Search Results (748)

Aflatoxin contamination, primarily caused by Aspergillus flavus, poses a significant threat to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production, food safety, and global trade. Despite extensive efforts, breeding for durable resistance remains difficult due to the polygenic and environmentally sensitive nature of resistance. Although germplasm such as J11 have shown partial resistance, none of the identified lines demonstrated stable or comprehensive protection across diverse environments. Resistance involves physical barriers, biochemical defenses, and suppression of toxin biosynthesis. However, these traits typically exhibit modest effects and are strongly influenced by genotype–environment interactions. A paradigm shift is underway with increasing focus on host susceptibility (S) genes, native peanut genes exploited by A. flavus to facilitate colonization or toxin production. Recent studies have identified promising S gene candidates such as AhS5H1/2, which suppress salicylic acid-mediated defense, and ABR1, a negative regulator of ABA signaling. Disrupting such genes through gene editing holds potential for broad-spectrum resistance. To advance resistance breeding, an integrated pipeline is essential. This includes phenotyping diverse germplasm under stress conditions, mapping resistance loci using QTL and GWAS, and applying multi-omics platforms to identify candidate genes. Functional validation using CRISPR/Cas9, Cas12a, base editors, and prime editing allows precise gene targeting. Validated genes can be introgressed into elite lines through breeding by marker-assisted and genomic selection, accelerating the breeding of aflatoxin-resistant peanut varieties. This review highlights recent advances in peanut aflatoxin resistance research, emphasizing susceptibility gene targeting and genome editing. Integrating conventional breeding with multi-omics and precision biotechnology offers a promising path toward developing aflatoxin-free peanut cultivars. Full article

Honey bees are essential pollinators for the ecosystem and food crops. However, their health and survival face threats from both biotic and abiotic stresses. Fungi, microsporidia, and bacteria might significantly contribute to colony losses. Therefore, rapid and sensitive diagnostic tools are crucial for effective disease management. In this study, molecular assays were developed to quickly and efficiently detect the main honey bee pathogens: Nosema ceranae, Aspergillus flavus, Paenibacillus larvae, and Black queen cell virus. In this context, new primer pairs were designed for use in quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) reactions. Various protocols for extracting total nucleic acids from bee tissues were tested, indicating a CTAB-based protocol as the most efficient and cost-effective. Furthermore, excluding the head of the bee from the extraction, better results were obtained in terms of quantity and purity of extracted nucleic acids. These assays showed high specificity and sensitivity, detecting up to 250 fg of N. ceranae, 25 fg of P. larvae, and 2.5 pg of A. flavus DNA, and 5 pg of BQCV cDNA, without interference from bee DNA. These qPCR assays allowed pathogen detection within 3 h and at early stages of infection, supporting timely and efficient management interventions. Full article

Mycosis is caused by, among other factors, filamentous fungi, ubiquitous molds belonging to Aspergillus spp. which are often opportunistic pathogens. Over 100 species of Aspergillus have been described. The most common species responsible for diseases in humans and animals are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger, with Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus clavatus being somewhat rarer. Aspergillus causes a range of diseases, from localized colonization and hypersensitivity reactions, through chronic necrotizing infections, to rapidly progressing angioinvasion and dissemination, leading to death. Testicular mycosis is extremely rarely described in both humans and animals. No studies in the literature report a simultaneous occurrence of testicular tumors and fungal infection of the organ, so the aim of this paper was to describe, for the first time, a case of two independent testicular tumors coexisting with testicular mycosis. A histopathological examination was performed on the left testicle of a male dog, specifically a mixed-breed dog resembling a husky weighing 22 kg and with an age of 8 years. Bilateral orchidectomy was performed for medical reasons due to the altered outline of the left testicle, leading to scrotal deformation. The dog did not show any clinical signs of illness, and the testicles were not painful. The right testicle, according to the operating veterinarian, showed no macroscopic changes, so histopathological verification was not performed. Microscopic imaging of the changes clearly indicated the coexistence of a tumor process involving Leydig cells (Leydigoma, interstitial cell tumor, ICT), Sertoli cells (Sertolioma), and fungal infection of the testis. The case suggests the possibility of the coexistence of tumor processes, which may have impaired local immune response of the tissue, with an infectious, in this case fungal, inflammatory process. Based on the literature, this paper is the first report on the occurrence of two independent histotype testicular tumors and their associated mycosis. Full article

The European chickpea market raises concerns about health risks for consumers due to contamination by mycotoxins. Contamination levels can vary depending on the farming system, and rapid and reliable screening tools are desirable. In this study, marketed chickpea seed samples from organic and non-organic farming systems were analyzed for fungal and mycotoxin contamination. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most frequently identified mycotoxigenic genera. Significant differences in fungal detection were observed among the three isolation methods used, whose combined application is proposed to enhance detection efficiency. The number of Aspergillus and Penicillium colonies was significantly higher in the organic samples. Molecular analysis identified different species within each genus, including several not previously reported in chickpea, as well as potentially aflatoxigenic species such as A. flavus/oryzae and A. parasiticus. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed aflatoxin production only by A. parasiticus, which was present in low amounts. However, the presence of potentially aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species suggests that chickpeas should be monitored to detect their safety and subsequently protect consumer health. A qPCR protocol targeting the omt-1 gene, involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis, proved to be a promising rapid tool for detecting potentially aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species. Full article

Spores of filamentous fungi are common biological particles in indoor air that can negatively impact human health, particularly among immunocompromised individuals and patients with chronic respiratory conditions. Airborne viruses represent an equally pervasive threat, with some carrying the potential for pandemic spread, affecting both healthy individuals and the immunosuppressed alike. This study investigated the abundance and diversity of airborne fungal spores in both hospital and residential environments, using custom designed air samplers with or without the presence of negative air ions (NAIs) inside the sampler. The main purpose of investigation was the assessment of biological effects of NAIs on fungal spore viability, deposition, mycelial growth, and sporulation, as well as airborne viral load. The precise assessment of mentioned biological effects is otherwise difficult to carry out due to low concentrations of studied specimens; therefore, specially devised and designed, ion-bioaerosol interaction air samplers were used for prolonged collection of specimens of interest. The total fungal spore concentrations were quantified, and fungal isolates were identified using cultural and microscopic methods, complemented by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Results indicated no significant difference in overall spore concentration between environments or treatments; however, presence of NAIs induced a delay in the sporulation process of Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger within 72 h. These effects of NAIs are for the first time demonstrated in this work; most likely, they are mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms. A parallel experiment demonstrated a substantially reduced concentration of aerosolized equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) DNA within 10–30 min of exposure to NAIs, with more than 98% genomic load reduction beyond natural decay. These new results on the NAIs interaction with a virus, as well as new findings regarding the fungal sporulation, resulted in part from a novel interaction setup designed for experiments with the bioaerosols. Our findings highlight the potential of NAIs as a possible approach for controlling fungal sporulation and reducing airborne viral particle quantities in indoor environments. Full article

The increasing emergence of antifungal resistance poses potential clinical challenges, particularly among immunocompromised patients with cancer at risk of invasive mold infections, but data on antifungal susceptibility trends specific to this population are few. We evaluated distributions of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), including minimal effective concentrations (MEC) for echinocandins, of 11 antifungal agents for 523 mold isolates (395 Aspergillus spp.) from cancer patients. Based on published Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, isavuconazole had notably high rates of non-wild-type MICs for A. fumigatus (19.6%), A. flavus/oryzae (34.8%), A. niger complex (26.1%), and A. terreus complex (8.33%). Persistent low baseline resistance of A. fumigatus to voriconazole was observed across multiple years (2.4–11.5% per year, average 8.41%) without significant trends in MIC change over time. Itraconazole and posaconazole demonstrated the lowest MIC distributions (MIC₅₀ ≤ 0.06–0.5 µg/mL) of the azoles against Aspergillus spp. Amongst the A. niger complex, 29.4% (27/92) demonstrated non-wild-type MICs to itraconazole. While the A. nidulans group was less frequent (n = 24), bimodal peaks in MIC/MEC were noted for caspofungin (≤0.06 and 1 µg/mL). Non-Aspergillus molds of significance (Zygomycetes, Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., and Lomentospora prolificans) demonstrated variable but increased MICs to antifungal agents as previously described. Our results highlight increased rates of non-wild type MICs for Aspergillus spp. to isavuconazole and voriconazole, which are commonly used antifungal agents in cancer patients. Such AST trends should be closely monitored in populations with frequent antifungal use and encourage increased antifungal stewardship efforts. Full article

The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) makes them a valuable tool in various industries. Recently, biosynthesis has become the preferred method for nanoparticle synthesis, and among organisms that can be used as AgNP producers, filamentous fungi have attracted the greatest interest. In particular, wood decay fungi are considered promising candidates for AgNP biosynthesis. Biogenic AgNPs have been proven to have strong antibacterial potential and antifungal activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal potential of AgNPs synthesized using the brown-rot decay fungus Gloeophyllum striatum DSM 9592 against four pathogenic fungal strains: Candida albicans, Malassezia furfur, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. Moreover, changes in the tested strains’ lipidome and cell membrane properties induced by the presence of AgNPs were investigated. The results revealed that the obtained AgNPs exerted fungistatic activity against all the strains tested. M. furfur, with a MIC value of 0.39 μg/mL obtained for all AgNP types, was found to be the most susceptible to the action of AgNPs. The lipidomic analysis revealed that the presence of AgNPs caused an increase in cell membrane fluidity in both A. flavus and C. albicans, and the mechanisms of response to AgNPs differed between the tested strains. Full article

Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, pose a significant global health concern due to their frequent presence in crops, food, and feed—especially under climate change conditions. This review addresses the growing threat of aflatoxins by analyzing recent advances in detection and mitigation. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on bioremediation, physical and chemical detoxification, and fungal growth inhibition strategies. The occurrence of aflatoxins in water systems was also examined, along with current detection techniques, removal processes, and regulatory frameworks. Emerging technologies such as molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, biosensors, and chromatographic methods are discussed for their potential to improve monitoring and control. Key findings highlight the increasing efficacy of integrative approaches combining biological and technological solutions and the potential of AI-based tools and portable devices for on-site detection. Intelligent packaging and transgenic crops are also explored for their role in minimizing contamination at the source. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of continued interdisciplinary research and the development of sustainable, adaptive strategies to mitigate aflatoxin risks, thereby supporting food safety and public health in the face of environmental challenges. Full article

Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced primarily by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, pose significant risks to food safety, public health, and global trade. These mycotoxins contaminate staple crops such as maize and peanuts, particularly in warm and humid regions, leading to economic losses and severe health effects, including hepatocellular carcinoma, immune suppression, and growth impairment. In addition to aflatoxins, Aspergillus species produce other toxic metabolites such as ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, and cyclopiazonic acid, which are associated with nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, and neurotoxic effects, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of aflatoxin toxicity, mitigation strategies, and chemical detection methods. The toxicity of aflatoxins is discussed in relation to their biochemical mechanisms, carcinogenicity, and synergistic effects with other mycotoxins. Various mitigation approaches, including pre-harvest biocontrol, post-harvest storage management, and novel detoxification methods such as enzymatic degradation and nanotechnology-based interventions, are evaluated. Furthermore, advances in aflatoxin detection, including chromatographic, immunoassay, and biosensor-based methods, are explored to improve regulatory compliance and food safety monitoring. This review underscores the need for integrated management strategies and global collaboration to reduce aflatoxin contamination and its associated health and economic burdens. Future research directions should focus on genetic engineering for resistant crop varieties, climate adaptation strategies, and improved risk assessment models. Full article

Heavy metal toxicity is an ecological concern in regions affected by processes like mining. This study underscores the potential of honey as a natural bioindicator for monitoring and assessing the levels of environmental contamination in mining-impacted areas. The study evaluated the physico-chemical characteristics, heavy metal content, and antimicrobial activity of honey samples collected from areas adjacent to former mining sites, as well as from protected areas within the same county in Romania. The results revealed significant differences between the two categories of locations. The samples from the protected areas showed higher levels of bioactive compounds (phenols and flavonoids) and exhibited stronger antibacterial activity. The heavy metal analysis indicated significantly higher concentrations of lead, cadmium, and iron in the honey samples from former mining areas compared to those from protected zones, suggesting pronounced industrial-origin contamination. The maximum recorded values were for Pb (0.607 mg/kg), Cd (0.02 mg/kg), Fe (12.131 mg/kg), Cu (0.545 mg/kg), and Zn (6.170 mg/kg). Their antimicrobial activity was tested against several bacterial and fungal strains, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata. The antibacterial and antifungal activity were more pronounced in the honey samples from the protected areas. These findings support the use of honey as a bioindicator of environmental quality and highlight the influence of its geographical origin on its therapeutic and chemical properties. Full article

Aspergillus flavus can produce aflatoxins, posing a threat of contamination to peanuts. To mitigate this issue, the use of biocontrol isolates, which do not produce aflatoxins (AF⁻), has been considered to reduce aflatoxin levels. In this study, we evaluated five different AF⁻ isolates belonging to different vegetative compatibility groups, all of which exhibited varying degrees of deletion in aflatoxin biosynthesis gene clusters. One isolate that exhibited poor competitive ability against toxigenic A. flavus was eliminated, and the remaining four isolates were formulated as biocontrol agents and applied to a peanut field in Tai’an, Shandong, as a combination. Three months after application, the soil aflatoxin content was reduced from 0.62 ± 0.01 to 0.19 ± 0.03 μg/kg (inhibition rate: 69.35%). Among filamentous fungi in the soil, the proportion of AF⁻ isolates increased from 0% to 4.33%. Using SSR-specific primers, the microbial agents were recovered. We discovered that among the four AF⁻ isolates, CA04 had a lower colonization rate compared to the other three (only 12.00% of the total AF⁻ population), suggesting that the absence of sclerotia may result in poor reversibility and weaker dispersal ability. We utilized Illumina sequencing to investigate the changes in soil fungal ecology. The results showed a reduction in the population density of harmful fungi, such as Fusarium spp. (66.18%) and Plectosphaerella spp. (79.90%), but an increase in the density of Nothopassalora personata. This is the first study on the dispersal distance and soil fungal community structure following the application of AF⁻ agents in peanut fields in China. Full article

The rising demand for vegan products calls for new plant-based antimicrobial preservation methods. This study evaluates an antifungal ingredient obtained by fermenting oat drink with lactic acid bacteria to extend vegan mortadella’s shelf life. In vitro tests showed antimicrobial effects against Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium commune, and Listeria monocytogenes (inhibition zones: 2–5 mm). The enrichment of the oat drink culture medium with additional nutrients enhanced fermentation performance and increased antifungal activity. The fermented culture medium with the highest antimicrobial activity was used to develop a bioactive ingredient for the preservation of vegan mortadella conservation. Adding 3% of this ingredient to vegan mortadella improved microbial stability, reducing mesophilic bacteria by 2.5 Log₁₀ CFU/g and increasing lactic acid bacteria. Lower pH and water activity changes were observed but remained within quality standards. Contamination assays showed a consistent reduction of A. flavus over 7 days, while P. commune and L. monocytogenes dropped below detection within 2 days. In contrast, control samples maintained contamination levels near 3.0 Log₁₀ CFU/g. These findings support the potential of fermented oat-based ingredients as effective, natural preservatives for vegan foods. Full article

Aflatoxin contamination poses a significant food safety risk, particularly during the storage of dried chili peppers. This study evaluated the efficacy of formic acid treatment, ultraviolet (UV) treatment, and combined UV-formic acid treatment in both preventing and controlling Aspergillus flavus in dried red chili powder. Efficacy was assessed by measuring the growth diameter of A. flavus colonies on un-colonized and already colonized dried red chili powder. The optimal treatment conditions for the UV-formic acid combination were determined through single-factor experiments, orthogonal experiments, and quality assessment. Finally, the effects of the UV-formic acid combination on the cell membrane, antioxidant system, and energy metabolism of A. flavus were investigated. The results revealed that fumigation of un-colonized dried red chili powder with 5% formic acid for 24 h inhibited A. flavus growth by 93.29% and toxin synthesis by 99.41%. In contrast, treatment of already colonized chili powder with 10% formic acid inhibited A. flavus colony growth by 50%. Through a three-factor, three-level orthogonal experiment followed by quality testing, the optimal conditions were determined to be 8% formic acid concentration, a UV irradiation distance of 15 cm, and a treatment time of 75 min. This optimized combined treatment reduced the required fumigation time from 24 h to 1.25 h. This technique achieved complete suppression of aflatoxin B₁ synthesis on un-colonized dried red chili powder. On already colonized chili powder, the mycelial growth inhibition rate was 48.05 ± 6.68%, and aflatoxin B₁ synthesis was inhibited by 91.32 ± 3.15%. Quality assessment revealed that the UV-formic acid co-treatment parameters did not significantly affect key quality indicators including color, capsaicin content, total phenolic content (p > 0.05). Furthermore, UV-formic acid treatment disrupt the cell membrane structure of A. flavus, impairs its antioxidant and energy metabolism systems, and induces mitochondrial dysfunction. The study confirmed the synergistic antifungal effect of formic acid and UV, providing a potential industrialized solution for enhancing the safety and storage stability of dried chili products. Full article

This study explores the application of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning for the non-destructive detection of aflatoxin in peanuts contaminated by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus). The key innovation lies in the development of an optimized spectral processing pipeline that effectively overcomes moisture interference while maintaining high sensitivity to low aflatoxin concentrations. NIR spectra were collected from peanut samples at different incubation times within the spectral range of 950 to 1650 nm. Spectral data were preprocessed, and Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS) selected ten characteristic bands. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between physicochemical properties, characteristic bands, and aflatoxin content. Three machine learning models—Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF)—were used to predict aflatoxin levels. The SNV-SVM model demonstrated superior performance, achieving calibration metrics (R²_C = 0.9945, RMSE_C = 9.92, RPD_C = 14.59) and prediction metrics (R²_P = 0.9528, RMSE_P = 19.58, RPD_P = 7.01), along with leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) results (R² = 0.9834, RMSE = 11.20). The results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy combined with machine learning offers a rapid, non-destructive approach for aflatoxin detection in peanuts, with significant implications for food safety and agricultural quality control. Full article