title: Conidia survival of Aspergillus section Nigri, Flavi and Circumdati under UV-A and UV-B radiation with cycling temperature/light regime.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bio-geographical differences in fungal infection distribution have been observed around the world, confirming that climatic conditions are decisive in colonization. This research is focused on the impact of ultraviolet radiation (UV) on Aspergillus species, based on the consideration that an increase in UV-B radiation may have large ecological effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Conidia of six mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species isolated from vineyards located in the northeast and south of Spain were incubated for 15 days under light/dark cycles and temperatures between 20 and 30 °C per day. Additionally, 6 h of exposure to UV-A or UV-B radiation per day were included in the light exposure. UV irradiance used were 1.7 ± 0.2 mW cm(-2) of UV-A (peak 365 nm) and 0.10 ± 0.2 mW cm(-2) of UV-B (peak 312 nm). The intrinsic decrease in viability of conidia over time was accentuated when they were UV irradiated. UV-B radiation was more harmful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conidial sensitivity to UV light was marked in Aspergillus section Circumdati. Conidia pigmentation could be related to UV sensitivity. Different resistance was observed within species belonging to sections Flavi and Nigri. An increase in UV radiation could lead to a reduction in the Aspergillus spp. inoculum present in the field (vineyards, nuts, cereal crops). In addition, it could unbalance the spore species present in the field, leading to a higher predominance of dark-pigmented conidia.
authors.affiliation: Applied Mycology Unit, Food Technology Department, University of Lleida, UTPV-XaRTA, Agrotecnio Centre, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Esther
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: García-Cela
authors.affiliation: Applied Mycology Unit, Food Technology Department, University of Lleida, UTPV-XaRTA, Agrotecnio Centre, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.affiliation: Applied Mycology Unit, Food Technology Department, University of Lleida, UTPV-XaRTA, Agrotecnio Centre, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.affiliation: Applied Mycology Unit, Food Technology Department, University of Lleida, UTPV-XaRTA, Agrotecnio Centre, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Vicent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sanchis
authors.affiliation: Applied Mycology Unit, Food Technology Department, University of Lleida, UTPV-XaRTA, Agrotecnio Centre, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D001230:Aspergillus / Q000145:classification* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
keywords: A. carbonarius; A. flavus; A. ochraceus; A. parasiticus; A. tubingensis; A. westerdijkiae; climate change; fungi; mycotoxins; pigments