Molecular identification of potentialy mycotoxigenic black Aspergili contaminating pistachio nuts in Iran

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species. This mycotoxin is a common contaminant of various foods including cereal products, spices, dried fruits, coffee, beer and wine. Besides species assigned to Aspergillus section Circumdati, black Aspergilli including A. niger, A. carbonarius and A. sclerotioniger are also able to produce this mycotoxin. Black Aspergilli have been found to be the predominant fungi contaminating pistachio nuts worldwide. We examined the species distribution of black Aspergilli on Iranian pistachio nuts. Sequence-based identifications have been carried out using partial calmodulin sequence data. Our data indicate that instead of the potential ochratoxin and fumonisin producing A. niger species, A. tubingensis dominates on Iranian pistachio nuts. This species is unable to produce either of these mycotoxins, consequently do not contribute to mycotoxin contamination of pistachio nuts in Iran. Further studies are in progress to clarify the role of other Aspergilli in ochratoxin contamination of pistachio in Iran