A rapid and reliable method for the specific detection of aflatoxigenic fungi in groundnut and rice samples

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination is a serious food safety and economic concern for the agriculture and processing industry throughout the world. Aflatoxins are the most potent carcinogens; therefore, an early detection of aflatoxin‐producing fungi is essential for ensuring food safety. In the present work, a rapid and sensitive PCR method for the detection of potential aflatoxin‐producing molds in groundnut and rice samples was developed. This PCR assay can detect the aflatoxigenic fungi in the contaminated samples directly without the need of fungal enrichment. The results showed a specific PCR amplification product in aflatoxigenic fungi (Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus) contaminated groundnut and rice samples even at a low spore count. In contrast, no amplification products were observed in nonaflatoxigenic fungi (Aspergillus oryzae) contaminated samples as well as in healthy groundnut and rice samples. Quantification of aflatoxins for the validation corelated well with the amplified DNA bands for aflatoxigenic fungal samples.