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Climate change (CC) is predicted to increase the risk of aflatoxin (AF) contamination in maize, as highlighted by a project supported by EFSA in 2009. We performed a comprehensive literature search using the Scopus search engine to extract peer-reviewed studies citing this study. A total of 224 papers were identified after step I filtering (187 + 37), while step II filtering identified 25 of these papers for quantitative analysis. The unselected papers (199) were categorized as “actions” because they provided a sounding board for the expected impact of CC on AFB1 contamination, without adding new data on the topic. The remaining papers were considered as “reactions” of the scientific community because they went a step further in their data and ideas. Interesting statements taken from the “reactions” could be summarized with the following keywords: Chain and multi-actor approach, intersectoral and multidisciplinary, resilience, human and animal health, and global vision. In addition, fields meriting increased research efforts were summarized as the improvement of predictive modeling; extension to different crops and geographic areas; and the impact of CC on fungi and mycotoxin co-occurrence, both in crops and their value chains, up to consumers.
Marco Leggieri; Piero Toscano; Paola Battilani. Predicted Aflatoxin B1 Increase in Europe Due to Climate Change: Actions and Reactions at Global Level. Toxins 2021, 13, 292 .
AMA StyleMarco Leggieri, Piero Toscano, Paola Battilani. Predicted Aflatoxin B1 Increase in Europe Due to Climate Change: Actions and Reactions at Global Level. Toxins. 2021; 13 (4):292.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Leggieri; Piero Toscano; Paola Battilani. 2021. "Predicted Aflatoxin B1 Increase in Europe Due to Climate Change: Actions and Reactions at Global Level." Toxins 13, no. 4: 292.
During the last decade, there have been many advances in research and technology that have greatly contributed to expanded capabilities and knowledge in detection and measurement, characterization, biosynthesis, and management of mycotoxins in maize. MycoKey, an EU‐funded Horizon 2020 project, was established to advance knowledge and technology transfer around the globe to address mycotoxin impacts in key food and feed chains. MycoKey included several working groups comprising international experts in different fields of mycotoxicology. The MycoKey Maize Working Group recently convened to gather information and strategize for the development and implementation of solutions to the maize mycotoxin problem in light of current and emerging technologies. This feature summarizes the Maize WG discussion and recommendations for addressing mycotoxin problems in maize. Discussions focused on aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, and zearalenone, which are the most widespread and persistently important mycotoxins in maize. Although regional differences were recognized, there was consensus about many of the priorities for research and effective management strategies. For preharvest management, genetic resistance and selecting adapted maize genotypes, along with insect management, were among the most fruitful strategies identified across the mycotoxin groups. For postharvest management, the most important practices included timely harvest, rapid grain drying, grain cleaning, and carefully managed storage conditions. Remediation practices such as optical sorting, density separation, milling, and chemical detoxification were also suggested. Future research and communication priorities included advanced breeding technologies, development of risk assessment tools, and the development and dissemination of regionally relevant management guidelines.
Antonio Logrieco; Paola Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Yu Jiang; Geert Haesaert; Alessandra Lanubile; George Mahuku; Akos Mesterházy; Alejandro Ortega-Beltran; Marco Pasti; Irina Smeu; Adriana M Torres; Miss Jing Xu; Gary P Munkvold. Perspectives on Global Mycotoxin Issues and Management From the MycoKey Maize Working Group. Plant Disease 2021, 105, 525 -537.
AMA StyleAntonio Logrieco, Paola Battilani, Marco Camardo Leggieri, Yu Jiang, Geert Haesaert, Alessandra Lanubile, George Mahuku, Akos Mesterházy, Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, Marco Pasti, Irina Smeu, Adriana M Torres, Miss Jing Xu, Gary P Munkvold. Perspectives on Global Mycotoxin Issues and Management From the MycoKey Maize Working Group. Plant Disease. 2021; 105 (3):525-537.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonio Logrieco; Paola Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Yu Jiang; Geert Haesaert; Alessandra Lanubile; George Mahuku; Akos Mesterházy; Alejandro Ortega-Beltran; Marco Pasti; Irina Smeu; Adriana M Torres; Miss Jing Xu; Gary P Munkvold. 2021. "Perspectives on Global Mycotoxin Issues and Management From the MycoKey Maize Working Group." Plant Disease 105, no. 3: 525-537.
In recent years, very many incidences of contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in pistachio nuts have been reported as a major global problem for the crop. In Europe, legislation is in force and 12 μg/kg of AFB1 is the maximum limit set for pistachios to be subjected to physical treatment before human consumption. The goal of the current study was to develop a mechanistic, weather-driven model to predict Aspergillus flavus growth and the AFB1 contamination of pistachios on a daily basis from nut setting until harvest. The planned steps were to: (i) build a phenology model to predict the pistachio growth stages, (ii) develop a prototype model named AFLA-pistachio (model transfer from AFLA-maize), (iii) collect the meteorological and AFB1 contamination data from pistachio orchards, (iv) run the model and elaborate a probability function to estimate the likelihood of overcoming the legal limit, and (v) manage a preliminary validation. The internal validation of AFLA-pistachio indicated that 75% of the predictions were correct. In the external validation with an independent three-year dataset, 95.6% of the samples were correctly predicted. According to the results, AFLA-pistachio seems to be a reliable tool to follow the dynamic of AFB1 contamination risk throughout the pistachio growing season.
Michail D. Kaminiaris; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Dimitrios I. Tsitsigiannis; Paola Battilani. AFLA-PISTACHIO: Development of a Mechanistic Model to Predict the Aflatoxin Contamination of Pistachio Nuts. Toxins 2020, 12, 445 .
AMA StyleMichail D. Kaminiaris, Marco Camardo Leggieri, Dimitrios I. Tsitsigiannis, Paola Battilani. AFLA-PISTACHIO: Development of a Mechanistic Model to Predict the Aflatoxin Contamination of Pistachio Nuts. Toxins. 2020; 12 (7):445.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichail D. Kaminiaris; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Dimitrios I. Tsitsigiannis; Paola Battilani. 2020. "AFLA-PISTACHIO: Development of a Mechanistic Model to Predict the Aflatoxin Contamination of Pistachio Nuts." Toxins 12, no. 7: 445.
No information is available in the literature about the influence of temperature (T) on Penicillium and Aspergillus spp. growth and mycotoxin production on cheese rinds. The aim of this work was to: (i) study fungal ecology on cheese in terms of T requirements, focusing on the partitioning of mycotoxins between the rind and mycelium; and (ii) validate predictive models previously developed by in vitro trials. Grana cheese rind blocks were inoculated with A. versicolor, P. crustosum, P. nordicum, P. roqueforti, and P. verrucosum, incubated at different T regimes (10–30 °C, step 5 °C) and after 14 days the production of mycotoxins (ochratoxin A (OTA); sterigmatocystin (STC); roquefortine C (ROQ-C), mycophenolic acid (MPA), Pr toxin (PR-Tox), citrinin (CIT), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)) was quantified. All the fungi grew optimally around 15–25 °C and produced the expected mycotoxins (except MPA, Pr-Tox, and CIT). The majority of the mycotoxins produced remained in the mycelium (~90%) in three out of five fungal species (P. crustosum, P. nordicum, and P. roqueforti); the opposite occurred for A. versicolor and P. verrucosum with 71% and 58% of STC and OTA detected in cheese rind, respectively. Available predictive models fitted fungal growth on the cheese rind well, but validation was not possible for mycotoxins because they were produced in a very narrow T range.
Marco Camardo Leggieri; Amedeo Pietri; Paola Battilani. Modelling Fungal Growth, Mycotoxin Production and Release in Grana Cheese. Microorganisms 2020, 8, 69 .
AMA StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri, Amedeo Pietri, Paola Battilani. Modelling Fungal Growth, Mycotoxin Production and Release in Grana Cheese. Microorganisms. 2020; 8 (1):69.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri; Amedeo Pietri; Paola Battilani. 2020. "Modelling Fungal Growth, Mycotoxin Production and Release in Grana Cheese." Microorganisms 8, no. 1: 69.
The objectives of this study were to determine, in-vitro, the influence of temperature (T; 10–30 °C, step 5°), water activity (aw, 0.83–0.99; step 0.04) and time on sporulation (SPO) of some cheese-related fungi belonging to Penicillium spp. and A. versicolor. Overall, sporulation started rapidly (8 h in optimal conditions); it was significantly influenced by T and aw and the fungi studied were clearly distinguished based on their thermo-hydro adaptation. Boundary conditions for sporulation were defined for all the fungi considered and the sporulation rate was successfully modelled, especially based on T and time regimes. Penicillium crustosum, P. nordicum and P. verrucosum showed optimum for SPO at T between 20 and 25 °C and their sporulation continued up to aw = 0.87 (aw = 0.83 for P. nordicum). They resulted the fungi best adapted to the environmental conditions of ripening grana cheese storehouses; therefore, it is expected they dominate on the grana cheese surface. Studies on cheese are necessary to validate these results obtained on artificial media and without fungi co-occurrence.
Marco Camardo Leggieri; Simone DeContardi; Paola Battilani. Modelling the sporulation of some fungi associated with cheese, at different temperature and water activity regimes. International Journal of Food Microbiology 2018, 278, 52 -60.
AMA StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri, Simone DeContardi, Paola Battilani. Modelling the sporulation of some fungi associated with cheese, at different temperature and water activity regimes. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 2018; 278 ():52-60.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri; Simone DeContardi; Paola Battilani. 2018. "Modelling the sporulation of some fungi associated with cheese, at different temperature and water activity regimes." International Journal of Food Microbiology 278, no. : 52-60.
The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro and model the effect of temperature (T) and water activity (aw) conditions on growth and toxin production by some toxigenic fungi signaled in cheese. Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium camemberti, P. citrinum, P. crustosum, P. nalgiovense, P. nordicum, P. roqueforti, P. verrucosum were considered they were grown under different T (0–40 °C) and aw (0.78–0.99) regimes. The highest relative growth occurred around 25 °C; all the fungi were very susceptible to aw and 0.99 was optimal for almost all species (except for A. versicolor, awopt = 0.96). The highest toxin production occurred between 15 and 25 °C and 0.96–0.99 aw. Therefore, during grana cheese ripening, managed between 15 and 22 °C, ochratoxin A (OTA), penitrem A (PA), roquefortine-C (ROQ-C) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) are apparently at the highest production risk. Bete and logistic function described fungal growth under different T and aw regimes well, respectively. Bete function described also STC, PA, ROQ-C and OTA production as well as function of T. These models would be very useful as starting point to develop a mechanistic model to predict fungal growth and toxin production during cheese ripening and to help advising the most proper setting of environmental factors to minimize the contamination risk.
Marco Camardo Leggieri; Simone DeContardi; Terenzio Bertuzzi; Amedeo Pietri; Paola Battilani. Modeling Growth and Toxin Production of Toxigenic Fungi Signaled in Cheese under Different Temperature and Water Activity Regimes. Toxins 2016, 9, 4 .
AMA StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri, Simone DeContardi, Terenzio Bertuzzi, Amedeo Pietri, Paola Battilani. Modeling Growth and Toxin Production of Toxigenic Fungi Signaled in Cheese under Different Temperature and Water Activity Regimes. Toxins. 2016; 9 (1):4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri; Simone DeContardi; Terenzio Bertuzzi; Amedeo Pietri; Paola Battilani. 2016. "Modeling Growth and Toxin Production of Toxigenic Fungi Signaled in Cheese under Different Temperature and Water Activity Regimes." Toxins 9, no. 1: 4.
Climate change has been reported as a driver for emerging food and feed safety issues worldwide and its expected impact on the presence of mycotoxins in food and feed is of great concern. Aflatoxins have the highest acute and chronic toxicity of all mycotoxins; hence, the maximal concentration in agricultural food and feed products and their commodities is regulated worldwide. The possible change in patterns of aflatoxin occurrence in crops due to climate change is a matter of concern that may require anticipatory actions. The aim of this study was to predict aflatoxin contamination in maize and wheat crops, within the next 100 years, under a +2 °C and +5 °C climate change scenario, applying a modelling approach. Europe was virtually covered by a net, 50 × 50 km grids, identifying 2254 meshes with a central point each. Climate data were generated for each point, linked to predictive models and predictions were run consequently. Aflatoxin B1 is predicted to become a food safety issue in maize in Europe, especially in the +2 °C scenario, the most probable scenario of climate change expected for the next years. These results represent a supporting tool to reinforce aflatoxin management and to prevent human and animal exposure.
Paola Battilani; Piero Toscano; H. J. Van Der Fels-Klerx; A. Moretti; Marco Camardo Leggieri; C. Brera; A. Rortais; T. Goumperis; T. Robinson. Aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize in Europe increases due to climate change. Scientific Reports 2016, 6, 24328 -24328.
AMA StylePaola Battilani, Piero Toscano, H. J. Van Der Fels-Klerx, A. Moretti, Marco Camardo Leggieri, C. Brera, A. Rortais, T. Goumperis, T. Robinson. Aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize in Europe increases due to climate change. Scientific Reports. 2016; 6 (1):24328-24328.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola Battilani; Piero Toscano; H. J. Van Der Fels-Klerx; A. Moretti; Marco Camardo Leggieri; C. Brera; A. Rortais; T. Goumperis; T. Robinson. 2016. "Aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize in Europe increases due to climate change." Scientific Reports 6, no. 1: 24328-24328.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a fungal metabolite dangerous for human and animal health due to its nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects, classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in group 2B, possible human carcinogen. This toxin has been stated as a wine contaminant since 1996. The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model for the dynamic simulation of the A. carbonarius life cycle in grapes along the growing season, including OTA production in berries. Functions describing the role of weather parameters in each step of the infection cycle were developed and organized in a prototype model called OTA-grapes. Modelling the influence of temperature on OTA production, it emerged that fungal strains can be shared in two different clusters, based on the dynamic of OTA production and according to the optimal temperature. Therefore, two functions were developed, and based on statistical data analysis, it was assumed that the two types of strains contribute equally to the population. Model validation was not possible because of poor OTA contamination data, but relevant differences in OTA-I, the output index of the model, were noticed between low and high risk areas. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to assess/model A. carbonarius in order to predict the risk of OTA contamination in grapes.
Battilani Paola; Camardo Leggieri Marco; Paola Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri. OTA-Grapes: A Mechanistic Model to Predict Ochratoxin A Risk in Grapes, a Step beyond the Systems Approach. Toxins 2015, 7, 3012 -3029.
AMA StyleBattilani Paola, Camardo Leggieri Marco, Paola Battilani, Marco Camardo Leggieri. OTA-Grapes: A Mechanistic Model to Predict Ochratoxin A Risk in Grapes, a Step beyond the Systems Approach. Toxins. 2015; 7 (8):3012-3029.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBattilani Paola; Camardo Leggieri Marco; Paola Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri. 2015. "OTA-Grapes: A Mechanistic Model to Predict Ochratoxin A Risk in Grapes, a Step beyond the Systems Approach." Toxins 7, no. 8: 3012-3029.
The aim of this work was to design the potential support given by predictive models to maize management in a chain vision aimed at minimising aflatoxin contamination and human and animal exposure. There are some predictive models available but only AFLA-maize, which is a mechanistic model, is suitable for aflatoxin risk prediction worldwide. Weather data are the mandatory input for aflatoxin risk prediction and the output depends strictly on data sources, thus being influenced by both the time and distance scale of meteorological data. A user friendly summary interface of output data from predictive models is represented by risk maps in which the spatial gradient of the risk is highlighted. Actual (day by day throughout the maize growing season), historical (collected in the past) and future (predicted) data can be considered from single weather stations, a network of weather stations or a data base to support a single farm, a group of farms or an area, respectively. Past scenarios are the output generated by historical data, predictions related to actual data describe the risk situation of the current growing season and future data support the prediction of future scenarios. Model predictions cannot really support operational decisions throughout the maize growing season, but they are useful approaching crop ripening, when it is suggested that early harvest is associated with high risk and a switch from contaminated grain to non-food/ feed use can be decided. Scenarios generated by historical data can support preseason decisions with more careful management in high risk areas, while climate change scenarios are mainly destined for strategic actions deputed to institutions and policy makers. Model predictions destined for all the actors in the chain (farmers, extension services, stakeholders, politicians, institutions and researchers) can further support crop management, being also useful as communication and risk management tools.
P. Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri. Predictive modelling of aflatoxin contamination to support maize chain management. World Mycotoxin Journal 2015, 8, 161 -170.
AMA StyleP. Battilani, Marco Camardo Leggieri. Predictive modelling of aflatoxin contamination to support maize chain management. World Mycotoxin Journal. 2015; 8 (2):161-170.
Chicago/Turabian StyleP. Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri. 2015. "Predictive modelling of aflatoxin contamination to support maize chain management." World Mycotoxin Journal 8, no. 2: 161-170.
The objective was to compare the ability of spores of Aspergillus carbonarius to germinate in vitro, in situ on grape skin and grape flesh in relation to temperature (15–40 °C) and different relative humidities (100–85 % RH). Spores were inoculated as a spore suspension (106 spores ml−1) onto the surface of white organic grapes and directly onto cut grape flesh. For comparison, spores were spread plate onto a synthetic grape juice medium (SGM) modified to the equivalent water activity (aw) range of 0.995–0.85. This showed that conidia germinated more rapidly on grape flesh (6 h) followed by that on the SGM medium (9 h) and then grape skin (24 h) under optimal condition of 30–35 °C and 100 % RH. At marginal conditions, such as 15 °C and 85–90 % RH, germination was very slow. The time to 5 % germination was significantly shorter on grape flesh than in vitro on grape medium and slowest on grape skin. This suggests that damaged grapes provide the main method of infection and contamination of grapes and grape products with ochratoxin A (OTA). The combined effect of temperature and RH on conidial germination of A. carbonarius on SGM and grape skin was described by combining Beta and polynomial equations. The equations developed in this work provided a good fit of the biological processes; they could be integrated in a predictive model for infection and OTA prediction in ripening grapes.
Marco Camardo Leggieri; David Mitchell; David Aldred; Paola Battilani; Naresh Magan. Hydro- and thermotimes for conidial germination kinetics of the ochratoxigenic species Aspergillus carbonarius in vitro, on grape skin and grape flesh. Fungal Biology 2014, 118, 996 -1003.
AMA StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri, David Mitchell, David Aldred, Paola Battilani, Naresh Magan. Hydro- and thermotimes for conidial germination kinetics of the ochratoxigenic species Aspergillus carbonarius in vitro, on grape skin and grape flesh. Fungal Biology. 2014; 118 (12):996-1003.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri; David Mitchell; David Aldred; Paola Battilani; Naresh Magan. 2014. "Hydro- and thermotimes for conidial germination kinetics of the ochratoxigenic species Aspergillus carbonarius in vitro, on grape skin and grape flesh." Fungal Biology 118, no. 12: 996-1003.
The occurrence of the most widespread type A and B trichothecenes and of zearalenone was surveyed in soft and durum wheat produced in northern Italy. A total of 293 wheat fields, grown in the years 2009–2011, were surveyed; for each field, weather and cropping system data were collected. The results indicated a high deoxynivalenol incidence, with durum always more contaminated than soft wheat; in 2010, the percentage of durum wheat samples exceeding the European Commission legal limit was 39.6%. As regards type A trichothecenes, widespread contamination was observed in 2010. In soft wheat, an incidence of 70% and 85% was found for T-2 and HT-2 toxins, respectively; all the durum wheat samples were contaminated. The trichothecene contamination was affected by weather conditions; copious rainfall and high relative humidity (RH) during flowering occurred in 2010, when the highest contamination of both type A and B trichothecenes was found.
Terenzio Bertuzzi; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Paola Battilani; Amedeo Pietri. Co-occurrence of type A and B trichothecenes and zearalenone in wheat grown in northern Italy over the years 2009–2011. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B 2014, 7, 273 -281.
AMA StyleTerenzio Bertuzzi, Marco Camardo Leggieri, Paola Battilani, Amedeo Pietri. Co-occurrence of type A and B trichothecenes and zearalenone in wheat grown in northern Italy over the years 2009–2011. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B. 2014; 7 (4):273-281.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTerenzio Bertuzzi; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Paola Battilani; Amedeo Pietri. 2014. "Co-occurrence of type A and B trichothecenes and zearalenone in wheat grown in northern Italy over the years 2009–2011." Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B 7, no. 4: 273-281.
To date, several models that predict deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat at harvest are available. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of two of such models, including a mechanistic model developed in Italy and an empirical model developed in the Netherlands. To this end, field data collected in the periods 2002-2004 and 2009-2011 in Italy, and in the period 2001-2010 in the Netherlands were used. These historical data covered farm observations at 1,306 wheat fields, of which 155 in the Netherlands and 1,151 in Italy. A subset of 10% of the Italian data, derived by random sampling from the total Italian dataset, was used to validate both the Italian and the Dutch model. Additionally, the Italian mechanistic model was validated using the total Dutch dataset. Before validating the Dutch model, it was recalibrated using the remaining 90% of the Italian data. Results showed that predictions of both modelling approaches (mechanistic and empirical) for independent wheat fields were in accordance. Applying a threshold for DON concentration of 1,250 ?g/kg, the mechanistic DON model predicted 90% of the samples correctly. Results for cross-validation of the mechanistic DON model and the recalibrated empirical DON model showed that 93% of the samples were correctly predicted. In general, no more than 6% of underestimates were observed.
Marco Camardo Leggieri; H.J. Van Der Fels-Klerx; P. Battilani. Cross-validation of predictive models for deoxynivalenol in wheat at harvest. World Mycotoxin Journal 2013, 6, 389 -397.
AMA StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri, H.J. Van Der Fels-Klerx, P. Battilani. Cross-validation of predictive models for deoxynivalenol in wheat at harvest. World Mycotoxin Journal. 2013; 6 (4):389-397.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri; H.J. Van Der Fels-Klerx; P. Battilani. 2013. "Cross-validation of predictive models for deoxynivalenol in wheat at harvest." World Mycotoxin Journal 6, no. 4: 389-397.
Paola Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri; V. Rossi; Paola Giorni. AFLA-maize, a mechanistic model for Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 2013, 94, 38 -46.
AMA StylePaola Battilani, Marco Camardo Leggieri, V. Rossi, Paola Giorni. AFLA-maize, a mechanistic model for Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. 2013; 94 ():38-46.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola Battilani; Marco Camardo Leggieri; V. Rossi; Paola Giorni. 2013. "AFLA-maize, a mechanistic model for Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize." Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 94, no. : 38-46.
A key step in the infection cycle by Aspergillus flavus in maize is sporulation of sclerotia present in soil or in crop debris. However, little information is available on this critical and important phase. This study included experiments on artificial (Czapek Dox Agar (CZ)) and natural (maize stalks) substrates under different conditions of temperature (T; from 5 to 45 °C) and water activity (aw; from 0.50 to 0.99) levels to quantify sporulation from sclerotia. The mean numbers of spores were higher on defined nutritional medium in vitro on CZ agar than on maize stalks (4.5 × 106 spores/sclerotium versus 4.2 × 104 spores/sclerotium) with production initiated after 6 and 24 h, respectively. Surprisingly, the optimal temperature was found at 30–35 °C for CZ agar (9.23 × 106 spores/sclerotium) and to be 20–25 °C for maize stalks (6.26 × 104 spores/sclerotium). Water stress imposition only reduced sporulation at ≤0.90 aw. With more available water no significant differences were found between 0.90 and 0.99 aw. This type of data is critical in the development of a mechanistic model to predict the infection cycle of A. flavus in maize in relation to meteorological conditions.
Paola Giorni; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Naresh Magan; Paola Battilani. Comparison of temperature and moisture requirements for sporulation of Aspergillus flavus sclerotia on natural and artificial substrates. Fungal Biology 2012, 116, 637 -642.
AMA StylePaola Giorni, Marco Camardo Leggieri, Naresh Magan, Paola Battilani. Comparison of temperature and moisture requirements for sporulation of Aspergillus flavus sclerotia on natural and artificial substrates. Fungal Biology. 2012; 116 (6):637-642.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaola Giorni; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Naresh Magan; Paola Battilani. 2012. "Comparison of temperature and moisture requirements for sporulation of Aspergillus flavus sclerotia on natural and artificial substrates." Fungal Biology 116, no. 6: 637-642.
Twelve yeast strains isolated from the surface of Italian typical dry-cured hams, belonging to D. hansenii, D. maramus, C. famata, C. zeylanoides and H. burtonii species, and previously selected for their ability to grow in dry-cured ham-like substrates, were screened for antagonistic activity against a toxigenic strain of P. nordicum and inhibition of ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthesis. On average, yeast inhibitory activity was lowered by increasing fungal inoculum and enhanced by NaCl presence. In the assay conditions, H. burtonii and C. zeylanoides were the most effective, both in inhibiting P. nordicum growth and OTA production. D. hansenii was the species with the lowest inhibitory activity, especially in the absence of salt. OTA production dropped from the range P. nordicum control plates to the range P. nordicum control plates, while salt enhanced inhibition against OTA production in yeast-added plates.
Roberta Virgili; Nicoletta Simoncini; Tania Toscani; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Silvia Formenti; Paola Battilani. Biocontrol of Penicillium nordicum Growth and Ochratoxin A Production by Native Yeasts of Dry Cured Ham. Toxins 2012, 4, 68 -82.
AMA StyleRoberta Virgili, Nicoletta Simoncini, Tania Toscani, Marco Camardo Leggieri, Silvia Formenti, Paola Battilani. Biocontrol of Penicillium nordicum Growth and Ochratoxin A Production by Native Yeasts of Dry Cured Ham. Toxins. 2012; 4 (2):68-82.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRoberta Virgili; Nicoletta Simoncini; Tania Toscani; Marco Camardo Leggieri; Silvia Formenti; Paola Battilani. 2012. "Biocontrol of Penicillium nordicum Growth and Ochratoxin A Production by Native Yeasts of Dry Cured Ham." Toxins 4, no. 2: 68-82.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential use of qualitative volatile patterns produced by Penicillium nordicum to discriminate between ochratoxin A (OTA) producers and non-producer strains on a ham-based medium. Experiments were carried out on a 3% ham medium at two water activities (aw ; 0.995, 0.95) inoculated with P. nordicum spores and incubated at 25°C for up to 14 days. Growing colonies were sampled after 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days, placed in 30-ml vials, sealed and the head space analysed using a hybrid sensor electronic nose device. The effect of environmental conditions on growth and OTA production was evaluated based on the qualitative response. However, after 7 days, it was possible to discriminate between strains grown at 0.995 aw, and after 14 days, the OTA producer and non-producer strain and the controls could be discriminated at both aw levels. This study suggests that volatile patterns produced by P. nordicum strains may differ and be used to predict the presence of toxigenic contaminants in ham. This approach could be utilised in ham production as part of a quality assurance system for preventing OTA contamination.
Marco Camardo Leggieri; Neus Planas Pont; Paola Battilani; Naresh Magan. Detection and discrimination between ochratoxin producer and non-producer strains of Penicillium nordicum on a ham-based medium using an electronic nose. Mycotoxin Research 2010, 27, 29 -35.
AMA StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri, Neus Planas Pont, Paola Battilani, Naresh Magan. Detection and discrimination between ochratoxin producer and non-producer strains of Penicillium nordicum on a ham-based medium using an electronic nose. Mycotoxin Research. 2010; 27 (1):29-35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarco Camardo Leggieri; Neus Planas Pont; Paola Battilani; Naresh Magan. 2010. "Detection and discrimination between ochratoxin producer and non-producer strains of Penicillium nordicum on a ham-based medium using an electronic nose." Mycotoxin Research 27, no. 1: 29-35.