Evaluation of microbial toxins,trace elements and sensory properties of a high-theabrownins instant Pu-erh tea produced using Aspergillus tubingensis via submerged fermentation

Theabrownins (TB) are polymeric phenolic compounds associated with the multiple bioactivities of Pu-erh tea, a post-fermented Chinese dark tea. High-TB instant Pu-erh tea was produced via a novel submerged fermentation (SF) using Aspergillus tubingensis and compared with samples produced commercially via the conventional solid-state fermentation (SSF). Viable microorganisms and microbial toxins, especially aflatoxins B₁, G₁, B₂, G₂, cyclopiazonic acid, fumonisins B₁, B₂, B₃ and ochratoxin A, were below the detection limit in all samples. Fewer microbial metabolites were found in SF instant tea compared with the SSF teas. Based on an adult consuming 1 g of instant Pu-erh tea daily, the dietary intake of investigated elements was below the safe limits recommended by various authorities. Tasters viewed the instant tea infusions as very mild, smooth, mellow and full. This suggested that submerged fermentation using A. tubingensis offers a speedy and safe alternative to commercial production of instant Pu-erh tea.     

Potential use of phenolic antioxidants on peanut to control growth and aflatoxin B1 accumulation by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus

Food‐grade antioxidants: butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl paraben (PP) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (10 and 20 mmol g^?1) and all the mixtures of these chemicals were tested for inhibitory activity on the growth of and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) accumulation by Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus on irradiated (7 kGy) peanut grains. Also, the influence of these treatments was evaluated in different water conditions (0.982, 0.955, 0.937a_w) at 11 and 35 days of incubation at 28 °C. Water activity (a_w) affected the fungal growth, no fungal development was observed at the highest stress water condition (0.937a_w). Butylated hydroxyanisole at 10 mmol g^?1 level and all the mixtures with PP and/or BHT were significantly effective (P = 0.05) in increasing lag phase and reducing growth rate and colony forming units per gram of peanut of both Aspergillus section Flavi strains and AFB₁ accumulation. The application of BHA at concentrations of 20 mmol g^?1 alone or with PP and/or BHT totally inhibited fungal growth at 11 and 35 days of incubation. The results suggest that the addition of these chemical mixtures on peanut grains at low levels has potential to impact synergically on the control of Aspergillus section Flavi. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biotransformation of three aromadendrane‐type sesquiterpenoids by Aspergillus wentii

BACKGROUND: The biotransformation of sesquiterpenoids, which are a large class of naturally occurring compounds, using microorganisms as a biocatalyst to produce useful novel organic compounds was investigated. The biotransformation of sesquiterpenoids, (+)‐aromadendrene ( 1 ), (−)‐alloaromadendrene ( 2 ) and (+)‐ledene ( 3 ) has been investigated using Aspergillus wentii as a biocatalyst. Results: Compound 1 was converted to (−)‐(10S,11S)‐10,13,14‐trihydroxyaromadendrane ( 4 ). Compound 2 was converted to (+)‐(1S,11S)‐1,13‐dihydroxyaromadendrene ( 5 ) and (−)‐5,11‐epoxycadin‐1(10)‐en‐14‐ol ( 6 ). Compound 3 was converted to compound 6 , (+)‐(10R,11S)‐10,13‐dihydroxyaromadendr‐1‐ene ( 7 ) and (+)‐(10S,11S)‐10,13‐dihydroxyaromadendr‐1‐ene ( 8 ). The structure of the metabolic products has been elucidated on the basis of their spectral data. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 gave only one product that was hydroxylated at C‐10, C‐13 and C‐14. By contrast, compounds 2 and 3 gave a number of products, one of which was common. The differences in oxidation of 1–3 are due to the configuration of the C‐1 position. Compounds 4–8 were new compounds. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

The influence of the ion content of whey on the pH-activity profile of the β-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae

The pH-dependence of the reaction kinetics of lactase (β-galactosidase) from Aspergillus oryzae in different reaction media is presented in terms of a two-parameter model. The lactase from A. oryzae seems to have replaced the A. niger lactase on the market owing to a better activity/price ratio and may be utilised for lactose hydrolysis in acid as well as in neutral milk products. Its pH optimum is around pH 4.5. However, in the neutral pH-range its activity depended strongly on the salt content of the substrate solution. For example, its activity in whey (pH 6.5) fell to only 30% of its expected activity in a pure lactose solution at the same pH. The whey effect was the same for both soluble and immobilised lactase. The two parameter kinetic model, which included a term for competitive product inhibition gave excellent agreement with experimental data, and may thus be useful for the prediction of reactor performance with this enzyme.     

Breaking of structural dormancy in seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera by Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus niger (strain UUF9202) significantly reduced the dormancy period and boosted aggregate germination percentage (AGP) in seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera. A net reduction in mean germination time (MGT) to 12 days and an increase from 0 to 42% AGP were obtained in 32 days. The optimal spore inoculum of the fungus was 8.5 × 10≥10 ml^?1 per 100 seeds in 96 h pregermination incubation. The potential of some physical factors in combination with this fungal concentration in enhancing AGP was evaluated. The treatments were as follows: (i) hot water scarification at 30°C, 50°C, 80°C and 100°C plus A niger; and (ii) nicking by decoating at either the micropylar or chalazal ends plus A niger. Micropylar scarification plus A niger gave the highest AGP (94%) followed by chalazal scarification plus A niger (86%) and hot water dip at 80°C + A niger (82%). The control seeds which were soaked in presterilised (by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 min) A niger spore suspension at 30°C gave zero germination.     

Ecophysiology of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum isolates. Predictive models for fungal spoilage prevention - a review

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium; among them Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum are two ochratoxigenic species capable of growing in different climates and thus contamination of food crops with OTA can occur worldwide. OTA can be found in a wide range of foods such as cereals, coffee, cocoa, spices, beer, wine, dried vine fruit, grapes and meat products. OTA is toxic to animals, it presents neurotoxic, immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. It has been implicated in a human kidney disorder known as Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. This review focuses on the ecophysiology of ochratoxin-producing Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum, the effect of environmental factors on their germination, mycelial growth, and OTA production. Knowledge of environmental conditions required for sucessive stages of fungal development represent the first step towards preventing mycotoxin formation. Predictive models for different stages of fungal development are presented, which allow prediction of the time before spoilage as a function of the abiotic factors. Finally, the implications of these studies in management of barley, coffee and grapes are described. This can help to identify the critical control points in their production, storage and distribution processes.     

8种药剂对黄蓟马的室内生物活性及田间防效

[目的]筛选防治黄蓟马的有效药剂及用量。[方法]选择8种杀虫剂,采用浸叶法对黄蓟马成虫进行室内生物活性测定,并结合防效试验进行效果验证。[结果]室内生物活性测定结果表明:25%噻虫嗪WG、10%吡虫啉WP、50%噻嗪酮SC和1.80%阿维菌素EC对黄蓟马有较高的活性。田间药效结果表明:10%吡虫啉WP 4.14 g a.i./hm2在施药3 d后防效最好,达到92%;1.80%阿维菌素EC 1.20 g a.i./hm2和25%噻虫嗪WG 5.13 g a.i./hm2在施药7 d后防效最好。[结论]25%噻虫嗪WG和1.80%阿维菌素EC可推荐为防治黄蓟马的首选药剂,2者属于不同类型的杀虫剂,适合交替使用,防止黄蓟马快速产生抗药性。     

The AFLATOX® Project: Approaching the Development of New Generation,Natural-Based Compounds for the Containment of the Mycotoxigenic Phytopathogen Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Contamination

The control of the fungal contamination on crops is considered a priority by the sanitary authorities of an increasing number of countries, and this is also due to the fact that the geographic areas interested in mycotoxin outbreaks are widening. Among the different pre- and post-harvest strategies that may be applied to prevent fungal and/or aflatoxin contamination, fungicides still play a prominent role; however, despite of countless efforts, to date the problem of food and feed contamination remains unsolved, since the essential factors that affect aflatoxins production are various and hardly to handle as a whole. In this scenario, the exploitation of bioactive natural sources to obtain new agents presenting novel mechanisms of action may represent a successful strategy to minimize, at the same time, aflatoxin contamination and the use of toxic pesticides. The Aflatox^® Project was aimed at the development of new-generation inhibitors of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. proliferation and toxin production, through the modification of naturally occurring molecules: a panel of 177 compounds, belonging to the thiosemicarbazones class, have been synthesized and screened for their antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic potential. The most effective compounds, selected as the best candidates as aflatoxin containment agents, were also evaluated in terms of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and epi-genotoxicity to exclude potential harmful effect on the human health, the plants on which fungi grow and the whole ecosystem.     

黑曲霉β-葡萄糖苷酶的研究进展

系统介绍了近年来黑曲霉β-葡萄糖苷酶(EC3.2.1.2)的酶解特征、酶学性质、催化机制、活性中心、生物学功能及应用技术等方面的研究进展,并展望了其应用前景。     

紫外诱变柠檬酸生产菌黑曲霉的选育

初步研究了柠檬酸生产菌黑曲霉产柠檬酸的影响因素和培养条件,通过紫外诱变考察了出发菌株的受诱变性,统计了紫外诱变黑曲霉引起的生物学效应,在紫外诱变过程中筛选到一株稳定高产菌株10min-3,产酸增加了5.33%,可作为进一步诱变筛选的出发菌株.