Specific detection and quantification of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus in wheat flour by SYBR® Green quantitative PCR

Aflatoxins are important mycotoxins that represent a serious risk for human and animal health. These mycotoxins are mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, two closely related species with different array of aflatoxins. In this work, two specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed to detect and quantify both species in wheat flour using primers based on the multicopy ITS2 rDNA target sequence. The species specificity of the assays was tested in a wide range of strains of these species and others colonizing the same commodities. The sensitivity of the assay was estimated in 2.5 pg/reaction in both species. Discrimination capacity for detection and relative quantification of A. flavus and A. parasiticus DNA were analyzed using samples with DNA mixtures containing also other fungal species at different ratios. Both qPCR assays could detect spore concentrations equal or higher than 106 spores/g in flour samples without prior incubation. These assays are valuable tools to improve diagnosis at an early stage and in all critical control points of food chain integrated in HACCP strategies.

Research Highlights
► A specific qPCR assay was developed to detect and quantify Aspergillus flavus.
► A specific qPCR assay was developed to detect and quantify Aspergillus parasiticus.
► The pPCR protocols are suitable to be used in food matrices such as flour.
► Species detection and quantitation is possible in complex DNA samples.