Identification of aflR Gene in Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus Isolated from Pistachio Kernel of Sirjan Region Using Molecular Method

Abstract

Background and Aims: Aflatoxins are a large group of mycotoxins and secondary metabolites of Aspergillus fungal species. aflR The interfering genes group in the transcription and production of aflatoxin plays an important role in Aspergillus fungi. In this study, the molecular identity of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. in fresh pistachios in Sirjan city was investigated. Materials and Methods: In This study 100 samples of fungal infected pistachio were purposefully collected from pistachio warehouses in Sirjan city. Samples were transferred to the sabouraud dextrose broth medium. The positive control used in this study were generator genes of aflatoxin in Aspergillus strains and negative control were non Aspergillus fungal strains and non aflatoxic Aspergillus. DNA extraction were performed by kit and PCR method was used for identification of AflR gene in samples of fungal infected pistachio warehouses for confirmation of the presence of the generator genes of aflatoxin. Results: Molecular results showed that among 100 samples of fresh pistachio nuts that were purposefully selected, there were 10 healthy samples, and in 64 Aspergillus fungi ones, 18 samples contained pencillium, 1 sample mucor, 5 sample Saprophytic and 2 samples contained unknown fungal infection. Among Aspergillus, only in 7 cases were regulatory gene of aflatoxin. Conclusions: By studying this subject, factors affecting on ways to reduce aflatoxin can be found. Since most countries are sensitive on the issue of aflatoxin in terms of health, this research can play an important role in the ways of increasing exports to countries.

Keywords

• Aspergillus
• Aflatoxin
• Polymerase Chain Reaction