Controlling aflatoxin contamination and propagation of Aspergillus flavus by a soy-fermenting Aspergillus oryzae strain. Issue 1 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alshannaq, Ahmad; Gibbons, John; Lee, Mi-Kyung; Han, Kap-Hoon; Hong, Seung-Beom; Yu, Jae-Hyuk
• Is Part Of: Scientific reports. Volume 8:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Natural history -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 502.85
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35246-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2322

Abstract

Abstract Aflatoxins (AFs) are a group of carcinogenic and immunosuppressive mycotoxins that threaten global food safety. Globally, over 4.5 billion people are exposed to unmonitored levels of AFs.Aspergillus flavus is the major source of AF contamination in agricultural crops. One approach to reduce levels of AFs in agricultural commodities is to apply a non-aflatoxigenic competitor, e.g., Afla-Guard, to crop fields. In this study, we demonstrate that the food fermentingAspergillus oryzae M2040 strain, isolated from Korean Meju (a brick of dry-fermented soybeans), can inhibit aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production and proliferation of toxigenicA .flavus in lab culture conditions and peanuts. In peanuts, 1% inoculation level ofA .oryzae M2040 could effectively displace the toxigenicA .flavus and inhibit AFB1 production. Moreover, cell-free culture filtrate ofA .oryzae M2040 effectively inhibited AFB1 production andA .flavus growth, suggestingA .oryzae M2040 secretes inhibitory compounds. Whole genome-based comparative analyses indicate that theA .oryzae M2040 and Afla-Guard genomes are 37.9 and 36.4 Mbp, respectively, with each genome containing ~100 lineage specific genes. Our study establishes the idea of usingA .oryzae and/or its cell-free culture fermentate as a potent biocontrol agent to controlA .flavus propagation and AF contamination.