title: Polyphasic approach to the identification of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Brazil nuts.
abstract: The aim of this study was to use a polyphasic approach to identify Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Brazil nuts collected in the Amazon forest: investigation of macro- and microscopic morphology, production of extrolites, heat-resistance fungi, and sequencing of DNA regions. The following Aspergillus section Flavi species were identified: Aspergillus flavus (75.5%), Aspergillus nomius (22.3%), and Aspergillus parasiticus (2.2%). All A. nomius and A. parasiticus isolates produced aflatoxins B and G, but not cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). A. flavus isolates were more diversified and a high frequency of mycotoxigenic strains was observed. The polyphasic approach permitted the reliable identification of section Flavi species. The rate of mycotoxigenic strains was high (92.7%) and mainly included A. flavus strains producing elevated levels of aflatoxins and CPA. These results highlight the possibility of co-occurrence of both toxins, increasing their potential toxic effect in this commodity.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, CEP 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil. arianne.baquiao@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Arianne Costa
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Baquião
authors.forename: Maitê Martins Melo
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Tatiana Alves
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zorzete
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diniz Atayde
authors.forename: Benedito
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Correa
mesh_terms: D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D031383:Bertholletia / Q000382:microbiology*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D009183:Mycotoxins