Evaluation of a Real time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of aflatoxin / sterigmatocystin producing strains of Aspergillus spp.

摘要

Aflatoxin and sterigmatocystin produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. versicolor are common mycotoxins found in food and feed stuffs. Sterigmatocystin is a direct precursor in aflatoxin biosynthesis. In the present study, Real time PCR using TaqMan probe chemistry was standardized for amplification of the aflatoxin/sterigmatocystin biosynthesis gene omt-1 of Aspergillus spp. The gene was amplified in six cultures of Aspergillus spp. isolated from 53 aflatoxin positive feed samples hence indicating their aflatoxigenic potential. Data clearly revealed that the real time PCR technique is efficient in distinguishing toxigenic strains of A. parasiticus, A. versicolor and A. flavus from other molds commonly inhabiting the feed.