Prospecting the genetic diversity of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated in Brazil

Abstract

The Contamination of agricultural products with mycotoxins has been a worldwide problem.In Brazil, the predominantly tropical climate favors the planting and production of the mostvaried crops, but these same conditions, high humidity, and temperature, also favor thedevelopment of fungi and contamination by mycotoxins. Among the fungi that producemycotoxins, those belonging to the genus Aspergillus, especially to the A. section Flavi, are themain aflatoxin producing species and are considered of great relevance. Studies conducted byour research group have sought to evaluate the levels of contamination of various productsdestined for human consumption with aflatoxins, as well as their relationship with differentspecies of the group A. section Flavi. To know the diversity of fungal species responsible forthe contamination of Brazilian agribusiness products with aflatoxins is essential to assist in thedefinition of control strategies. The taxonomy of this section is complex, has undergoneconstant changes, and still lacks genetic studies that help in the correct classification andidentification of the species. The objective of this project is to investigate the genetic diversityof A. section Flavi, belonging to the collection of the Institute of Food Technology (ITAL),Campinas / SP (obtained from peanuts, rice, cocoa, sugarcane, spices, cassava and Brazil nuts)and the collection of the State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina / PR (obtained fromyerba mate and corn), in addition, it is expected to clarify the phylogenetic relationshipsconcerning against the current taxonomic status of A. section Flavi through the analysis ofmultiple loci (²-tubulin, calmodulin, and RNA polymerase II), and possibly describe newspecies belonging to this section. (AU)