Evaluation of the optimal multiplex PCR method for the detection of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus paraciticus on dried corns +CD

Abstract

Corns, which are one of major agricultural crop in Vietnam, have high risk of being infected with A. flavus and A. parasiticus due to the high humidity of VietNam’s climate which is the ideal condition for fungal development. The traditional methods for detection and identification of these mycotoxigenic fungi are very timeconsuming, laborious, and require facilities. There is a need to develop a new method - PCR-based method that target DNA which is considered a good alternative for rapid diagnosis of these fungi. In this study, a PCR-based method which had already been optimized in previous studied was evaluated by performing the detection of A. flavus and A. parasiticus on corn kernels collected from markets. These samples were detected by both culture method and multiplex PCR method. The results were then analyzed and compared with that of traditional method. The statistical outcome showed that 66% results from PCR method was the same with culture method. However, after fungal enrichment by incubating samples in moist condition overnight, this proportion increased to 82% which was suggested to be statistically the same with culture method. Therefore, The PCR method with more advantages compared to culture method in time consuming, labor demand as well as the cost, it could be considered to be the replacement for the traditional method of rapid detection of A. flavus and A. parasiticus on dried corn. Key words Aspergillus flavus Aspergillus parasiticus Dried corn kernels IHPH Culture method Multiplex PCR method