Research Project: Use of Classical and Molecular Technologies for Developing Aflatoxin Resistance in Crops

Location: Food and Feed Safety Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Targeting the Aspergillus flavus p2c gene through host-induced gene silencing reduces A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in transgenic maize - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Raruang, Y., Omolehin, O., Hu, D., Wei, Q., Promyou, S., Parekattil, L.J., Rajasekaran, K., Cary, J.W., Wang, K., Chen, Z.-Y. 2023. Targeting the Aspergillus flavus p2c gene through host-induced gene silencing reduces A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination in transgenic maize. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14:1150086. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1150086.

Use of line-scan Raman hyperspectral imaging to identify corn kernels infected with Aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Rajasekaran, K., Qin, J., Kim, M.S. 2021. Use of line-scan Raman hyperspectral imaging to identify corn kernels infected with Aspergillus flavus. Journal of Cereal Science. 102:103364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2021.103364.

Identification of aflatoxin contamination in corn kernels based on near infrared hyperspectral imaging - (Abstract Only)

Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging for identification of aflatoxin contamination on corn kernels - (Proceedings)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Kincaid, R., Rajasekaran, K. 2021. Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging for identification of aflatoxin contamination on corn kernels. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 11754, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety XIII, 1175408. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2591078.

A novel hyperspectral-based approach for identification of maize kernels infected with diverse Aspergillus flavus fungi - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Kincaid, R., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2020. A novel hyperspectral-based approach for identification of maize kernels infected with diverse Aspergillus flavus fungi. Biosystems Engineering. 200:415-430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.10.017.

Raman imaging for detection of corn kernels infected with Aspergillus flavus: a preliminary study - (Proceedings)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Rajasekaran, K., Qin, J., Kim, M. 2020. Raman imaging for detection of corn kernels infected with Aspergillus flavus: a preliminary study. Proceedings of SPIE., Vol. 11421, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety XII. 1142107. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2558859.

Host induced gene silencing targeting Aspergillus flavus aflM reduced aflatoxin contamination in transgenic maize under field conditions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Raruang, Y., Omolehin, O., Hu, D., Wei, Q., Han, Z.-Q., Rajasekaran, K., Cary, J.W., Wang, K., Chen, Z.-Y. 2020. Host induced gene silencing targeting Aspergillus flavus aflM reduced aflatoxin contamination in transgenic maize under field conditions. Frontiers in Microbiology. 11:754. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00754.

LC-MS/MS assay coupled with carboxylic acid magnetic bead affinity capture to quantitatively measure cationic host defense peptides (HDPs) in complex matrices with application to preclinical pharmacokinetic studies - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
O'Neill, M.J., Chan, K., Jaynes, J.M., Knotts, Z., Xu, X., Abisoye-Ogunniyan, A., Guerin, T., Schlomer, J., Li, D., Cary, J.W., Rajasekaran, K., Yates, C., Kozlov, S., Andresson, T., Rudloff, U. 2020. LC-MS/MS assay coupled with carboxylic acid magnetic bead affinity capture to quantitatively measure cationic host defense peptides (HDPs) in complex matrices with application to preclinical pharmacokinetic studies. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 181:113093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2020.113093.

Spectral-based screening approach evaluating two specific maize lines with divergent resistance to invasion by aflatoxigenic fungi - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hruska, Z., Yao, H., Kincaid, R., Tao, F., Brown, R.L., Cleveland, T.E., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2020. Spectral-based screening approach evaluating two specific maize lines with divergent resistance to invasion by aflatoxigenic fungi. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10:3152. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.03152.

Detection of aflatoxin B1 on corn kernel surfaces using visible-near infrared spectroscopy - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Liu, Y., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2019. Detection of aflatoxin B1 on corn kernel surfaces using visible-near infrared spectroscopy. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy. 28(2):59-69. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967033519895686.

Basic characterization of plant actin depolymerizing factors: a simplified, streamlined guide - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sengupta, S., Rajasekaran, K., Baisakh, N. 2019. Basic characterization of plant actin depolymerizing factors: a simplified, streamlined guide. Protocol Exchange. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.2.16466/v2.

Contribution of maize polyamine and amino acid metabolism toward resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin production - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Majumdar, R., Minocha, R., Lebar, M.D., Rajasekaran, K., Long, S., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Minocha, S., Cary, J.W. 2019. Contribution of maize polyamine and amino acid metabolism toward resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin production. Frontiers in Plant Science. 10:692. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00692.

Potential of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging in discriminating corn kernels infected with aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus - (Proceedings)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Kincaid, R., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2019. Potential of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging in discriminating corn kernels infected with aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 11016, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety XI, 1101603. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2521654.

A rapid and nondestructive method for simultaneous determination of aflatoxigenic fungus and aflatoxin contamination on corn kernels - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Zhu, F., Hruska, Z., Liu, Y., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2019. A rapid and nondestructive method for simultaneous determination of aflatoxigenic fungus and aflatoxin contamination on corn kernels. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 67:5230-5239. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.9b01044.

Targeting polyamine metabolism for control of fungal pathogenesis and increasing host resistance during the maize-Aspergillus flavus interaction - (Abstract Only)

Host-induced silencing of Aspergillus flavus genes to control preharvest aflatoxin contamination in maize - (Abstract Only)

Development of high-speed dual-camera system for batch screening of aflatoxin contamination of corn using multispectral fluorescence imaging - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Han, D., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Kincaid, R., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2019. Development of high-speed dual-camera system for batch screening of aflatoxin contamination of corn using multispectral fluorescence imaging. Transactions of the ASABE. 62(2):381-391. https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13125.

Use of visible-near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy to detect aflatoxin B1 on peanut kernels - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Liu, Y., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2019. Use of visible-near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy to detect aflatoxin B1 on peanut kernels. Applied Spectroscopy. 73(4):415-423. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003702819829725.

RNA-seq Analysis of Aspergillus flavus during infection of resistant and susceptible cultivars of maize reveals gene networks correlating with host resistance - (Abstract Only)

Contribution of maize polyamine and amino acid metabolism towards resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin production - (Abstract Only)

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in transgenic maize expresing the a-amylase inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rajasekaran, K., Sayler, R.J., Majumdar, R., Sickler, C.M., Cary, J.W. 2019. Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in transgenic maize expresing the a-amylase inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 144:e59169. https://doi.org/10.3791/59169.

Mode of action of the antimicrobial peptide D4E1 on Aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, J., Rajasekaran, K., Cary, J.W., Chlan, C. 2018. Mode of action of the antimicrobial peptide D4E1 on Aspergillus flavus. International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics. 25(3):1135-1145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10989-018-9762-1.

Feasibility of using visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy to detect aflatoxigenic fungus and aflatoxin contamination on corn kernels - (Proceedings)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Zhu, F., Hruska, Z., Liu, Y., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2018. Feasibility of using visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy to detect aflatoxigenic fungus and aflatoxin contamination on corn kernels. Proceedings of the 2018 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting. Paper No. 1801006. https://doi.org/10.13031/aim.201801006.

Natural and targeted isovariants of the rice actin depolymerizing factor 2 can alter its functional and regulatory binding properties - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sengupta, S., Rajasekaran, K., Baisakh, N. 2018. Natural and targeted isovariants of the rice actin depolymerizing factor 2 can alter its functional and regulatory binding properties. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 503:1516-1523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.07.073.

An actin-depolymerizing factor from the halophyte smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora (SaADF2), is superior to its rice homolog (OsADF2) in conferring drought and salt tolerance when constitutively overexpressed in rice - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sengupta, S., Mangu, V., Sanchez, L., Bedre, R., Joshi, R., Rajasekaran, K., Baisakh, N. 2018. An actin-depolymerizing factor from the halophyte smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora (SaADF2), is superior to its rice homolog (OsADF2) in conferring drought and salt tolerance when constitutively overexpressed in rice. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 17(1):188-205. https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.12957.

Rapid and non-destructive detection of aflatoxin contamination of peanut kernels using visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy - (Proceedings)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Liu, Y., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2018. Rapid and non-destructive detection of aflatoxin contamination of peanut kernels using visible/near-infrared (Vis/NIR) spectroscopy. Proceedings of SPIE, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety X. Paper No. 106650K. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2304399.

Development of high speed dual-camera system for batch screening of aflatoxin contamination of corn using multispectral fluorescence imaging - (Proceedings)
Han, D., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Kincaid, R., Ramezanpour, C., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2018. Development of high speed dual-camera system for batch screening of aflatoxin contamination of corn using multispectral fluorescence imaging. Proceedings of SPIE, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety X. Paper No. 106650J. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2305148.

Identification of candidate resistance genes of cotton against Aspergillus flavus infection using a comparative transcriptomics approach - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Mehanathan, M., Bedre, R., Mangu, V., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D., Baisakh, N. 2018. Identification of candidate resistance genes of cotton against Aspergillus flavus infection using a comparative transcriptomics approach. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants. 24(3):513–519. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-018-0522-7.

Control of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in transgenic maize kernels expressing a tachyplesin-derived synthetic peptide, AGM182 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rajasekaran, K., Sayler, R.J., Sickler, C.M., Majumdar, R., Jaynes, J.M., Cary, J.W. 2018. Control of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in transgenic maize kernels expressing a tachyplesin-derived synthetic peptide, AGM182. Plant Science. 270:150-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.02.006.

Advances in molecular and genomic research to safeguard food and feed supply from aflatoxin contamination - (Review Article)
Bhatnagar, D., Rajasekaran, K., Gilbert, M.K., Cary, J.W., Magan, N. 2018. Advances in molecular and genomic research to safeguard food and feed supply from aflatoxin contamination. World Mycotoxin Journal. 11(1):47-72. https://doi.org/10.3920/WMJ2017.2283.

Recent development of optical methods in rapid and non-destructive detection of aflatoxin and fungal contamination in agricultural products - (Review Article)
Tao, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Burger, L.W., Rajasekaran, K., Bhatnagar, D. 2018. Recent development of optical methods in rapid and non-destructive detection of aflatoxin and fungal contamination in agricultural products. Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 100:65-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2017.12.017.

The Aspergillus flavus homeobox gene, hbx1, is required for development and aflatoxin production - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cary, J.W., Harris-Coward, P.Y., Scharfenstein, L.L., Mack, B.M., Chang, P.-K., Wei, Q., Lebar, M.D., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Majumdar, R., Mitra, C., Banerjee, S., Chanda, A. 2017. The Aspergillus flavus homeobox gene, hbx1, is required for development and aflatoxin production. Toxins. 9(10):315. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins9100315.

Peanuts that keep aflatoxin at bay: a threshold that matters - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sharma, K.K., Pothana, A., Prasad, K., Shah, D., Kaur, J., Bhatnagar, D., Chen, Z.-Y., Raruang, Y., Cary, J.W., Rajasekaran, K., Sudini, H.K., Bhatnagar-Mathur, P. 2018. Peanuts that keep aflatoxin at bay: a threshold that matters. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 16:1024-1033.

The pathogenesis-related maize seed (PRms) gene plays a role in resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Majumdar, R., Rajasekaran, K., Sickler, C.M., Lebar, M.D., Musungu, B.M., Fakhoury, A.M., Payne, G.A., Geisler, M., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Wei, Q., Bhatnagar, D., Cary, J.W. 2017. The pathogenesis-related maize seed (PRms) gene plays a role in resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination. Frontiers in Plant Science. 8:1758. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01758.

Recent developments and applications of hyperspectral imaging for rapid detection of mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic fungi in food products - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Xing, F., Yao, H., Liu, Y., Dai, X., Brown, R.L., Bhatnagar, D. 2017. Recent developments and applications of hyperspectral imaging for rapid detection of mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic fungi in food products. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 59(1):173-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2017.1363709.

Temporal effects on internal fluorescence emissions associated with aflatoxin contamination from corn kernel cross-sections inoculated with toxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hruska, Z., Yao, H., Kincaid, R., Brown, R.L., Bhatnagar, D., Cleveland, T.E. 2017. Temporal effects on internal fluorescence emissions associated with aflatoxin contamination from corn kernel cross-sections inoculated with toxigenic and atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus. Frontiers in Microbiology. 8:1718. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01718.

Identification of resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection in cotton germplasm - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Moore, J., Rajasekaran, K., Cary, J.W., Chlan, C. 2017. Identification of resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection in cotton germplasm. Journal of Crop Improvement. 31(5):727-741. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2017.1353564.

Fidelity of a simple Liberty leaf-painting assay to validate transgenic maize plants expressing the selectable marker gene, bar - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rajasekaran, K., Majumdar, R., Sickler, C., Wei, Q., Cary, J.W., Bhatnagar, D. 2017. Fidelity of a simple Liberty leaf-painting assay to validate transgenic maize plants expressing the selectable marker gene, bar. Journal of Crop Improvement. 31(4):628-636. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2017.1327913.

Detecting peanuts inoculated with toxigenic and atoxienic Aspergillus flavus strains with fluorescence hyperspectral imagery - (Proceedings)
Xing, F., Yao, H., Hruska, Z., Kincaid, R., Zhu, F., Brown, R.L., Bhatnagar, D., Liu, Y. 2017. Detecting peanuts inoculated with toxigenic and atoxienic Aspergillus flavus strains with fluorescence hyperspectral imagery. In: Proceedings of SPIE 10217, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety IX, April 11-15, 2017, Anaheim, CA. 10217:1021701-1021708. doi: 10.1117/12.2262801.

RNA interference (RNAi) as a potential tool for control of mycotoxin contamination in crop plants: concepts and considerations - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Majumdar, R., Rajasekaran, K., Cary, J.W. 2017. RNA interference (RNAi) as a potential tool for control of mycotoxin contamination in crop plants: concepts and considerations. Frontiers in Plant Science. 8:200. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00200.

Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production as influenced by total lipid content during growth and development of cottonseed - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rajasekaran, K., Ford, G., Sethumadhavan, K., Carter Wientjes, C., Bland, J., Cao, H., Bhatnagar, D. 2016. Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production as influenced by total lipid content during growth and development of cottonseed. Journal of Crop Improvement. 31(1):91-99. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2016.1263811.