Moulds in food spoilage

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi that structurally consists of a para-chlorophenolic group containing a dihydroisocoumarin moiety that is amide-linked to L-phenylalanine. OTA is detected worldwide in various food and feed sources. Studies show that this molecule can have several toxicological effects such as nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic. A role in the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy and its association to urinary tract tumors has been also proved. In this review, we will explore the general aspect of OTA: physico-chemical properties, toxicological profile, OTA producing fungi, contaminated food, regulation, legislation and analytical methods. Due to lack of sufficient information related to the molecular background, this paper will discuss in detail the recent advances in molecular biology of OTA biosynthesis, based on information and on new data about identification and characterization of ochratoxin biosynthetic genes in both Penicillium and Aspergillus species. This review will also cover the development of the molecular methods for the detection and quantification of OTA producing fungi in various foodstuffs.

Ochratoxin a: general overview and actual molecular status.

https://orbit.dtu.dk/files/5744216/57full.pdf

Two new aflatoxin producing species, and an overview of Aspergillus section Flavi

Taxonomy of Aspergillus section Flavi and their production of aflatoxins, ochratoxins and other mycotoxins

The source of ochratoxin A in Brazilian coffee and its formation in relation to processing methods

Various strains of species belonging to the Aspergillus ochraceus group (A. ochraceus, A. sclerotiorum, A. alliaceus, A. ostianus, A. melleus, and A. sulphureus) can produce two mycotoxins, ochrato...

Bioproduction of ochratoxin A and penicillic acid by members of the Aspergillus ochraceus group.

Chapter 1 - Fungal Toxins*

The effect of aflatoxin B1 on induced and constitutive enzyme synthesis was examined in strains of Bacillus cereus (NRRL B-569, NRRL B-3537) and Bacillus licheniformis (NRRL B-3560, NRRL B-3540). Although B1 partially blocked penicillinase elaboration in B. cereus after incubation with the toxin, the level of B1-mediated reduction in total protein synthesis was similar to the diminished production of penicillinase. Comparative studies on the effects of aflatoxin B1 and actinomycin D on enzyme synthesis and growth in B. licheniformis demonstrated that actinomycin D exerted a differential inhibitory effect on induction of penicillinase and α-glucosidase, whereas levels of reduction of enzyme production initiated by aflatoxin resembled toxin-mediated growth inhibition. Thus, the mode of action of aflatoxin B1 is not exclusively analogous to that of actinomycin D in B. licheniformis. However, induced-penicillinase production in B. licheniformis was enhanced by relatively low levels of both actinomycin D and a...

Alex Ciegler

Papers

Bioproduction of ochratoxin A and penicillic acid by members of the Aspergillus ochraceus group.

Chapter 1 - Fungal Toxins*

Aflatoxin B1 effect on enzyme biosynthesis in Bacillus cereus and Bacillus licheniformis.

Microbiological decontamination of aflatoxin-contaminated edibles