Morphological and genetic characterization of aspergillus spp. from dried figs (Ficus carica L.) in the vicinity of Aydin

Aspergillus genus is one of the most important fungus in filamentous fungi due to their toxigenity, causing degradation on foods, have high adaptation ability to environmental conditions and also common usage in industry. No studies are available to exhibit population structure of Flavi and Niger Group species with the potential to produce aflatoxin and ochratoxin. Therefore, the aim of this study is to exhibit the flora of filamentous fungi from dried figs in Aydin province and to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of potential aflatoxigenic and ochratoxigenic Aspergillus strains using microsatellite markers. For this purpose, dried figs samples were collected from 37 different villages (in October-December, 2010) in Aydin province. The presence of aflatoxin was determined in 3 towns (Nazilli, Köşk and İncirliova) as a result of 360 nm UV treatment of dried figs samples. As a consequence of our study, we have obtained 15 different microfungi species belonging to 10 different genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Acremonium, Mortierella, Rhizopus, Trichoderma and Trichophyton) among total 99 isolates. Isolates constitute 72% of the species belonging to the genus Aspergillus. Genomic DNA isolation was performed from common isolates of Aspergillus flavus and A.niger in Aydin. A total fourteen loci was studied to determine structure of of A. flavus (n=15) and A niger (n=45) populations using microsatellite markers. Statistical analyses of obtained data have been performed using by Genepop, FSTAT and Genealex Programmes. In conclusion, populations of A .flavus ve A.niger showed statistically significant genetic structuring through Aydin province.