• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1903-1912
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• 2018

Objective: To evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria and storage temperature on the microbial, chemical and mycotoxin composition of corn silage. Methods: Corn was harvested at 32.8% dry matter, and chopped to 1 to 2 cm. The chopped material was subjected to three treatments: i) control (distilled water); ii) $1{\times}10^6$ colony forming units (cfu)/g of Lactobacillus plantarum; iii) $1{\times}10^6cfu/g$ of Pediococcus pentosaceus. Treatments in triplicate were ensiled for 55 d at $20^{\circ}C$, $28^{\circ}C$, and $37^{\circ}C$ in 1-L polythene jars following packing to a density of approximately $800kg/m^3$ of fresh matter, respectively. At silo opening, microbial populations, fermentation characteristics, nutritive value and mycotoxins of corn silage were determined. Results: L. plantarum significantly increased yeast number, water soluble carbohydrates, nitrate and deoxynivalenol content, and significantly decreased the ammonia N value in corn silage compared with the control (p<0.05). P. pentosaceus significantly increased lactic acid bacteria and yeast number and content of deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone, while decreasing mold population and content of nitrate and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalneol in corn silage when stored at $20^{\circ}C$ compared to the control (p<0.05). Storage temperature had a significant effect on deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone level in corn silage (p<0.05). Conclusion: Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus did not decrease the contents of mycotoxins or nitrate in corn silage stored at three temperatures.

• Mycobiology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.215-217
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• 2009

Sixty four samples of cocoa beans replicated in quadruplicates were collected from five warehouses from southwest Nigeria and examined for fungal loads, ergosterol and eohratoxin A The levels of all the variables obtained were further used as indices for cocoa grading into food quality, FoQ (erg < 5 mg/kg; OTA < $1{\mu}g$/kg), feed quality, FeQ (erg = $5{\sim}10\;mg$/kg; OTA in the range of $1.1{\sim}3.11{\mu}g$/kg), Screen for mycotoxin, SFM (erg = $10{\sim}20\;mg$/kg; OTA from $3.12{\mu}g$/kg and above) with fuel quality, FuQ having erg > 20 mg/kg and OTA > $6.12{\mu}g$/kg. Using these ergosterol indices, 18.75% of the cocoa beans examined was classified with the FoQ, 18.75% with the FuQ while 31.25% was classified with both the FeQ and the SFM, respectively. In conclusion, ergosterol can be used as a rapid index to grade fermented, dried cocoa beans meant for export.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.145-154
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• 2006

Heterotrimeric G proteins (G proteins) are conserved in all eukaryotes and are crucial components sensing and relaying external cues into the cells to elicit appropriate physiological and biochemical responses. Basic units of the heterotrimeric G protein signaling system include a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), a G protein composed of ${\alpha},\;{\beta},\;and\;{\gamma}$ subunits, and variety of effectors. Sequential sensitization and activation of these G protein elements translates external signals into gene expression changes, resulting in appropriate cellular behaviors. Regulators of G protein signaling (RGSs) constitute a crucial element of appropriate control of the intensity and duration of G protein signaling. For the past decade, G protein signaling and its regulation have been intensively studied in a number of model and/or pathogenic fungi and outcomes of the studies provided better understanding on the upstream regulation of vegetative growth, mating, development, virulence/pathogenicity establishment, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in fungi. This review focuses on the characteristics of the basic upstream G protein components and RGS proteins, and their roles controlling various aspects of biological processes in the model filamentous ascomycete fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In particular, their functions in controlling hyphal proliferation, asexual spore formation, sexual fruiting, and the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin production are discussed.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.640-653
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• 2022

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most common mycotoxin contaminant of cereal-based food and animal feed. The toxicity of DON is very low compared to that of other toxins; however, the most prominent signs of DON exposure include inappetence and body weight loss, which causes considerable economic losses in the livestock industry. This review summarizes critical studies on biological DON mycotoxin mitigation strategies and the respective in vitro and in vivo intestinal effects. Focus areas include growth performance, gut health in terms of intestinal histomorphology, epithelial barrier functions, the intestinal immune system and microflora, and short-chain fatty acid production in the intestines. In addition, DON detoxification and modulation of these parameters, through biological supplements, are discussed. Biological detoxification of DON using microorganisms can attenuate DON toxicity by modulating gut microbiota and improving gut health with or without influencing the growth performance of pigs. However, the use of microorganisms as feed additives to livestock for mycotoxins detoxification needs more research before commercial use.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.276-280
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• 2001

Fusarium isolates of Gibberella fujikuroi species complex were obtained from sorghum grown in five provinces of Korea in 1996 and 1997. These isolates were characterized based on their mating behavior, mycotoxin production, and vegetative compatibility. Only three mating populations (A, D, and F) were recovered from a total of 155 isolates examined. The relative frequency of the mating populations was significantly different: F was predominant (80%), while D and A were observed at low frequencies of 9% and 3%, respectively. Female fertile isolates were more common within F (44 our of 124) than D (2 out of 14), while none of the five A isolates were female fertile. The inbreeding effective population sizes ($\textrm{N}_e$)for mating type and male/hermaphrodite ratios in mating populations A and D produced significant amounts of fumonisins, while F isolates produced none or only traces of fumonisin B$_1$. In contrast. F isolates produced higher amounts of moniliformin (average of 3,820 ppm) than A and D isolates (averages of 77 and 1,819 ppm, respectively). Fifty-one isolates were tested for vegetative compatibility using nitrogen non-utilization mutants of each isolate, and 44 vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) were identified. A single VC type (VC1) was found in all of the five A isolates examined. Six of the D isolates examined consisted of three VC types: two for VC2, two for VC3, and the rest for VC4. All of the F isolates tested were incompatible in every combination and , thus, each constituted a unique VCG.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.326-329
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• 2015

Fusaric acid is a mycotoxin produced by species of the fungus Fusarium and can act synergistically with other Fusarium toxins. In order to develop a specific detection method for fusaric acid-producing fungus, PCR primers were designed to amplify FUB10, a transcription factor gene in fusaric acid biosynthetic gene cluster. When PCR with Fub10-f and Fub10-r was performed, a single band (~550 bp) was amplified from F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, F. anthophilum, F. bulbicola, F. circinatum, F. fujikuroi, F. redolens, F. sacchari, F. subglutinans, and F. thapsinum, all of which were known for fusaric acid production. Whereas the FUB10 specific band was not amplified from Fusarium species known to be trichothecene producer. Because production of fusaric acid can co-occur in species that also produce fumonisin mycotoxins, we developed a multiplex PCR assay using the FUB10 primers as well as primers for the fumonisin biosynthetic gene FUM1. The assay yielded amplicons from fumonisin producers such as F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides, allowing for the simultaneous detection of species with the genetic potential to produce both types of mycotoxins.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.407-417
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• 2021

In order to investigate frequency of fungal contamination in ginseng sprout, we collected 18 types of retail ginseng sprouts and analyzed them. Overall frequency of fungal contamination ranged from 113.3 to 174.1% with the highest occurrence of Penicillium spp. Fungal detection rate was significantly higher in moss than in stem, leaf and root of ginseng sprout. Penicillium spp. occurred in leaf and stem with the highest incidence and Fusarium spp., in root. Among Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp., P. olsonii and F. oxysporum were dominant, respectively. Nine Fusarium species, Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Aspergillus flavus, and 11 Penicillium species were identified by phylogenetic analysis. PCR screening of mycotoxigenic potential revealed that 19 out of 25 isolates tested were positive for respective mycotoxin biosynthetic gene. Two 2 A. flavus and 11 A. westerdijkiae isolates produced varying amount of aflatoxin or ochratoxin A in czapek yeast extract brothsome of which showed high levels of mycotoxin production. These results suggests a need for continuous monitoring and management program to control fungal contamination in the ginseng sprout production chain.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.93-106
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• 2015

Alternaria species are common saprophytes or pathogens of a wide range of plants pre- and post-harvest. This review considers the relative importance of Alternaria species, their ecology, competitiveness, production of mycotoxins and the prevalence of the predominant mycotoxins in different food products. The available toxicity data on these toxins and the potential future impacts of Alternaria species and their toxicity in food products pre- and post-harvest are discussed. The growth of Alternaria species is influenced by interacting abiotic factors, especially water activity ($a_w$), temperature and pH. The boundary conditions which allow growth and toxin production have been identified in relation to different matrices including cereal grain, sorghum, cottonseed, tomato, and soya beans. The competitiveness of Alternaria species is related to their water stress tolerance, hydrolytic enzyme production and ability to produce mycotoxins. The relationship between A. tenuissima and other phyllosphere fungi has been examined and the relative competitiveness determined using both an Index of Dominance ($I_D$) and the Niche Overlap Index (NOI) based on carbon-utilisation patterns. The toxicology of some of the Alternaria mycotoxins have been studied; however, some data are still lacking. The isolation of Alternaria toxins in different food products including processed products is reviewed. The future implications of Alternaria colonization/infection and the role of their mycotoxins in food production chains pre- and post-harvest are discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.190-194
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• 2007

Aflatoxin $B_1$ is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus and is a human carcinogen. This study was performed to investigate reduction of growth and aflatoxin production of A. parasiticus by kimchi. A. parasiticus was grown in a modified APT broth with the juice of kimchi (at a concentration of 7%) at $28^{\circ}C$ for 9 days. Aflatoxin $B_1$ was determined by use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The addition of the juice of kimchi significantly reduced mycelial growth and aflatoxin production during the incubation period (p<0.05). Reduction of mycelial growth of A. parasiticus as the result of addition of the juice of kimchi was observed to range between 64.8 to 83.4% while reduction of aflatoxin production ranged from 62.2 to 73.0%. This study indicates that kimchi could be an effective inhibitor of aflatoxin production although mycelial growth may be permitted. More research is needed to study the inhibitory effects of the metabolites of kimchi.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.129-130
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• 2002

Monascus pigment was produced by Monascus species. During Monascus fermentation, citrinin, the mycotoxin was produced with pigments. Citrinin can become a problem for use of monascus pigment as a food colorant. We found adding of S. cerevisiae filtrate during Monascus cultivation could enhance production of red pigment whereas it could reduce citrinin level. When we added the filtrate at 24 hand 48 h, respectively, pigment production increased about 400% and citrinin concentration decreased to 30%. In a glucose medium, there was no special effect by addition of filtrate. On the other hand, the effect was striking in a sucrose medium.