Fungi Associated with Aflatoxin Contamination in Africa

摘要: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by members of the fungal genus Aspergillus. Immunosuppressive and carcinogenic activities these toxins negatively impact human health especially in developing countries. Severity contamination is influenced both community structure environment to which crop exposed either prior or after harvest. In 2004, a severe episode lethal aflatoxicosis occurred Eastern Province Kenya. Analysis revealed that this event was caused previously unknown lineage closely resembling S strain morphotype Aspergillus flavus. Fungal communities associated with maize affected regions Kenya were invariably dominated new its incidence strongly correlated aflatoxin content. Analyses grown adjacent Kenyan provinces showed incidences limited outside where aflatoxicoses outbreaks occurred. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses suggest newly identified related B G producing species A. minisclerotigenes, more distantly flavus an unnamed taxon similar morphology endemic West Africa (strain SBG). Sequence cypA biosynthesis gene 2.2 kb deletion unique coherent placement. A polyphasic approach used study aflatoxin-producing