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My research career has been focused on the field of mycotoxins and phytopathogenic fungi and began with the execution of my Doctoral Thesis in the Department of Microbiology III of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) followed by a post-doctoral period at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). Currently, I am associate professor of Microbiology in the Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology (UCM). My areas of expertise include molecular diagnosis of mycotoxigenic fungi, the study of the genetic basis of mycotoxin biosynthesis as well as the development of novel ecofriendly methods to avoid mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs. Due to my intense research activity, I have published more than 30 indexed papers in scientific journals (most of them belonging to the Q1 according to the JRC) and I have presented more than 50 conference communications.
Aspergillus section Circumdati includes 27 species, some of which are considered ochratoxin A (OTA) producers. However, there is considerable controversy about their potential OTA synthesis ability. In this work, the complete genomes of 13 species of Aspergillus section Circumdati were analyzed in order to study the cluster of OTA biosynthetic genes and the region was compared to those previously reported in A. steynii and A. westerdijkiae. The results obtained reveal that the genomes of some species in this section, including A. affinis, A. cretensis, A. elegans, A. muricatus, A. pulvericola, A. roseoglobulosus, and A. subramanianii, contain a potentially functional OTA biosynthetic cluster. Therefore, they might be able to synthesize the toxin. On the contrary, A. melleus, A. ochraceus, A. ostianus, A. persii, A. sclerotiorum, A. sesamicola, and A. westlandensis contain a truncated version of the cluster that lacks many of the genes involved in OTA biosynthesis, which might be related to their inability to produce OTA. The gain/loss pattern is different in all species, which suggests that the genetic evolution of this region might be due to independent events.
Jéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. The Genomic Regions That Contain Ochratoxin A Biosynthetic Genes Widely Differ in Aspergillus Section Circumdati Species. Toxins 2020, 12, 754 .
AMA StyleJéssica Gil-Serna, Covadonga Vázquez, Belén Patiño. The Genomic Regions That Contain Ochratoxin A Biosynthetic Genes Widely Differ in Aspergillus Section Circumdati Species. Toxins. 2020; 12 (12):754.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. 2020. "The Genomic Regions That Contain Ochratoxin A Biosynthetic Genes Widely Differ in Aspergillus Section Circumdati Species." Toxins 12, no. 12: 754.
Consumer dietary habits have drastically changed in recent decades and functional beverages now have a strong position in the market. The majority of these beverages are produced using simple processes that use raw products, such as cereals, legumes, fruits, and nuts, among others, and these are known to be frequently contaminated with mycotoxins. This review is focused on the occurrence of these toxic compounds in plant-based milks, fruit juices, and herbal teas. The fate of the toxins during processing is discussed to establish the potential risk posed by the consumption of these kind of beverages regarding mycotoxin uptake.
Jéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. Mycotoxins in Functional Beverages: A Review. Beverages 2020, 6, 52 .
AMA StyleJéssica Gil-Serna, Covadonga Vázquez, Belén Patiño. Mycotoxins in Functional Beverages: A Review. Beverages. 2020; 6 (3):52.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. 2020. "Mycotoxins in Functional Beverages: A Review." Beverages 6, no. 3: 52.
Aflatoxin contamination of foodstuffs poses a serious risk to food security, and it is essential to search for new control methods to prevent these toxins entering the food chain. Several essential oils are able to reduce the growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis of toxigenic species, although their efficiency is strongly influenced by the environmental conditions. In this work, the effectiveness of Satureja montana and Origanum virens essential oils to control Aspergillus flavus growth was evaluated under three water activity levels (0.94, 0.96 and 0.98 aw) using a Bioscreen C, a rapid in vitro spectrophotometric technique. The aflatoxin concentrations at all conditions tested were determined by HPLC-FLD. Aspergillus flavus growth was delayed by both essential oil treatments. However, only S. montana essential oil was able to significantly affect aflatoxin production, although the inhibition percentages widely differed among water activities. The most significant reduction was observed at 0.96 aw, which is coincident with the conditions in which A. flavus reached the highest levels of aflatoxin production. On the contrary, the treatment with S. montana essential oil was not effective in significantly reducing aflatoxin production at 0.94 aw. Therefore, it is important to study the interaction of the new control compounds with environmental factors before their application in food matrices, and in vitro ecophysiological studies are a good option since they provide accurate and rapid results.
Marta García-Díaz; Jessica Gil-Serna; Belén Patiño; Esther García-Cela; Naresh Magan; Ángel Medina. Assessment of the Effect of Satureja montana and Origanum virens Essential Oils on Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production at Different Water Activities. Toxins 2020, 12, 142 .
AMA StyleMarta García-Díaz, Jessica Gil-Serna, Belén Patiño, Esther García-Cela, Naresh Magan, Ángel Medina. Assessment of the Effect of Satureja montana and Origanum virens Essential Oils on Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production at Different Water Activities. Toxins. 2020; 12 (3):142.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta García-Díaz; Jessica Gil-Serna; Belén Patiño; Esther García-Cela; Naresh Magan; Ángel Medina. 2020. "Assessment of the Effect of Satureja montana and Origanum virens Essential Oils on Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production at Different Water Activities." Toxins 12, no. 3: 142.
Mycotoxin contamination is one of the main problems affecting corn production, due to its significant risk to human and animal health. The Fusarium and Aspergillus species are the main producers of mycotoxins in maize, infecting both pre-harvest and during storage. In this work, we evaluated the presence of mycotoxins and their producing species along maize production cycles in three different stages (anthesis, harvest, and storage) during three consecutive seasons (2016–2018). Fungal occurrences were studied using species-specific PCR protocols, whereas mycotoxin levels were determined by LC-MS/MS. Fumonisin-producing Fusarium species (F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum), as well as the aflatoxin producer Aspergillus flavus, were the most predominant species at all stages; although, during some seasons, the presence of F. graminearum and A. niger aggregate species were also identified. Contrastingly, fumonisins were the only mycotoxins detected and levels were always under legal regulations. The results presented here demonstrate that even when fungal contamination occurs at the early stages of the maize production cycle, the application of good agricultural and storage practices might be crucial to ensure mycotoxin-free grains.
Marta García-Díaz; Jéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; María Nieves Botia; Belén Patiño. A Comprehensive Study on the Occurrence of Mycotoxins and Their Producing Fungi during the Maize Production Cycle in Spain. Microorganisms 2020, 8, 141 .
AMA StyleMarta García-Díaz, Jéssica Gil-Serna, Covadonga Vázquez, María Nieves Botia, Belén Patiño. A Comprehensive Study on the Occurrence of Mycotoxins and Their Producing Fungi during the Maize Production Cycle in Spain. Microorganisms. 2020; 8 (1):141.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta García-Díaz; Jéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; María Nieves Botia; Belén Patiño. 2020. "A Comprehensive Study on the Occurrence of Mycotoxins and Their Producing Fungi during the Maize Production Cycle in Spain." Microorganisms 8, no. 1: 141.
Aflatoxin (AF) contamination of maize is a major concern for food safety. The use of chemical fungicides is controversial, and it is necessary to develop new effective methods to control Aspergillus flavus growth and, therefore, to avoid the presence of AFs in grains. In this work, we tested in vitro the effect of six essential oils (EOs) extracted from aromatic plants. We selected those from Satureja montana and Origanum virens because they show high levels of antifungal and antitoxigenic activity at low concentrations against A. flavus. EOs are highly volatile compounds and we have developed a new niosome-based encapsulation method to extend their shelf life and activity. These new formulations have been successfully applied to reduce fungal growth and AF accumulation in maize grains in a small-scale test, as well as placing the maize into polypropylene woven bags to simulate common storage conditions. In this latter case, the antifungal properties lasted up to 75 days after the first application.
Marta García-Díaz; Belén Patiño; Covadonga Vázquez; Jessica Gil-Serna; García- Díaz; Gil- Serna. A Novel Niosome-Encapsulated Essential Oil Formulation to Prevent Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize Grains During Storage. Toxins 2019, 11, 646 .
AMA StyleMarta García-Díaz, Belén Patiño, Covadonga Vázquez, Jessica Gil-Serna, García- Díaz, Gil- Serna. A Novel Niosome-Encapsulated Essential Oil Formulation to Prevent Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize Grains During Storage. Toxins. 2019; 11 (11):646.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta García-Díaz; Belén Patiño; Covadonga Vázquez; Jessica Gil-Serna; García- Díaz; Gil- Serna. 2019. "A Novel Niosome-Encapsulated Essential Oil Formulation to Prevent Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize Grains During Storage." Toxins 11, no. 11: 646.
Mycotoxins are a significant food safety concern. Aflatoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins, and ochratoxin A are considered the most important mycotoxins due to their frequent occurrence in food products and their well-known toxicity. The regulation of mycotoxin biosynthesis occurs mainly at transcriptional level, and specific regulators have been described in every biosynthetic cluster. Secondary metabolite production, including mycotoxin synthesis, is also regulated by general regulator pathways affected by light, osmotic stress and oxidative stress, among others. This review is focused on this genetic regulation of mycotoxin biosynthesis by specific genes and global regulators.
Jéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. Genetic regulation of aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, trichothecene, and fumonisin biosynthesis: A review. International Microbiology 2019, 23, 89 -96.
AMA StyleJéssica Gil-Serna, Covadonga Vázquez, Belén Patiño. Genetic regulation of aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, trichothecene, and fumonisin biosynthesis: A review. International Microbiology. 2019; 23 (1):89-96.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJéssica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. 2019. "Genetic regulation of aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, trichothecene, and fumonisin biosynthesis: A review." International Microbiology 23, no. 1: 89-96.
The Aspergillus niger aggregate contains 15 morphologically indistinguishable species which presence is related to ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) contamination of foodstuffs. The taxonomy of this group was recently reevaluated and there is a need of new studies regarding the risk that these species might pose to food security. 258 isolates of A. niger aggregate obtained from a variety of products from Spain were classified by molecular methods being A. tubingensis the most frequently occurring (67.5%) followed by A. welwitschiae (19.4%) and A. niger (11.7%). Their potential ability to produce mycotoxins was evaluated by PCR protocols which allow a rapid detection of OTA and FB2 biosynthetic genes in their genomes. OTA production is not widespread in A. niger aggregate since only 17% of A. niger and 6% of A. welwitschiae isolates presented the complete biosynthetic cluster whereas the lack of the cluster was confirmed in all A. tubingensis isolates. On the other hand, A. niger and A. welwitschiae seem to be important FB2 producers with 97% and 29% of the isolates, respectively, presenting the complete cluster. The genes involved in OTA and FB2 were overexpressed in producing isolates and their expression was related to mycotoxin synthesis.
Jéssica Gil-Serna; Marta García-Díaz; Covadonga Vázquez; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. Significance of Aspergillus niger aggregate species as contaminants of food products in Spain regarding their occurrence and their ability to produce mycotoxins. Food Microbiology 2019, 82, 240 -248.
AMA StyleJéssica Gil-Serna, Marta García-Díaz, Covadonga Vázquez, María Teresa González-Jaén, Belén Patiño. Significance of Aspergillus niger aggregate species as contaminants of food products in Spain regarding their occurrence and their ability to produce mycotoxins. Food Microbiology. 2019; 82 ():240-248.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJéssica Gil-Serna; Marta García-Díaz; Covadonga Vázquez; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. 2019. "Significance of Aspergillus niger aggregate species as contaminants of food products in Spain regarding their occurrence and their ability to produce mycotoxins." Food Microbiology 82, no. : 240-248.
The Small World Initiative (SWI) is a consolidated and successful education program rooted in the USA that tackles the antibiotic crisis by a crowdsourcing strategy. Based on active learning, it challenges young students to discover novel bioactive-producing microorganisms form environmental soil samples. Besides its pedagogical efficiency to impart Microbiology contents in academic curricula, SWI promotes vocations on research and development in Experimental Sciences and, at the same time, disseminates the antibiotic awareness guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). We have adapted the SWI program to the Spanish academic environment by a pioneering hierarchic strategy based on service-learning that involves two education levels (higher education and high school) with different degrees of responsibility. Along the academic year, 23 SWI teams each consisting of 3-7 undergraduate students led by one faculty member have coordinated off-campus programs in 22 local high schools, involving 597 secondary/high school students as researchers. Post-survey-based evaluation of the program reveals a satisfactory achievement of goals: acquiring scientific abilities and general or personal competencies by university students, as well as promoting academic decisions to inspire vocations for science- and technology-oriented degrees in younger students, and successfully communicating scientific culture in antimicrobial resistance to a young stratum of society.
María José Valderrama; Elvira Román González; Pilar Calvo De Pablo; Rosalía Díez-Orejas; Teresa Fernández-Acero; Jessica Gil-Serna; Lucía De Juan; Humberto Martín; María Molina; Federico Navarro-García; Belén Patiño; Jesús Pla; Antonio Daniel Prieto; Carmina Rodríguez; Elvira Román; Ana Belén Sanz; María Isabel De Silóniz; Mónica Suárez; Covadonga Vázquez; Víctor J Cid. Educating in antimicrobial resistance awareness: adaptation of the Small World Initiative program to service-learning. FEMS Microbiology Letters 2018, 365, 1 .
AMA StyleMaría José Valderrama, Elvira Román González, Pilar Calvo De Pablo, Rosalía Díez-Orejas, Teresa Fernández-Acero, Jessica Gil-Serna, Lucía De Juan, Humberto Martín, María Molina, Federico Navarro-García, Belén Patiño, Jesús Pla, Antonio Daniel Prieto, Carmina Rodríguez, Elvira Román, Ana Belén Sanz, María Isabel De Silóniz, Mónica Suárez, Covadonga Vázquez, Víctor J Cid. Educating in antimicrobial resistance awareness: adaptation of the Small World Initiative program to service-learning. FEMS Microbiology Letters. 2018; 365 (17):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría José Valderrama; Elvira Román González; Pilar Calvo De Pablo; Rosalía Díez-Orejas; Teresa Fernández-Acero; Jessica Gil-Serna; Lucía De Juan; Humberto Martín; María Molina; Federico Navarro-García; Belén Patiño; Jesús Pla; Antonio Daniel Prieto; Carmina Rodríguez; Elvira Román; Ana Belén Sanz; María Isabel De Silóniz; Mónica Suárez; Covadonga Vázquez; Víctor J Cid. 2018. "Educating in antimicrobial resistance awareness: adaptation of the Small World Initiative program to service-learning." FEMS Microbiology Letters 365, no. 17: 1.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most important mycotoxins due to its toxic properties and worldwide distribution which is produced by several Aspergillus and Penicillium species. The knowledge of OTA biosynthetic genes and understanding of the mechanisms involved in their regulation are essential. In this work, we obtained a clear picture of biosynthetic genes organization in the main OTA-producing Aspergillus and Penicillium species (A. steynii, A. westerdijkiae, A. niger, A. carbonarius and P. nordicum) using complete genome sequences obtained in this work or previously available on databases. The results revealed a region containing five ORFs which predicted five proteins: halogenase, bZIP transcription factor, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase in all the five species. Genetic synteny was conserved in both Penicillium and Aspergillus species although genomic location seemed to be different since the clusters presented different flanking regions (except for A. steynii and A. westerdijkiae); these observations support the hypothesis of the orthology of this genomic region and that it might have been acquired by horizontal transfer. New real-time RT-PCR assays for quantification of the expression of these OTA biosynthetic genes were developed. In all species, the five genes were consistently expressed in OTA-producing strains in permissive conditions. These protocols might favour futures studies on the regulation of biosynthetic genes in order to develop new efficient control methods to avoid OTA entering the food chain.
Jessica Gil-Serna; Marta García-Díaz; María Teresa González-Jaén; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. Description of an orthologous cluster of ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus and Penicillium species. A comparative analysis. International Journal of Food Microbiology 2018, 268, 35 -43.
AMA StyleJessica Gil-Serna, Marta García-Díaz, María Teresa González-Jaén, Covadonga Vázquez, Belén Patiño. Description of an orthologous cluster of ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus and Penicillium species. A comparative analysis. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 2018; 268 ():35-43.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJessica Gil-Serna; Marta García-Díaz; María Teresa González-Jaén; Covadonga Vázquez; Belén Patiño. 2018. "Description of an orthologous cluster of ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus and Penicillium species. A comparative analysis." International Journal of Food Microbiology 268, no. : 35-43.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is the main mycotoxin occurring in wine. This review article is focused on the distribution of this toxin and its producing-fungi in grape berries, as well as on the fate of OTA during winemaking procedures. Due to its toxic properties, OTA levels in wine are regulated in different countries; therefore, it is necessary to apply control and detoxification methods that are also discussed in this revision.
Jessica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. Wine Contamination with Ochratoxins: A Review. Beverages 2018, 4, 6 .
AMA StyleJessica Gil-Serna, Covadonga Vázquez, María Teresa González-Jaén, Belén Patiño. Wine Contamination with Ochratoxins: A Review. Beverages. 2018; 4 (1):6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJessica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. 2018. "Wine Contamination with Ochratoxins: A Review." Beverages 4, no. 1: 6.
The determination of aflatoxin production ability and differentiation of aflatoxigenic strains can be assessed by monitoring the expression of one or several key genes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We herein describe the methods for RNA induction, extraction, and quality determination, and the RT-PCR conditions used to evaluate the ability of a given Aspergillus strain to produce aflatoxins.
Paula Rodrigues; Jéssica Gil-Serna; M. Teresa González-Jaén. Evaluating Aflatoxin Gene Expression in Aspergillus Section Flavi. Advanced Structural Safety Studies 2016, 1542, 237 -247.
AMA StylePaula Rodrigues, Jéssica Gil-Serna, M. Teresa González-Jaén. Evaluating Aflatoxin Gene Expression in Aspergillus Section Flavi. Advanced Structural Safety Studies. 2016; 1542 ():237-247.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaula Rodrigues; Jéssica Gil-Serna; M. Teresa González-Jaén. 2016. "Evaluating Aflatoxin Gene Expression in Aspergillus Section Flavi." Advanced Structural Safety Studies 1542, no. : 237-247.
Fumonisins are important mycotoxins contaminating foods and feeds which are mainly produced by F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum. Additionally, both are pathogens of maize and other cereals. We describe two highly sensitive, rapid, and species-specific PCR protocols which enable detection and discrimination of these closely related species in cereal flour or grain samples. The specific primer pairs of these assays were based on the intergenic spacer region of the multicopy rDNA unit which highly improves the sensitivity of the PCR assay in comparison with single-copy target regions.
Jéssica Gil-Serna; Belén Patiño; Miguel Jurado; Salvador Mirete; Covadonga Vázquez; M. Teresa González-Jaén. Targeting Conserved Genes in Fusarium Species. Methods in Molecular Biology 2016, 1542, 141 -147.
AMA StyleJéssica Gil-Serna, Belén Patiño, Miguel Jurado, Salvador Mirete, Covadonga Vázquez, M. Teresa González-Jaén. Targeting Conserved Genes in Fusarium Species. Methods in Molecular Biology. 2016; 1542 ():141-147.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJéssica Gil-Serna; Belén Patiño; Miguel Jurado; Salvador Mirete; Covadonga Vázquez; M. Teresa González-Jaén. 2016. "Targeting Conserved Genes in Fusarium Species." Methods in Molecular Biology 1542, no. : 141-147.
Online social networks are increasingly used by the population on a daily basis. They are considered a powerful tool for science communication and their potential as educational tools is emerging. However, their usefulness in academic practice is still a matter of debate. Here, we present the results of our pioneering experience teaching a full Basic Microbiology course via Twitter (#microMOOCSEM), consisting of 28 lessons of 40-45 minutes duration each, at a tweet per minute rate during 10 weeks. Lessons were prepared by 30 different lecturers, covering most basic areas in Microbiology and some monographic topics of general interest (malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, etc.). Data analysis on the impact and acceptance of the course were largely affirmative, promoting a 330% enhancement in the followers and a >350-fold increase of the number of visits per month to the Twitter account of the host institution, the Spanish Society for Microbiology. Almost one third of the course followers were located overseas. Our study indicates that Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) via Twitter are highly dynamic, interactive, and accessible to great audiences, providing a valuable tool for social learning and communicating science. This strategy attracts the interest of students towards particular topics in the field, efficiently complementing customary academic activities, especially in multidisciplinary areas like Microbiology.
Ignacio López-Goñi; Ma José Martínez-Viñas; Josefa Anton; Víctor J. Cid; Ana Martín González; Maryury Brown-Jaque; Juan M. García-Lobo; Manuel Sánchez; Juan Ignacio Vilchez; Tatiana Robledo-Mahón; Marina Seder-Colomina; Silvana Teresa Tapia-Paniagua; Alma Hernández de Rojas; Alejandro Mira; José Jesús Gallego-Parrilla; Teresa María López Díaz; Sergi Maicas i Prieto; Eduardo Villalobo; Guillermo Quindós; Sabela Balboa; Jesús L. Romalde; Clara Aguilar-Pérez; Anna Tomás; Maria Linares; Óscar Zaragoza; Jéssica Gil-Serna; Raquel Ferrer-Espada; Ana I. Camacho; Laura Vinué; Jorge Garcia-Lara. Twitter as a Tool for Teaching and Communicating Microbiology: The #microMOOCSEM Initiative. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education 2016, 17, 492 -494.
AMA StyleIgnacio López-Goñi, Ma José Martínez-Viñas, Josefa Anton, Víctor J. Cid, Ana Martín González, Maryury Brown-Jaque, Juan M. García-Lobo, Manuel Sánchez, Juan Ignacio Vilchez, Tatiana Robledo-Mahón, Marina Seder-Colomina, Silvana Teresa Tapia-Paniagua, Alma Hernández de Rojas, Alejandro Mira, José Jesús Gallego-Parrilla, Teresa María López Díaz, Sergi Maicas i Prieto, Eduardo Villalobo, Guillermo Quindós, Sabela Balboa, Jesús L. Romalde, Clara Aguilar-Pérez, Anna Tomás, Maria Linares, Óscar Zaragoza, Jéssica Gil-Serna, Raquel Ferrer-Espada, Ana I. Camacho, Laura Vinué, Jorge Garcia-Lara. Twitter as a Tool for Teaching and Communicating Microbiology: The #microMOOCSEM Initiative. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 2016; 17 (3):492-494.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIgnacio López-Goñi; Ma José Martínez-Viñas; Josefa Anton; Víctor J. Cid; Ana Martín González; Maryury Brown-Jaque; Juan M. García-Lobo; Manuel Sánchez; Juan Ignacio Vilchez; Tatiana Robledo-Mahón; Marina Seder-Colomina; Silvana Teresa Tapia-Paniagua; Alma Hernández de Rojas; Alejandro Mira; José Jesús Gallego-Parrilla; Teresa María López Díaz; Sergi Maicas i Prieto; Eduardo Villalobo; Guillermo Quindós; Sabela Balboa; Jesús L. Romalde; Clara Aguilar-Pérez; Anna Tomás; Maria Linares; Óscar Zaragoza; Jéssica Gil-Serna; Raquel Ferrer-Espada; Ana I. Camacho; Laura Vinué; Jorge Garcia-Lara. 2016. "Twitter as a Tool for Teaching and Communicating Microbiology: The #microMOOCSEM Initiative." Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education 17, no. 3: 492-494.
The most serious aerial disease of garlic is leaf blight caused by Stemphylium spp. Geographical variation in the causal agent of this disease is indicated. Stemphylium vesicarium has been reported in Spain, whereas S. solani is the most prevalent species recorded in China. In this study, Stemphylium isolates were obtained from symptomatic garlic plants sampled from the main Spanish production areas. Sequence data for the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region enabled assignation of the isolates to the Pleospora herbarum complex and clearly distinguished the isolates from S. solani. Conidial morphology of the isolates corresponded to that of S. vesicarium and clearly discriminated them from S. alfalfae and S. herbarum on the basis of the size and septation pattern of mature conidia. Conidial morphology as well as conidial length, width and length:width ratio also allowed the Spanish isolates to be distinguished from S. botryosum and S. herbarum. Control of leaf blight of garlic is not well established. Few studies are available regarding the effectiveness of chemical treatments to reduce Stemphylium spp. incidence on garlic. The effectiveness of nine fungicides of different chemical groups to reduce Stemphylium mycelial growth in vitro was tested. Boscalid + pyraclostrobin (group name, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors + quinone outside inhibitors), iprodione (dicar-boximide), and prochloraz (demethylation inhibitors) were highly effective at reducing mycelial growth in S. vesicarium with EC50 values less than 5 ppm. In general, the effectiveness of the fungicide was enhanced with increasing dosage.
Laura Galvez; Jessica Gil-Serna; Marta Garcia; Concepcion Iglesias; Daniel Palmero. Stemphylium Leaf Blight of Garlic (Allium sativum) in Spain: Taxonomy and In Vitro Fungicide Response. The Plant Pathology Journal 2016, 32, 388 -395.
AMA StyleLaura Galvez, Jessica Gil-Serna, Marta Garcia, Concepcion Iglesias, Daniel Palmero. Stemphylium Leaf Blight of Garlic (Allium sativum) in Spain: Taxonomy and In Vitro Fungicide Response. The Plant Pathology Journal. 2016; 32 (5):388-395.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLaura Galvez; Jessica Gil-Serna; Marta Garcia; Concepcion Iglesias; Daniel Palmero. 2016. "Stemphylium Leaf Blight of Garlic (Allium sativum) in Spain: Taxonomy and In Vitro Fungicide Response." The Plant Pathology Journal 32, no. 5: 388-395.
Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg is one of the most important Fusarium species considering its worldwide distribution, its pathogenic ability in a wide range of crops, and its mycotoxigenic potential. F. proliferatum conidia are easily carried by rainwater and, in this work, five isolates from rainwater were evaluated as inoculum sources to produce garlic rot and their pathogenic ability were compared with six F. proliferatum isolates from diseased garlic. A phylogenetic analysis was also performed to unravel possible genetic differences among the isolates. Pathogenicity tests were performed in three garlic varieties (purple, white and purple Chinese) and the results revealed that the isolates from rainwater were pathogenic to each of them. However, in all cases, their pathogenic ability was lower than in the case of isolates obtained from rooted garlic. The phylogenetic analysis based on parsimony carried out with the hypervariable region of the intergenic transcribed spacer (IGS) in F. proliferatum showed genetic differences depending on the origin of the isolates. Isolates from rainwater were definitely separated in an independent branch from garlic isolates. This paper shows an interesting approach to the ecological significance of F. proliferatum as a fungal pathogen on garlic. Some degree of relation between genetic variability and pathogenicity was also demonstrated.
Jéssica Gil-Serna; Laura Gálvez; María París; Daniel Palmero. Fusarium proliferatum from rainwater and rooted garlic show genetic and pathogenicity differences. European Journal of Plant Pathology 2016, 146, 199 -206.
AMA StyleJéssica Gil-Serna, Laura Gálvez, María París, Daniel Palmero. Fusarium proliferatum from rainwater and rooted garlic show genetic and pathogenicity differences. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 2016; 146 (1):199-206.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJéssica Gil-Serna; Laura Gálvez; María París; Daniel Palmero. 2016. "Fusarium proliferatum from rainwater and rooted garlic show genetic and pathogenicity differences." European Journal of Plant Pathology 146, no. 1: 199-206.
Aspergillus steynii is probably the most relevant species of section Circumdati producing ochratoxin A (OTA). This\ud mycotoxin contaminates a wide number of commodities and it is highly toxic for humans and animals. Little is known on the biosynthetic genes and their regulation in Aspergillus species. In this work, we identified and analysed three contiguous genes in A. steynii using 5′-RACE and genome walking approaches which predicted a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (p450ste), a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (nrpsste) and a polyketide synthase (pksste). These three genes were contiguous within a 20742 bp long genomic DNA fragment. Their corresponding cDNA were sequenced and their expression was analysed in three A. steynii strains using real time RT-PCR specific assays in permissive conditions in in vitro cultures. OTA was also analysed in these cultures. Comparative analyses of predicted genomic, cDNA and amino acid sequences were performed with sequences of similar gene functions. All the results obtained in these analyseswere consistent and point out the involvement of these three genes in OTA biosynthesis by A. steynii and showed a co-ordinated expression pattern. This is the first time that a clustered organization OTA biosynthetic genes has been reported in Aspergillus genus. The results also suggested that this situation might be common in Aspergillus OTA-producing species and distinct to the one described for Penicillium species
Jessica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. Clustered array of ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus steynii and their expression patterns in permissive conditions. International Journal of Food Microbiology 2015, 214, 102 -108.
AMA StyleJessica Gil-Serna, Covadonga Vázquez, María Teresa González-Jaén, Belén Patiño. Clustered array of ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus steynii and their expression patterns in permissive conditions. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 2015; 214 ():102-108.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJessica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. 2015. "Clustered array of ochratoxin A biosynthetic genes in Aspergillus steynii and their expression patterns in permissive conditions." International Journal of Food Microbiology 214, no. : 102-108.
L. Gálvez; Jéssica Gil-Serna; M. García-Díaz; Daniel Palmero. First Report of a Garlic Bulb Rot Caused by Erwinia persicina in Europe. Plant Disease 2015, 99, 723 .
AMA StyleL. Gálvez, Jéssica Gil-Serna, M. García-Díaz, Daniel Palmero. First Report of a Garlic Bulb Rot Caused by Erwinia persicina in Europe. Plant Disease. 2015; 99 (5):723.
Chicago/Turabian StyleL. Gálvez; Jéssica Gil-Serna; M. García-Díaz; Daniel Palmero. 2015. "First Report of a Garlic Bulb Rot Caused by Erwinia persicina in Europe." Plant Disease 99, no. 5: 723.
Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae are the main ochratoxin A (OTA) producing species of Aspergillus section Circumdati. Due to its recent description, few data are available about the influence of ecophysiological factors on their growth and OTA production profiles. In this work, the effect of temperature (20, 24 and 28 °C) and water activity (aw) (0.928, 0.964 and 0.995) on growth, sporulation and OTA production by these fungi was examined in CYA and media prepared from paprika, green coffee, anise, grapes, maize and barley. Growth was positively affected by the highest temperature and aw values indicating that both species might be expected in warm climates or storage conditions. However, optimal growth conditions showed differences depending on the medium. OTA production was markedly affected by substrate and showed qualitative and quantitative differences. Both species, especially A. steynii, represent a great potential risk of OTA contamination due to their high production in a variety of conditions and substrates, in particular in barley and paprika-based media. Additionally, neither growth nor sporulation did result good indicators of OTA production by A. steynii or A. westerdijkiae; therefore, specific and highly-sensitive detection methods become essential tools for control strategies to reduce OTA risk by these species.
Jessica Gil-Serna; Belén Patiño; Laura Cortes; Maria Teresa Gonzalez-Jaen; Covadonga Vazquez. Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae as potential risk of OTA contamination in food products in warm climates. Food Microbiology 2015, 46, 168 -175.
AMA StyleJessica Gil-Serna, Belén Patiño, Laura Cortes, Maria Teresa Gonzalez-Jaen, Covadonga Vazquez. Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae as potential risk of OTA contamination in food products in warm climates. Food Microbiology. 2015; 46 ():168-175.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJessica Gil-Serna; Belén Patiño; Laura Cortes; Maria Teresa Gonzalez-Jaen; Covadonga Vazquez. 2015. "Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae as potential risk of OTA contamination in food products in warm climates." Food Microbiology 46, no. : 168-175.
Fourteen vineyards from two different agro-climatic regions in Spain were sampled in two consecutive years in order to determinate the grape mycobiota and diversity indexes with the final aim to define the potential mycotoxigenic species from both regions and their relationship. The most common fungal genera encountered were Aspergillus (30.0%), Alternaria (53.2%), Cladosporium (11.9%) and Penicillium (2.9%). Black aspergilli presence in the hotter region (south) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the northeast in both years. Among black aspergilli, A. tubingensis seemed to be the better adapted species to environmental conditions, while A. carbonarius was the main potentially ochratoxigenic species in both regions and years, owing to the most relevant percentage of ochratoxigenic isolates. Ochratoxin A (OTA)-positive musts were only detected from southern vineyards, although contamination was always lower than 0.1 µg L(-1) . Finally, none of black aspergilli tested produced fumonisins (FBs) on Czapek yeast extract agar (CYA), while 63% of A. niger tested produced FB2 when inoculated on CYA20S, reaching 100% of isolates from the south. Climate change scenarios in southern Europe point to an increase in temperature and drought. This could promote particularly adapted species such as A. niger, decreasing OTA risk, but this could lead to an increase in FB2 presence.
Esther García-Cela; Ana Crespo-Sempere; Jessica Gil-Serna; Aleix Porqueres; Sonia Marin. Fungal diversity, incidence and mycotoxin contamination in grapes from two agro-climatic Spanish regions with emphasis onAspergillusspecies. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2014, 95, 1716 -1729.
AMA StyleEsther García-Cela, Ana Crespo-Sempere, Jessica Gil-Serna, Aleix Porqueres, Sonia Marin. Fungal diversity, incidence and mycotoxin contamination in grapes from two agro-climatic Spanish regions with emphasis onAspergillusspecies. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2014; 95 (8):1716-1729.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsther García-Cela; Ana Crespo-Sempere; Jessica Gil-Serna; Aleix Porqueres; Sonia Marin. 2014. "Fungal diversity, incidence and mycotoxin contamination in grapes from two agro-climatic Spanish regions with emphasis onAspergillusspecies." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 95, no. 8: 1716-1729.
Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae are important ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing species frequently found in coffee. Although the processing of green coffee beans reduces markedly OTA contamination, levels exceeding the legal limitsmight remain in the final product. Environmental conditions are a crucial factor affecting growth and OTA production in fungal species; therefore, in thiswork,we analysed the effect of different levels of temperature (23, 28, 32, 37, 42 °C) andwater activity (aw) (0.89, 0.91, 0.93, 0.95, 0.97, 0.99) on growth and toxin production by A. steynii and A. westerdijkiae in green coffee-based medium. A. steynii was able to grow and produce OTA in a wider set of conditions than A. westerdijkiae. A new index (OTA risk index) has been described to integrate both fungal growth and OTA production and, according to it, A. steynii would pose a higher risk of OTA contamination in coffee than A. westerdijkiae at all the conditions tested. Neither A. steynii nor A. westerdijkiae were able to grow at the lowest value of aw (0.89) evaluated and OTA production was extremely low at 0.91. Therefore, the application of good practices during storage aiming to maintain low humidity levelsmight be essential to prevent OTA contamination in coffee at this stage. The optimal conditions of both species to grow and produce OTA were established at warm temperatures (28–32 °C) and high aw levels. Therefore, these species could be considered well-adapted in predicted climate change scenarios resulting in a potential high risk source of OTA contamination for this product
Jessica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Fernando García Sandino; Ana Márquez Valle; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. Evaluation of growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae in green-coffee based medium under different environmental conditions. Food Research International 2014, 61, 127 -131.
AMA StyleJessica Gil-Serna, Covadonga Vázquez, Fernando García Sandino, Ana Márquez Valle, María Teresa González-Jaén, Belén Patiño. Evaluation of growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae in green-coffee based medium under different environmental conditions. Food Research International. 2014; 61 ():127-131.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJessica Gil-Serna; Covadonga Vázquez; Fernando García Sandino; Ana Márquez Valle; María Teresa González-Jaén; Belén Patiño. 2014. "Evaluation of growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus steynii and Aspergillus westerdijkiae in green-coffee based medium under different environmental conditions." Food Research International 61, no. : 127-131.