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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to develop a standard providing requirements for managing the quality and competence of the biological resource centres (BRC). Design/methodology/approach The methodology for the standard setting was based on the principles of credibility, transparency, alignment and consistency. A justification study was performed to establish its objectives and scope, avoid overlap and prevent the risks in implementation. International documents providing rules for standard development were taken into consideration. Requirements were assembled from several standards and participation of interested parties was promoted. Findings No relevant international document exists covering fundamental issues for BRC operation. It is possible to develop a consistent and aligned standard, under a credible and transparent process that fits BRC purposes. Practical implications This standard will strengthen the BRC technical competence increasing its capability to provide authenticated high-quality biological materials a crucial factor for biotechnological developments in the fields of health, agriculture and environment. It will serve as a basis for the BRC compliance assessment and the launch pad for establishing the global BRC network. ; The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement No. 312251 (MIRRI ...

Capsicum products, such as chilli powder, paprika, sauces, and spice mix, have highly been consumed worldwide.In Chile, berry fruits of Capsicum annuum L. cv. "Cacho de Cabra" are used for the manufacture of a traditional pepper powder known as Merkén. Two alert notifications regarding the presence of Ochratoxin A in Merkén have been reported by the Chilean Ministry of Health. These alerts have triggered concern mainly due to the food safety of Capsicum derivative products and the health risks to which the Chilean population consumers of Merkén may be subjected. In this context, the main aim of this work was to review the critical points of mycotoxin contamination in the Capsicum production chain used for Merkén manufacture in Chile; outlining the possible causal agents of mycotoxin contamination in Merkén production chain. Current national and international legislation on mycotoxin contamination in pepper and its derivative are here discussed. Moreover, preventive and corrective measures adopted by the Chilean regulators' agencies to control mycotoxin in this spice are also discussed. ; Chilean National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) which supports the J.C. PhD grant no 21181445; Universidad de La Frontera (Temuco, Chile) with partial funding from the Project DIUFRO PIA 19-0001 lead by C.S.; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit), COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-006684) and the BioTecNorte operation ...

Purpose Culture Collections play a vital role by expertly preserving biological material (BM) in ex-situ repositories and making it promptly available to several users such as industry, R&D in biotechnology and teaching. The rise in the scientific and biotechnological importance of BM along with an increased awareness of governments on the necessity of preserve the microbiological diversity has resulted in a global understanding of the need to assure stable and well managed operations inside culture collections. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recommended culture collections to work under certificated or accredited schemes thus reaching the status of Biological Resource Centre (BRC). However, no relevant international normative document, covering all the activities of BRCs, exists. The purpose of this article is to establish the launch pad for the OECD purpose on the establishment of a Global Biological Resource Centre Network composed by certified or accredited BRCs. Methodology Relevant standards that could apply to BRC are compared with the OECD recommendation for BRCs. A new standard is proposed and the mechanism to its development is presented as well as the main structure and sub-clauses. Findings No relevant international document exists covering fundamental issues for BRC operation. Based on existing normative documents it is possible to develop a consistent, credible and compatible standard that fits BRC purposes without overlap existing normative documents. Practical implications The developed standard will enable the culture collections accreditation by providing the necessary requirements for the quality and competence management system implemented, being though a fundamental step for the establishment of the Global BRC Network ...

Introduction: Aflatoxins are among the most carcinogenic natural compounds known, and have been frequently detected in numerous agricultural commodities, nut fruits being among the most contaminated ones. These toxins are a result of the secondary metabolism of fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus Section Flavi, namelly Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticusand A. nomius. The early detection of aflatoxigenic fungal contamination and the preventive control of aflatoxin production seems to be the only viable way to respond to the rigorous limits imposed by EU legislation. In Portugal, knowledge on mycoflora and mycotoxigenic profiles of almonds is scarce. Our objective was to characterise portuguese almonds in respect to mycoflora, with strong emphasis on aflatoxigenic fungi, from production to ...

Aflatoxins are among the most carcinogenic natural compounds known, and have been frequently detected in numerous agricultural commodities, nut fruits being among the most contaminated ones. These toxins are a result of the secondary metabolism of fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus Section Flavi, namelly Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius. The early detection of aflatoxigenic fungal contamination and the preventive control of aflatoxin production seems to be the only viable way to respond to the rigorous limits imposed by EU legislation. In Portugal, knowledge on mycoflora and mycotoxigenic profiles of almonds is scarce. Our objective was to characterise portuguese almonds in respect to mycoflora, with strong emphasis on aflatoxigenic fungi, from production to commercialization. Various samples of almonds were collected from the field, as well as during storage and processing. Environmental data have also been recorded. Samples were plated directly on MEA+10% NaCl and all fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus isolated and identified to the group or species level. All Aspergillus belonging to Section Flavi were further characterised based on their mycotoxigenic profile, with the aim of identifying aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains. Fungal diversity and relative frequencies of Aspergillus spp. were determined for the various samples and correlated with environmental conditions. We have observed a progressive reduction on fungal diversity of almonds from the field to the end of processing, as well as an increase of the frequency of more xerophilic fungi, including Aspergillus Section Flavi. Concerning the latter, we report that Aspergillus parasiticus are predominantly aflatoxigenic and Aspergillus flavus are predominantly non-aflatoxigenic. Other less common species have also been identified.

Aflatoxins are among the most carcinogenic natural compounds known, and have been frequently detected in numerous agricultural commodities, nut fruits being among the most contaminated ones. These toxins are a result of the secondary metabolism of fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus Section Flavi, namelly Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius. The early detection of aflatoxigenic fungal contamination and the preventive control of aflatoxin production seems to be the only viable way to respond to the rigorous limits imposed by EU legislation. In Portugal, knowledge on mycoflora and mycotoxigenic profiles of almonds is scarce. Our objective was to characterise portuguese almonds in respect to mycoflora, with strong emphasis on aflatoxigenic fungi, from production to commercialization. Various samples of almonds were collected from the field, as well as during storage and processing. Environmental data have also been recorded. Samples were plated directly on MEA+10% NaCl and all fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus isolated and identified to the group or species level. All Aspergillus belonging to Section Flavi were further characterised based on their mycotoxigenic profile, with the aim of identifying aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains. Fungal diversity and relative frequencies of Aspergillus spp. were determined for the various samples and correlated with environmental conditions. We have observed a progressive reduction on fungal diversity of almonds from the field to the end of processing, as well as an increase of the frequency of more xerophilic fungi, including Aspergillus Section Flavi. Concerning the latter, we report that Aspergillus parasiticus are predominantly aflatoxigenic and Aspergillus flavus are predominantly non-aflatoxigenic. Other less common species have also been identified.

The taxonomy of the penicillia is unstable particularly in the important antibiotic-and mycotoxin-producing subgenus Penicillium. There are difficulties relating identifications to mycotoxin production. Also, the validity of dual nomenclature for pleomorphic fungi is under discussion increasingly. Patulin is an important mycotoxin produced by various fungi and has strict limits in the European Union. The mycotoxin and/or the isoepoxydon dehydrogenase (IDH) gene of the metabolic pathway have been assessed in 318 strains predominately of subgenus Penicillium. These data were used to classify the isolates. Subgenus Penicillium contained most of the IDH and patulin positives. The species and varieties in subgenus Penicillium which were associated with patulin detection can be reduced to one name, viz. Penicillium Pen p+ (p=patulin). This as been extended to other mycotoxin producing penicillia to indicate the scope of the scheme. The classification will lead to the number of taxa being reduced, while avoiding species names and hence dual nomenclature. Culture independent analysis of environmental samples is mentioned. The scheme could be used with advantage for other fungi. ; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia ...

This study reports the presence of filamentous fungi (ff) in drinking water including biofilms. Ff are not studied ufficiently in drinking water. Ff were highest in winter and had an indirect relation with other microorganisms. Pathogenic fungi were not observed at the mesophilic temperatures used. Penicillium expansum and P. brevicompactum were observed which may affect biofilms by mycotoxin production. FISH and calcofluor methods indicated presumptive ff in biofilms in water distribution systems. ; European Union within the Fifth Framework Programme Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia ...

Interactions between fungi occur when they grow on the same host plant. This is the case of Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum on grape. P. expansum is also responsible for production of the mycotoxin patulin. In this study, the influence of the interaction between both fungi on fungal growth parameters was studied as well as the effect on the accumulation of patulin by P. expansum. For that purpose, spores of B. cinerea and P. expansum were inoculated together (mixed inoculum), and the parameters growth rate, time for growth and patulin accumulation were assessed. The presence of P. expansum conidia shortened the time for growth of mixed inoculum colonies which, at the end of incubation, were B. cinerea-like. Although some P. expansum growth was observed in mixed inoculum colonies, very low levels of patulin were observed. In assays carried out in patulin-spiked medium, B. cinerea was capable to metabolize the mycotoxin. The capabilities of B. cinerea to shorten time for growth and prevent patulin accumulation are competing abilities that facilitate grape colonization. Significance and Impact of the Study: To our knowledge, this is the first study on the influence of fungal interactions between Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum on growth parameters and patulin accumulation. The incidence of P. expansum in some wine regions is high, but the attack of this fungus to vineyards is rare, being B. cinerea the most common disease. In this assay, it was observed that, in vitro, the presence of P. expansum spores enhanced B. cinerea growth, while the latter avoided patulin accumulation. ; H. Morales is grateful to the Portuguese Government. (Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior; FCT Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia. Grant ref. ...

Filamentous fungi are a ubiquitous and diverse group of eukaryotic organisms and may contribute, along with bacteria, yeasts, protozoa and viruses, to the formation of biofilms in water distribution systems. However, fungal involvement in biofilms has not been demonstrated unambiguously. Furthermore, these fungi may be responsible for the production of tastes, odours and mycotoxins in drinking water making their early detection important. To overcome these problems a combination of two fluorescent techniques for direct detection was tested: (a) Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) employing the universal rRNA probe EUK516, labelled with the red Cy3, and (b) staining with Calcofluor White MR2 fluorescent dye which stains fungal cell walls blue. Pure cultures of Penicillium brevicompactum were used to establish the methods followed by separate experiments with real water biofilm samples in PVC-C and cast iron coupons. FISH demonstrated eukaryotic microrganisms after approximately 5 h while the calcofluor method revealed chitinous and/or cellulose containing filamentous structures in less than one hour. When the two methods were combined, additional resolution was obtained from the images of filamentous walls (blue) with intact protoplasm (red). In conclusion, FISH and Calcofluor staining provide rapid, and direct information on the involvement of filamentous fungi in biofilms which form in water. ; European Union, Fifth Framework Programme; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia ...

Maize (Zea mays) and guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor) are major food items in Plateau state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the markets and store/warehouses used for this study; sample collection employed a simple random sampling method from different sampling points within designated areas. A total of 18 representative samples were collected and analyzed for the following mycotoxins: aflatoxins (Aflatoxin B1 - AFB1, Aflatoxin B2 - AFB2, Aflatoxin G1 - AFG1 and Aflatoxin G2 - AFG2), fumonisins (Fumonisin B1 - FB1 and Fumonisin B2 - FB2 ) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Out of 12 samples analyzed for Aflatoxins, AFB1 was detected in 5, AFB2 in 1, AFG1 in 1 and AFG2 in 6 samples respectively. The highest concentration of AFB1 and AFG2 were found in maize samples from Pankshin market. Only maize samples from Mangu market were contaminated with AFB2 and also harboured the lowest concentration of AFG2. AFG1 contamination occurred in only guinea corn from Shendam market. and FB1 was detected in all 18 samples analyzed. The mycotoxin CPA was not detected in any of the samples. Aflatoxins levels in analyzed samples were regarded as safe based on Nigerian and European Union maximum permissible levels of 4g/kg. With the exception of two samples, FB1 levels in analyzed maize samples were within European Union maximum permissible levels of 1,000 to 3000g/kg. The health and food safety implications of these results for the human and animal population are further ...