Research Keyword: Mycotoxin production

Impact of OTAbZIP on Ochratoxin A production, mycelium growth and pathogenicity of Aspergillus westerdijkiae under water activity stress

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Researchers studied how a specific gene (OTAbZIP) in a fungus called Aspergillus westerdijkiae controls the production of ochratoxin A, a poisonous substance that can contaminate food. By removing this gene, scientists found that the fungus could no longer produce the toxin, even when exposed to different moisture levels. This discovery could help prevent food contamination with this dangerous mycotoxin and protect human health.

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Fusarium Species Infecting Greenhouse-Grown Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) Plants Show Potential for Mycotoxin Production in Inoculated Inflorescences and from Natural Inoculum Sources

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This research examines dangerous fungal infections in greenhouse-grown cannabis plants. Scientists found that Fusarium fungi, which also infect grains, can infect cannabis flowers and produce harmful toxins (mycotoxins) that could harm consumers. The study identified that nearby tall fescue plants may be spreading these fungi into greenhouses. Different cannabis varieties showed different levels of toxin accumulation despite similar fungal colonization, suggesting some varieties may be naturally more resistant.

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The VelB IDD promotes selective heterodimer formation of velvet proteins for fungal development

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Fungi use special proteins called velvet factors to decide whether to make spores, form protective structures, or produce toxins. This research discovered that one velvet protein called VelB has a special flexible region that helps it choose the right partner protein to team up with. This teamwork determines what developmental path the fungus takes and what chemicals it produces, revealing a clever biological control system.

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Sweet Pepper cv. Lai Lai Ripeness Stage Influences Susceptibility to Mycotoxinogenic Alternaria alternata Causing Black Mold

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This research shows that green and red peppers can both develop black mold caused by a fungus called Alternaria alternata, but at different rates depending on temperature. Red peppers are more susceptible to severe infection at room temperature, while both types are similarly affected during cold storage. Importantly, infected peppers can produce toxins harmful to human health, emphasizing the need for preventing fungal infection in pepper crops before harvest and storage.

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Biological and Genomic Insights into Fusarium acuminatum Causing Needle Blight in Pinus tabuliformis

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Researchers identified a fungus called Fusarium acuminatum as the cause of needle blight disease affecting Chinese pine trees in northern China. They studied how this fungus grows and sequenced its entire genome to understand how it damages the trees. The findings help explain the disease and provide tools to develop better ways to protect and treat infected pine trees.

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