A Polyphasic Approach Aids Early Detection of Potentially Toxigenic Aspergilli in Soil.

ABSTRACT: Key chili and maize growing areas of Pakistan were selected for a focused baseline study of the levels of Aspergillus spp. Investigations were undertaken using a combination of molecular and culture-based techniques. Samples investigated included soil samples, one-year-old corn cobs, and fresh chili from selected locations. Aspergillus strains obtained from corn cobs were screened using coconut milk agar, resulting in one strain that was positive for aflatoxin production. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) with low coverage techniques were employed to screen the isolates for differences in the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and mitochondrial genome, with the aflatoxigenic strain proving to have a distinctive profile. Finally, strains were subjected to matrix-assisted laser-desorption

SUBMITTER: Cafa G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6781248 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature