflatoxins. Using biocontrol or developing resistant cultivars to reduce aflatoxin contamination has only achieved limited success. Here, the polygalacturonase gene () was targeted for suppression through host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize.

A Low-Cost, Portable Device for Detecting and Sorting Aflatoxin-Contaminated Maize Kernels.

Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a major food safety issue worldwide. The problem is of special significance in African countries because maize is a staple food. This manuscript describes a low-cost, portable, non-invasive device for detecting and sorting aflatoxin-contaminated maize kernels.

Putative Core Transcription Factors Affecting Virulence in during Infection of Maize.

is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for millions of dollars in crop losses annually and negative health impacts on crop consumers globally. strains have the potential to produce aflatoxin and other toxic secondary metabolites, which often increase during plant colonization. To mitigate the impacts of this international issue, we employ a range of strategies to directly impact fungal physiology, growth and development, thus requiring knowledge on the underlying molecular mechanisms driving these processes.

Gradient boosting and bayesian network machine learning models predict aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of maize in Illinois - First USA case study.

Mycotoxin contamination of corn results in significant agroeconomic losses and poses serious health issues worldwide. This paper presents the first report utilizing machine learning and historical aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination levels in-order-to develop models that can confidently predict mycotoxin contamination of corn in Illinois, a major corn producing state in the USA. Historical monthly meteorological data from a 14-year period combined with corresponding aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination data from the State of Illinois were used to engineer input features that link weather, fungal growth, and aflatoxin production in combination with gradient boosting (GBM) and bayesian network (BN) modeling.

Flavonoids Modulate Proliferation and Aflatoxin Production.

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by . They contaminate major food crops, particularly corn, and pose a worldwide health concern. Flavonoid production has been correlated to resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in corn.

Flavonoids Modulate the Accumulation of Toxins From in Maize Kernels.

is an opportunistic fungal pathogen capable of producing aflatoxins, potent carcinogenic toxins that accumulate in maize kernels after infection. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of maize resistance to growth and aflatoxin accumulation, we performed a high-throughput transcriptomic study using maize kernels infected with strain 3357. Three maize lines were evaluated: aflatoxin-contamination resistant line TZAR102, semi-resistant MI82, and susceptible line Va35.

Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation in Maize Mediated by Host-Induced Silencing of the Alkaline Protease () Gene.

is a fungal pathogen that infects maize and produces aflatoxins. Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) has been shown to reduce host infection by various fungal pathogens. Here, the alkaline protease () gene was targeted for silencing through HIGS.

Genetic Responses and Aflatoxin Inhibition during Co-Culture of Aflatoxigenic and Non-Aflatoxigenic .

Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic mycotoxin produced by . Non-aflatoxigenic (Non-tox) isolates are deployed in corn fields as biocontrol because they substantially reduce aflatoxin contamination via direct replacement and additionally via direct contact or touch with toxigenic (Tox) isolates and secretion of inhibitory/degradative chemicals. To understand touch inhibition, HPLC analysis and RNA sequencing examined aflatoxin production and gene expression of Non-tox isolate 17 and Tox isolate 53 mono-cultures and during their interaction in co-culture.

Changes in Bacterial Endophyte Community Following Infection in Resistant and Susceptible Maize Kernels.

()-mediated aflatoxin contamination in maize is a major global economic and health concern. As is an opportunistic seed pathogen, the identification of factors contributing to kernel resistance will be of great importance in the development of novel mitigation strategies. Using V3-V4 bacterial rRNA sequencing and seeds of -resistant maize breeding lines TZAR102 and MI82 and a susceptible line, SC212, we investigated kernel-specific changes in bacterial endophytes during infection.

Host Induced Gene Silencing Targeting Reduced Aflatoxin Contamination in Transgenic Maize Under Field Conditions.

Maize ( L.) is one of the major crops susceptible to infection and subsequent contamination with aflatoxins, the most potent naturally produced carcinogenic secondary metabolites. This pathogen can pose serious health concerns and cause severe economic losses due to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations on permissible levels of aflatoxins in food and feed.

Spectral-Based Screening Approach Evaluating Two Specific Maize Lines With Divergent Resistance to Invasion by Aflatoxigenic Fungi.

In an effort to control aflatoxin contamination in food and/or feed grains, a segment of research has focused on host resistance to eliminate aflatoxin from susceptible crops, including maize. To this end, screening tools are key to identifying resistant maize genotypes. The traditional field screening techniques, the kernel screening laboratory assay (KSA), and analytical methods (e.

Contribution of Maize Polyamine and Amino Acid Metabolism Toward Resistance Against Infection and Aflatoxin Production.

Polyamines (PAs) are ubiquitous polycations found in plants and other organisms that are essential for growth, development, and resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses. The role of PAs in plant disease resistance depends on the relative abundance of higher PAs [spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm)] vs. the diamine putrescine (Put) and PA catabolism.

A Rapid and Nondestructive Method for Simultaneous Determination of Aflatoxigenic Fungus and Aflatoxin Contamination on Corn Kernels.

Conventional methods for detecting aflatoxigenic fungus and aflatoxin contamination are generally time-consuming, sample-destructive, and require skilled personnel to perform, making them impossible for large-scale nondestructive screening detection, real-time, and on-site analysis. Therefore, the potential of visible-near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy over the 400-2500 nm spectral range was examined for determination of aflatoxigenic fungus infection and the corresponding aflatoxin contamination on corn kernels in a rapid and nondestructive manner. The two A.