Whole-genome sequence of an strain isolated from Kenyan soil.

is an important aflatoxigenic fungus, frequently found in soil samples. Here, we report the sequencing of strain MRI410 using Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore platforms. This strain was isolated from soil of a Kenyan maize field.

Whole-Genome Sequences of Two Kenyan Aspergillus minisclerotigenes Strains.

Here, we report the sequencing of the whole genome, including the mitochondrial DNA, of the two highly aflatoxigenic Aspergillus minisclerotigenes strains MRI390 and MRI400 using the MiSeq and PacBio platforms and the generated assemblies. The strains were isolated from Kenyan maize kernels.

Formation of B- and M-group aflatoxins and precursors by Aspergillus flavus on maize and its implication for food safety.

Aflatoxins count to the most toxic known mycotoxins and are a threat to food safety especially in regions with a warm and humid climate. Contaminated food reaches consumers globally due to international trade, leading to stringent regulatory limits of aflatoxins in food. While the formation of aflatoxin (AF) B by the filamentous fungus Aspergillus flavus is well investigated, less is known about the formation kinetics of its precursors and further aflatoxins.

Draft Genome Sequence of an Aflatoxin-Producing Aspergillus flavus Strain Isolated from Food.

Aspergillus flavus is the main producer of carcinogenic aflatoxins and thus is one of the most important fungal food contaminants. Here, we report that the genome of A. flavus strain MRI19 was sequenced using MiSeq and PacBio platforms and that a hybrid assembly was generated.

Analysis of the competitiveness between a non-aflatoxigenic and an aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strain on maize kernels by droplet digital PCR.

Non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains are used as a biocontrol system on maize fields to decrease the aflatoxin biosynthesis of aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains. A.

Influence of Light and Water Activity on Growth and Mycotoxin Formation of Selected Isolates of and .

and are the main causes of aflatoxin contamination in various foods, particularly grains, as they can thrive in environments with lower water activity and higher temperatures. The growth of and the formation of the mycotoxins aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid are strongly influenced by environmental stimuli and can be reduced by modulating parameters such as water activity, pH, temperature and light during the storage. This study has two objectives-on the one hand, to assess how global warming and an increase in exposure to sunlight affect growth and mycotoxin formation, and on the other hand, how the findings from these experiments can be used to reduce fungal growth and mycotoxin formation in stored foods.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of the Fungus Penicillium citrinum Reveals the Biosynthesis Gene Cluster for the Mycotoxin Citrinin.

Penicillium citrinum is a food-contaminating ascomycete that consistently produces large amounts of the mycotoxin citrinin. Citrinin exhibits, besides its toxicity, antibiotic effects and thus potentially forces antibiotic resistance. Within the genome sequence, we identified the biosynthesis gene cluster for citrinin, which appears to be highly conserved within the genus .

Sequencing and Analysis of the Genome of the Filamentous Fungus BFE808, Which Produces the Mycotoxins Citrinin and Ochratoxin.

Penicillium verrucosum is a filamentous ascomycete that occurs worldwide. Various cereals and the products thereof are the main habitats of this fungal species, where it produces the mycotoxins ochratoxin and citrinin. Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of P.

Citrinin as an accessory establishment factor of P. expansum for the colonization of apples.

Penicillium expansum is the causal agent of blue mold decay of apples. This fungal species can produce the two important mycotoxins patulin and citrinin. It was previously shown that patulin represents a colonization factor for the infection of apples.

Influence of Environmental Factors on the Production of Penitrems A-F by Penicillium crustosum.

Filamentous fungi produce a multitude of secondary metabolites, some of them known as mycotoxins, which are toxic to vertebrates and other animal groups in low concentrations. Among them, penitrems, which belong to the group of indole-diterpene mycotoxins, are synthesized by Penicillium and Aspergillus genera and exhibit potent tremorgenic effects. This is the first complex study of the penitrems A-F production under the influence of different abiotic factors, e.

Sulfoglucosides as Novel Modified Forms of the Mycotoxins Alternariol and Alternariol Monomethyl Ether.

The mycotoxins alternariol and alternariol-9-O-methyl ether have recently been reported to be extensively conjugated with glucose and malonyl glucose in tobacco suspension cells. However, only trace amounts of glucosylated conjugates were detected in tomatoes inoculated with Alternaria alternata in the present study. Instead, mostly sulfate conjugates were observed.

Arginine acts as an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of several mycotoxins.

It is well known that the type and the availability of nitrogen have a great influence on the biosynthesis of certain mycotoxins. Here it is shown that some amino acids have no influence, some others strongly support and a third group inhibits the biosynthesis of ochratoxin (OTA) by Penicillium nordicum even in a complex medium, such as PDA. Arginine (Arg) is one of the strong OTA inhibiting amino acids.

Influence of Different Nanomaterials on Growth and Mycotoxin Production of Penicillium verrucosum.

Nanoparticles are ubiquitous in the environment. They originate from anthropogenic or natural sources or they are intentionally produced for different purposes. There exist manifold applications of nanoparticles in modern life leading unavoidably to a confrontation and interaction between nanomaterial and living organisms.

Impacts of environmental stress on growth, secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters and metabolite production of xerotolerant/xerophilic fungi.

This paper examines the impact that single and interacting environmental stress factors have on tolerance mechanisms, molecular ecology and the relationship with secondary metabolite production by a group of mycotoxigenic species of economic importance. Growth of these fungi (Aspergillus flavus, A.ochraceus, A.

Oxidative stress induces the biosynthesis of citrinin by Penicillium verrucosum at the expense of ochratoxin.

Penicillium verrucosum is a fungus that can produce ochratoxin A and citrinin, two structurally related nephrotoxic mycotoxins. P. verrucosum usually occurs on wheat but can occasionally also be found in NaCl rich habitats such as salted cheeses or olives, indicating that this fungus can adapt to different environments.

Comparative proteome analysis of Penicillium verrucosum grown under light of short wavelength shows an induction of stress-related proteins associated with modified mycotoxin biosynthesis.

In this study the differentially expressed protein population of Penicillium verrucosum grown either in the dark or under light with a wavelength of 450nm has been analyzed. Light of short wavelength led to oxidative stress in the fungal cell; under this condition the mycotoxin biosynthesis revealed a mutual shift from ochratoxin A to citrinin. Using a proteomic approach combining an optimized protein extraction method with 2-dimensional SDS-PAGE followed by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS/MS mass spectrometric analysis, initially 56 significantly differential proteins (light vs.

Differences in the regulation of ochratoxin A by the HOG pathway in Penicillium and Aspergillus in response to high osmolar environments.

Penicillium verrucosum, P. nordicum and Aspergillus carbonarius are three important ochratoxin A producing species. P.

Intraspecific variability of HOG1 phosphorylation in Penicillium verrucosum reflects different adaptation levels to salt rich habitats.

Mycotoxin biosynthesis in Penicillium verrucosum is modulated by different molecular regulation mechanisms. One important mechanism is the HOG1 (high osmolarity glycerol) MAP kinase signaling pathway. In a comparative analysis three different P.

Integrating toxin gene expression, growth and fumonisin B1 and B2 production by a strain of Fusarium verticillioides under different environmental factors.

The objective of this study was to integrate data on the effect of water activity (a(w); 0.995-0.93) and temperature (20-35 °C) on activation of the biosynthetic FUM genes, growth and the mycotoxins fumonisin (FB1, FB2) by Fusarium verticillioides in vitro.

Wavelength-dependent degradation of ochratoxin and citrinin by light in vitro and in vivo and its implications on Penicillium.

It has previously been shown that the biosynthesis of the mycotoxins ochratoxin A and B and of citrinin by Penicillium is regulated by light. However, not only the biosynthesis of these mycotoxins, but also the molecules themselves are strongly affected by light of certain wavelengths. The white light and blue light of 470 and 455 nm are especially able to degrade ochratoxin A, ochratoxin B and citrinin after exposure for a certain time.

HOG MAP kinase regulation of alternariol biosynthesis in Alternaria alternata is important for substrate colonization.

Strains of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitously present and frequently found on fruits, vegetables and cereals. One of the most commonly found species from this genus is A. alternata which is able to produce the mycotoxin alternariol among others.

Influence of light on growth, conidiation and fumonisin production by Fusarium verticillioides.

Light is a very important signal for fungi since it influences many different physiological responses. We analyzed the influence of light of varying wavelength and intensity on growth, conidiation and biosynthesis of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), B(2) (FB(2)), and B(3) (FB(3)) by Fusarium verticillioides ITEM 10027. Wavelengths across the visible spectrum, from red (627 nm) to blue (470-455 nm), stimulated the growth and increased the fumonisin production, by up to 150 % over dark incubation.

The biosynthesis of ochratoxin A by Penicillium as one mechanism for adaptation to NaCl rich foods.

Penicillium.nordicum is an ochratoxin A producing filamentous fungus, which is adapted to sodium chloride and protein rich food environments like certain cheeses or dry cured meats. Penicillium.

Influence of light on growth, fumonisin biosynthesis and FUM1 gene expression by Fusarium proliferatum.

Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins, mainly found in maize and maize-based food and feed, associated with several diseases in animals. The impact of these toxins on the economy and health worldwide has driven several efforts to clarify the role of environmental factors that can influence fumonisin biosynthesis by the toxigenic species. We analyzed the influence of light of varying wavelength on growth and fumonisin biosynthesis by the fungus Fusarium proliferatum ITEM 1719.