M.A. Moslem, A. Mashraqi, K.A. Abd-Elsalam, A.H. Bahkali and M.A. Elnagaer
Published November 23, 2010
Genet. Mol. Res. 9 (4): 2292-2299 (2010)
DOI 10.4238/vol9-4gmr943

About the AuthorsAbout the Authors
M.A. Moslem, A. Mashraqi, K.A. Abd-Elsalam, A.H. Bahkali and M.A. Elnagaer

Corresponding author:
K.A. Abd-Elsalam
E-mail: kamel200@ksu.edu.sa

ABSTRACT

Ten fungal isolates from coffee beans were morphologically identified as Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus and A. carbonarius (N = 5, 3, and 2, respectively). Only one isolate, morphologically identified as A. niger, was unable to produce ochratoxin A (OTA). This may be a new species in the Aspergillus section Nigri. OTA levels in all the other isolates were above the limit of detection (0.15 mg/kg). Based on microsatellite-primed PCR (MP-PCR) profiles, using three microsatellite primers, three main groups were obtained by UPGMA cluster analysis: A. niger, A. ochraceus and A. carbonarius. A clear-cut association was found between the MP-PCR genotype and the ability to produce OTA. Using the primer pairs OCRA1/OCRA2, a single fragment of about 400 bp was amplified only when genomic DNA from the A. ochraceus isolates was used.

Key words: Aspergillus; Ochratoxin; Coffea arabica.