Relationship between aflO and aflQ gene expression with aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus species isolated from animal feed

Aflatoxins are produced as toxic secondary metabolites by some  Aspergillus species. Since these fungal species can contaminate food and animal feed, microbial contamination monitoring and control is important. In the current study, the correlation between expression of two aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway genes aflO and aflQ and was investigated.

Sixty-seven different isolates of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species selected and the presence. expression of aflO and aflQ gene sequences were assayed by PCR and quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR methods, respectively. In addition, the amount of aflatoxin B1 by high-performance reverse chromatography (RP-HPLC) using a fluorescent detector.

Forthy one, out of 67 isolated species had both aflO and aflQ genes. Seventeen samples out of 26 (65%) had aflatoxin B1 levels higher than 5 ng/g and 6 samples (23%) produced high levels of this toxin (more than 100 ng / g) as well.

Considering the relative correlation between the expression of selected aflatoxin genes and AFB1 produced in feedstuffs, it seems that the investigation of other aflatoxin-producing genes can lead to a better correlation and complete the results of this study.