Aspergillus Mycotoxins: Potential as Biocontrol Agents

Abstract

The fungal genus Aspergillus was established in 1729, and includes species that are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. The genus Aspergillus is among the most abundant and widely distributed organisms on earth, and at the moment comprises 339 known species. Although they are not considered to be major cause of plant diseases, Aspergillus species are responsible for several disorders in various plants and plant products, especially as opportunistic storage molds. The notable consequence of their presence is contamination of foods and feeds by mycotoxins, among which the most important are aflatoxins, sterigmatocystin, ochratoxins, fumonisins, patulin, gliotoxin and cyclopiazonic acid. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi. Species assigned to the Aspergillus genus produce a wide range of mycotoxins which can contaminate several agricultural products, and cause various human and animal diseases. Mycotoxins are carcinogenic, nephrotoxic, teratogenic, and immunotoxic in rats and possibly in humans. Mycotoxins might play a role in terms of economic and safe farming procedure. The effects of mycotoxins on insects have already been addressed by several research groups 50 years ago. Mycotoxins can cause toxicity to insects, nematodes including insecticidal effects and developmental delay.