The Black Aspergillus Species of Maize and Peanuts and Their Potential for Mycotoxin Production

Abstract

The black spored fungi of the subgenera Circumdata, the section Nigri (=Aspergillus niger group) is reviewed relative to their production of mycotoxins and their effects on plants as pathogens. Molecular methods have revealed more than 18 cryptic species, of which several have been characterized as potential mycotoxin producers. Others are defined as benign relative to their ability to produce mycotoxins. However, these characterizations are based on in vitro culture and toxins production. Several can produce the ochratoxins that are toxic to livestock, poultry, and humans. The black aspergilli produce rots of grapes, maize, and numerous other fruits and grain and they are generally viewed as post-harvest pathogens. Data are review to suggest that black aspergilli, as so many others, are symptomless endophytes. These fungi and their mycotoxins contaminate several major grains, foodstuffs, and products made from them such as wine, and coffee. Evidence is presented that the black aspergilli are producers of other classes of mycotoxins such as the fumonisins, which are known carcinogenic and known prior investigations as being produced by the Fusarium species. Three species are identified in U.S. maize and peanuts as symptomless endophytes, which suggests the potential for concern as pathogens and as food safety hazards.

Contribution à l’identification des champignons de post-récolte associés aux amandes de <i>Ricinodendron heudelotii</i> et <i>Garcinia kola</i> collectées dans les Hauts Plateaux de l’Ouest Cameroun

“…de capables de produire des mycotoxines qui sont des métabolites secondaires causant diverses maladies chez l'homme et les animaux telles que les aflatoxicoses, les cancers, la dépression du système immunitaire (Oswald et al, 2005;Tanaka et al, 2007 ;Palencia et al, 2010 ;Antonissen et al, 2014 ;Dieme et al, 2016 …”

Black Aspergilli and fumonisin contamination in onions purchased in Hungary

“…dried vine fruits, figs), the relatively dry outer layers of onion bulbs seem to be also able to promote fumonisin production in these fungi. Further studies are needed to clarify whether A. niger contaminates onions during storage or in the field as recently it has been proposed that A. niger has an endophytic life style in onions Lorbeer et al 2002;Palencia et al 2010). Besides, further work is also in progress to examine the possible role of black Aspergilli in ochratoxin contamination of onions.…”

Whole-genome sequencing of Aspergillus tubingensis G131 and overview of its secondary metabolism potential

“…A. carbonarius is known to consistently produce large amounts of OTA whereas only 6-10% of the A. niger produce it [1]. Black Aspergilli can also produce fumonisin B2 and fumonisin B4 [22,42]. Based on the current knowledge about the biosynthesis of these mycotoxins, BLAST analyses were performed to check the mycotoxins production potentiality in A. tubingensis G131 strain, a methodology that was already described for different genomic works on Aspergillus sp.…”

“…Genomics features of putative fumonisin biosynthesis in A. tubingensis G131 In contrast with OTA production, both A. niger CBS 513.88 and ATCC 1015 genomes include putative homologues of Fusarium verticillioides fumonisin genes and their production of Fumonisin B2 has been confirmed [1,22,42]. The fumonisin gene cluster of A. niger contains at least 14 fum genes [43].…”