Location: Food and Feed Safety Research
2021 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Touch inhibition as a mechanism of Aspergillus (A.) flavus biological control. ARS scientists in New Orleans, Louisiana, believe A. flavus biocontrol strains are good at preventing aflatoxin production by other Aspergillus strains. However, scientists still do not know the mechanism by which non-aflatoxin producing biocontrol strains inhibit aflatoxin production in A. flavus strains. One theory is that physical contact with a biocontrol strain turns off aflatoxin production. Using sophisticated molecular techniques, scientists looked at genes that are turned on in the biocontrol strain when it touches an aflatoxin producer. One gene of interest was inactivated, and this resulted in several compounds no longer being produced. Identifying these compounds will allow scientists to determine if they play a role in the mechanism of biocontrol. This knowledge will help improve biocontrol formulations leading to a safer and secure food and feed supply.
Review Publications
Moore, G.G. 2021. Practical considerations will ensure the continued success of pre-harvest biocontrol using non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1873731.
Gebru, S.T., Mammel, M.K., Gangiredla, J., Tartera, C., Cary, J.W., Moore, G.G., Sweany, R.R. 2020. Draft genome sequences of 20 Aspergillus flavus isolates from corn kernels and cornfield soils in Louisiana. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 9(38):e00826-20. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00826-20.
Moore, G.G., Lebar, M.D., Carter-Wientjes, C.H., Gilbert, M.K. 2021. The potential role of fungal volatile organic compounds in Aspergillus flavus biocontrol efficacy. Biological Control. 160:104686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104686.
