EFFECT OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON THE PHENOTYPIC AND MOLECULAR MUTATION IN ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS

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Authors: Latifa A. Al-husnain

Received April 2024

Accepted for publication March 2024

Published June 2024 Volume 1:2 Pages 45—47

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Peer reviewer comments 2

Correspondence: LAALhusnian@pnu.edu.sa

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ultraviolet radiation induced genetic mutations (phenotypic and molecular) in Aspergillus flavus collected from corn grains and tested for their ability to produce aflatoxin using the high liquid chromatography technique (HPLC). A Hanau Fluotest Forte 5261 UV test lamp was used for treating A. flavus at a transition wavelength of 254 nm for 24 h. The results showed that UV radiation exposure at a transition wavelength of 800 has a mutagenic effect on A. flavus since a change in the shape and acceleration of growth was observed compared to the non-exposed sample.  In addition, the second-generation conidia showed slower growth than the non-exposed sample.  The aflatoxin types AfB1, AfB2, AfG1, and AfG2 differed in quality and quantity based on fungal isolates. The concentrations ranged from 35.210 to 195.75 ug /kg of grains. It was found that A. flavus (UV) produced AfB1 at 35.250 ug/kg of seeds. Meanwhile, A. flavus (O) produced AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 with 45.74, 10.4, 15.24, and 135.20 ug/kg of grains, respectively. On the other hand, the genetic variability among the two isolates was detected. The DNA genome of A. flavus isolates (UV and O) was tested using PCR to amplify the FIR gene. PCR amplification confirms its inter-specificity to A. flavus, UV, and O isolates with expected sizes 1335 and 1346bp, respectively. Translating the lR gene nucleate sequence to amino acids revealed genetic variability among the two isolates of 445 and 448, respectively. The percentage of nucleotide sequence replacement was 0.89%, while the percentage for amino acid sequence replacement was 1.57%.