First record of Aspergillus hongkongensis C.C. Tsang et al. (Eurotiales, Ascomycota) in South America and the third report worldwide

Abstract

The genus Aspergillus P. Micheli is among the most abundant fungi worldwide. Numerous species belonging to this genus have been reported to contaminate food and cause infections. We isolated Aspergillus hongkongensis C.C. Tsang et al. from eggplant flour sold in Recife, Brazil. The isolate was identified using morphological and molecular analyses (beta-tubulin and calmodulin genes). This is the first record of A. hongkongensis in South America and the third report worldwide. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the phenotypic variations in this species, as well as the geographic distribution of Aspergillus species.

Keywords

• Eggplant flour
• food contaminants
• <i>Nidulantes</