Suppressing aflatoxin biosynthesis is not a breakthrough if not useful

Jonathan Gressel*, Guy Polturak

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Liver-affecting, carcinogenic aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus spp. are a major problem, especially in the humid developing world where storage conditions are often optimal for the fungi. Peanuts and maize have been transformed with RNAi constructs targeting Aspergillus flavus polyketide-synthase, an early key enzyme in aflatoxin biosynthesis. Aflatoxin biosynthesis was suppressed in developing immature grain, less so in late maturing grain, and it is doubtful that the technology will be effective in near dry mature grain. The infected grain was still mouldy. As Aspergillus that infects grain preharvest can continue to grow and produce aflatoxin in poorly stored grain, and grain storage insects vector further infections, this technology seems to have little potential utility in the humid tropics. The biotechnological approaches of RNAi directly targeting Aspergillus, coupled with transgenic insecticidal proteins should be far more effective. These biotechnological approaches can be used in tandem with the RNAi against polyketide-synthase, as well as with irradiation, biocontrol and better grain drying and hermetic dry storage in a controlled atmosphere.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17-21
Number of pages5
JournalPest Management Science
Volume74
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Society of Chemical Industry

Keywords

  • aflatoxin
  • Aspergillus spp.
  • maize
  • peanut
  • RNAi, polyketide-synthase

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