First report of Aspergillus nomius isolation from Hungarian apple: An emerging mycotoxigenic threat in Central Europe

Abstract

Abstract: Anthropogenic climate change is reshaping fungal dynamics in European agro-ecosystems, favoring thermotolerant and xerotolerant species once restricted to tropical and subtropical zones. Among these, Aspergillus section Flavi poses a major concern due to its production of carcinogenic aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In this context, Aspergillus nomius, a known producer of both B- and G-series aflatoxins, has gained attention for its growing presence in non-tropical regions. We report the first confirmed isolation of A. nomius from a Hungarian crop, apple, marking its entry into the national food supply. Morphological characteristics aligned with species descriptions, and molecular identification was confirmed via ITS and β-tubulin gene sequencing. The isolate exhibited AFB1 production, highlighting its potential role in mycotoxin contamination in temperate environments.This discovery expands the known ecological range of A. nomius and supports evidence that aflatoxigenic fungi are shifting their distribution due to rising temperatures and altered environmental conditions. The detection of this high-risk species in a Central European crop underscores the urgent need to revise monitoring protocols and develop climate-adaptive mycotoxin management strategies. As fungal biodiversity rapidly adjusts to climatic pressures, integrated surveillance using morphological, molecular, and toxin-based approaches will be critical to ensuring food safety in increasingly vulnerable agro-ecosystems.