Isolation & Identification of toxigenic Aspergillus flavus, isolated from Rafsanjans, Pistachio by molecular study of nor-1 gene expression effective in the Aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway
Subject Areas : microbiology
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Keywords: Pistachio, nor-1gene, Aspergillus flavus, Aflatoxin,
Abstract :
Aflatoxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic secondary fungal metabolites and have been detected in various food commodities including pistachio nuts. Since Iran is one of the largest producers of pistachios in the world, the aim of this study is investigation of the expression of nor-1 gene, one of the most essential genes for producing of Aflatoxin, by molecular method in Aspergillus flavus isolated from Rafsanjan’s Pistachio. Randomly, 1000 Pistachios, were collected from 10 dried fruits wholesales in Rafsanjan city. The species of A. flavus were identified morphologically (Macroscopy & Microscopy). In the next step RNA of the A. flavus was extracted. RT-PCR technique was used for amplifying of nor-1 gene. Consequently, 41 Aspergillus flavus species were isolated from pistachioes. Overall, 9 samples (21.4%) were positive for nor-1 gene expression. Aflatoxin contamination in different kinds of foods have been reported in different part of the world. It is a threat for public health, so using surveillance methods, with molecular techniques is necessary to reduction of food contamination specially nuts with toxigenic fungi.
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