loading page

Cocoa-associated filamentous fungi for the biocontrol of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus
  • +5
  • Daniel Oduro-Mensah,
  • Sammy Lowor,
  • Yahaya Bukari,
  • Jacob Donkor,
  • Bismark Minnah,
  • Derry Dontoh,
  • Ayesha Amadu,
  • Augustine Ocloo
Daniel Oduro-Mensah
University of Ghana

Corresponding Author:danoduro-mensah@ug.edu.gh

Author Profile
Sammy Lowor
Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
Author Profile
Yahaya Bukari
Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
Author Profile
Jacob Donkor
University of Ghana
Author Profile
Bismark Minnah
West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens
Author Profile
Derry Dontoh
Ghana Standards Authority
Author Profile
Ayesha Amadu
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Author Profile
Augustine Ocloo
University of Ghana
Author Profile

Abstract

Aflatoxin and other mycotoxin contamination are major threats to global food security and present an urgent need to secure the global food crop against spoilage by mycotoxigenic fungi. Cocoa material is noted for naturally low aflatoxin contamination. This study was designed to assess the potential for harnessing cocoa-associated filamentous fungi for the biocontrol of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus. The candidate fungi were isolated from fermented cocoa beans collected from four cocoa-growing areas in Ghana. Molecular characterization included ITS-sequencing for identification and PCR to determine mating type. Effects of the candidate isolates on growth and aflatoxin-production by an aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolate (BANGA1) were assessed. Aflatoxin production was monitored by UV fluorescence and quantified by ELISA. Thirty-six filamentous fungi were cultured and identified as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Lichtheimia or Trichoderma spp. isolates. The isolates generally interacted negatively with BANGA1 growth and aflatoxin production. The A. niger and A. aculeatus biocontrol candidates showed the strongest colony antagonism (54–94%) and reduction in aflatoxin production (12–50%) on agar. In broth, the A. niger isolates reduced aflatoxin production by up to 97%. Metabolites from the A. niger isolates showed the strongest inhibition of growth by BANGA1 and inhibited aflatoxin production. Four of the candidate isolates belonged to the MAT1-1 mating type and 12 identified as MAT1-2. This may be indicative of the potential for genetic recombination events between fungi in the field, and finding which is particularly relevant to the risk posed by A. flavus biocontrol measures that rely on atoxigenic A. flavus strains.
28 Mar 2023Submitted to Journal of Basic Microbiology
03 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
03 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
03 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Apr 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 May 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
30 May 20231st Revision Received
01 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
01 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
01 Jun 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Jun 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Accept