Work

Evaluation of mycotoxins, mycobiota and toxigenic fungi in the traditional medicine Radix Dipsaci

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Radix Dipsaci is commonly utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and is susceptible to contamination with mycotoxins. Here, we evaluated the mycotoxins, mycobiota and toxigenic fungi in the traditional medicine Radix Dipsaci. Among the sixty-three batches of Radix Dipsaci samples, we found that a total of twenty-eight batches (44.4%) were contaminated with mycotoxins including AFB1, AFG1, OTA, ZEN, AFG2 and T-2. More than 60% of the contaminated samples were combined with multiple mycotoxins. Fungal diversity and community were altered in the Radix Dipsacicontaminated with various mycotoxins. The abundance of Aspergillus and Fusariumincreased in the Radix Dipsacicontaminated with aflatoxins and ZEN. A total of ninety-five strains of toxigenic fungi were isolated from the samples contaminated with mycotoxins, predominantly comprising Aspergillus (73.7%), Fusarium (20.0%), and Penicillium (6.3%). Through morphological identification, molecular identification, mycotoxin synthase gene identification and toxin production verification, we confirmed that AFB1 and AFG1 derive from A. flavus, OTA derives from A. westerdijkiae, ZEN derives from F. oxysporum, and T-2 derives from F. graminearum in Radix Dipsaci. These data may help to provide useful information for effective prevent, control, and degrade contaminants strategies to ensure the safety of traditional medicine Radix Dipsaci.

Source: Frontiers in Microbiology

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1454683