Background: Anthracnose disease of chili caused by Colletotrichum spp is one of the most destructive diseases affecting chili fruits in Thailand and significantly reduces fruit quality and chili production. Currently, this disease is managed primarily with synthetic fungicides that may affect public health and the environment adversely. Consequently, there is a need for biological management options. In vitro and in vivo evaluations of the antagonistic activity of Talaromyces flavus Bodhi001, Talaromyces trachyspermus Bodhi002, Talaromyces flavus Bodhi003 and Neosartorya fischeri Bodhi004 against Colletotrichum capsici, the causal agent of chili anthracnose disease, were conducted in the present study. 
 
Methods: The activity of antagonistic fungi against C. capsici was determined using PDA plate by dual culture method. The spore suspensions of C. capsici and antagonistic fungi were prepared in sterile water and adjusted using a hemocytometer to achieve a final concentration of about 106 spores mL-1. 
 
Result: The most effective antagonistic strains were T. flavus Bodhi001 and N. fischeri Bodhi004, which inhibited the mycelial growth of C. capsici by 68.99% and 70.76%, respectively. Interestingly, the antagonistic T. flavus Bodhi001 strain was the most effective at reducing the severity of chili anthracnose in vivo by up to 80%. The biological control activity of T. flavus Bodhi001 was to produce antibiosis against C. capsici; therefore, testing can be recommended to confirm its field trial stability. The results indicate that the application of the antagonistic fungi T. flavus Bodhi001 may be quite effective in biological control of chili anthracnose.

Biological Control of Chili Anthracnose Disease using Talaromyces flavus Bodhi001

<div style="text-align: justify;">In this study, molecular analysis of (100%) all fungal isolates, which were sampled from soil and air besides from infected peanut plants in the peanut planting area, were identified in &acirc;-tubulin gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR products of fungal isolates were restricted by BglII enzyme within Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). The intergenic spacer (IGS) region for aflatoxin biosynthesis genes (aflJ-aflR) were determined in 254 (78.2%) A. flavus isolates using PCR-RFLP. Selected 100 isolates were detected as A. flavus by &acirc;-tubulin sequence gene fragments and comparisons of sequence showed 96&ndash;100% similarity. 254 out of 325 isolates contained aflatoxin biosynthesis genes (aflJ-aflR), whereas 213 out of 254 isolates produced aflatoxin. The results acquired in study remarked that A. flavus was the species responsible for aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin gene cluster in populations can be advantage for comprehension of the toxicological risk as well as the election of biocontrol isolates.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Molecular Characterization of Aflatoxin Biosynthesis Genes of Aspergillus flavus from Peanuts Production Area&nbsp;</div>

<div>Background: Mouldy growth in food commodities by aflatoxin producing fungi is a serious health concern to animals as well as human beings due to the harmful effects of aflatoxins like hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, impairment of protein synthesis, formation of DNA adducts, etc. even in minute concentrations. A tropical climate with moderate temperature, high humidity and heavy rainfall provides optimal conditions for the growth of aflatoxin producing fungi like Aspergillus flavus in different food items. The current study was to examine if the substrate(s) in a food item has any role to play in aflatoxin production by A. flavus. 
 
Methods: The fungus was isolated from ten different edible materials and identified using standard procedure. The isolates were cultured in potato dextrose agar slants keeping the culture conditions identical in triplicates. The toxin extracted using chloroform as solvent and downstream processing to get crude toxin was quantified on the basis of dry weight. Thin layer chromatography was done and the fluorescence of the toxins from different isolates was visualised under high wavelength of ultra-violet light with standard Aflatoxin B1 chromatographed vis-a-vis to confirm presence of the toxin in all the extracted toxins.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results of the extracted toxin dry weight comparison between different isolates as well as the fluorescence intensity in the chromatograms revealed that contaminated peanut isolate of A. flavus yielded the highest amount of crude toxin. Thus, the results indicate that there are some factor(s) in peanut that promote(s) aflatoxin production by A. flavus. This information was further used for formulating potato dextrose agar media for isolation of aflatoxin producing fungi by incorporating peanut extract in the media and comparing the amount of crude toxin yield.</div>

Comparison of Aflatoxin Yield from Peanut Isolate of Aspergillus flavus with Other Isolates

<div>Background: Aflatoxin contamination in groundnut is a serious health concern for both humans and ruminants. Genetic resistance is a viable, cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to manage aflatoxin contamination. Molecular markers particularly SSRs have been proved to be very effective in Marker Assisted Selection. 
 
Methods: In this study, single marker analysis using 30 SSR markers in 66 groundnut genotypes was executed to know if any selected SSRs were linked to in vitro seed colonization by Aspergillus flavus (IVSCAF) and/or aflatoxin contamination. 
 
Result: Single marker analysis revealed significant association of few SSR markers with tolerance to IVSCAF and/or aflatoxin contamination. Four markers viz., GM-1954, GM-1883, pPGPseq-2F05 and S-03 were found to be associated with in vitro seed colonization by A. flavus. The marker GM-1954 has shown a maximum R2 value of 14.07 indicating that 14.07 per cent phenotypic variation for IVSCAF has been explained by this marker (F=0.002**). Further, three markers viz., S-21, S-80 and GM-1954 were found to be associated with tolerance to aflatoxin contamination. It is evident from the results that, the marker GM 1954 has shown association with both IVSCAF as well as aflatoxin contamination. However, the R2 value of GM 1954, which explains the phenotypic variation for aflatoxin contamination, was less (6.21) as compared to that of IVSCAF (14.07).</div>

<div>Single Marker Analysis in Groundnut for Tolerance to in vitro Seed Colonization by Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Contamination</div>

Background: Many microorganisms isolated from plant surfaces and inside tissues are ecofriendly and beneficial for biofertilizer and biopesticides. Recent studies showed that colonization of plants by endophytic yeast have been studied due to their capacity to solubilize phosphate and produce organic acids that may be used to control toxigenic fungi. The aim this research was to investigate endophytic yeasts of soursop fruit to solubilize phosphate and their organic acid against toxigenic A. flavus. 
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Methods: The fresh healthy ripe fruit were harvested and followed by surface sterilization. The inner tissue was homogenized and a serial dilution up to 10-11&nbsp;CFU/ml. All dilution were pour plated with malt extract agar medium (MEA). Three replications were made for each dilution. All plates were incubated for 7 days at 29oC. Each yeast isolate was initially enumerated, isolated and examined for morphological characteristics. The potential of endophytic yeast to dissolve phosphate was observed in Pikovskaya&rsquo;s medium.&nbsp;Coconut agar medium contain 30% organic acid produced by each isolate was used to determine mycelial growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus. 
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Result: Showed four endophytic yeasts were isolated and Rhodotorula sp. was the most dominant species (27x1011&nbsp;CFU/ml), whereas. Candida sp. was the highest P solubilization index (7.71), organic acid producer (0,00354%) and inhibit mycelial growth and aflatoxin production of A. flavus.

Phosphate Solubilizing Endophytic Yeasts of Soursop and its Suppressive Effect on Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus&nbsp; &nbsp;

Background: Using natural products as potential anticancer and antimicrobial agents has gained significant attention. 
 
Methods: This study investigated the anticancer and antimicrobial properties of Senecio flavus by using MTT and well-diffusion assays, respectively. The study also examined the potential of S. flavus extracts to induce apoptosis in liver cancer cells using light and fluorescent microscopy. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was utilized to identify the phyto-compounds, which were subsequently analyzed through molecular docking using AutoDock Vina 1.1.2. 
 
Result: The difference in solvent polarity and extraction methods had a notable influence on the yield of the extracts. The saponin fraction had the highest yield (4.42%). Only the hexane extract demonstrated cytotoxic with IC50&nbsp;values of 241.2 and 187.8 mg/mL for HepG2 and Huh-7 cells, respectively. Apoptotic morphological changes were observed in cells treated with the hexane extract. Additionally, apoptotic cell induction was confirmed using DAPI and AO-EB dual staining. The saponin fraction of S. flavus demonstrated antimicrobial activity, indicated by inhibition zones measuring 19 mm, 27 mm, 13 mm, 17 mm 12 mm against Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR), Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC&reg; BAA-747), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. GC-MS analysis identified a range of bioactive phyto-compounds within the hexane extract. The compounds (R)-3,5,8a-Trimethyl-7,8,8a,9-tetrahydronaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4(6H)-one and Tricyclo [20.8.0.0 (7,16)]triacontane, 1(22),7(16)-diepoxy- demonstrated the most favourable docking results with 4JAS and 5W1B, respectively, exhibiting a &Delta;G of -9.7 kcal/mol. This highlights the potential of S. flavus as a promising plant, which requires further investigation and development as a therapeutic agent.

Phytochemical Profiling and Cytotoxic Potential of&nbsp;Senecio flavus n-Hexane Extract using in vitro and in silico Approaches

<div style="text-align: justify;">Calendula officinalis Linn (pot marigold) possess potential pharmacological activities which might be considered as an excellent cause, in scheming the aflatoxin biosynthesis in the aflatoxigenic fungi. The aim of the present study was to assess the antifungal activity of methanol extracts of the plant petals against biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in Aspergillus flavus. The antifungal potential of methanolic extract of C. officinalis was evaluated against the toxigenic fungus on Czapek Dox Agar (CDA) and Czapek Dox Broth (CDB) Media, using disc diffusion assay. The use of C. officinalis extract on the A. flavus culture showed the significant inhibition of AFB1up to 59.50% along with the reduction of mycelial growth to about 24.82%. Although, the treatment of the AFB1 with the extract for 5 hours at 80&ordm;C which led to 78.48%. The work well established the inhibitory role of C. officinalis extract in order to reduce the AFB1 threat.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Detoxification assessment of Aflatoxin in Aspergillus flavus under the effect of Calendula officinalis Linn&rsquo;s methanolic extract</div>

Background: Fungi such as Fusarium moniliform and Aspergillus flavus are known to cause plant diseases through a variety of mechanisms, such as competing with plants for food or blocking the plant&rsquo;s vessels, preventing water and nutrients from reaching the plant and secreting a number of toxins that negatively affect animals that feed on the infected plants. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted in the poultry farms of the College of Agriculture, University of Al-Muthanna, during the 2024-2025 season to evaluate the effect of mycotoxin- contaminated diet on some immune and productive symptoms of Ross 308 broiler chickens at 20 days of age. Birds were divided into four groups, which included 10 birds in each group. Birds were divided as follows: (T1) A natural, food-free diet; (T2) a diet contaminated with Fusarium moniliform; (T3) a diet contaminated with A. flavus and (T4) a diet contaminated by both F. moniliform and A. flaves. 
 
Result: The results demonstrated that mycotoxin affected the immune parameters significantly, causing reducing their resistance to infectious bronchitis (IB), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and heterofil-to-lymphocyte (H/L). The most pronounced effect was seen in treatment (T3) and (T4) (2103.80 and 1253.30) and (4557.20 and 790.90), respectively. In addition, a decline in concentrations of alpha, beta and gamma globulin, as well as minor changes in the weight of internal organs such as the heart, liver, gizzard and abdominal fat. 
&nbsp;

Effect of Mycotoxins Produced by Fusarium moniliforme and Aspergillus flavus Associated with Wheat Grains Cultivated in the Al-Muthanna Desert and Used as Poultry Feed

Background: Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) causes black spot disease, which is one of the major diseases limiting the production of vegetable crops, especially Chinese kale in Southeast Asia and Thailand. Previous pathogen management based on synthetic fungicides is expensive, toxic for humans, and harmful to the environment. The current study investigated the efficiency of Talaromyces flavus (Kl&ouml;cker) Stolk and Samson Bodhi001, Talaromyces trachyspermus (Shear) Stolk and Samson Bodhi002, Talaromyces flavus (Kl&ouml;cker) Stolk and Samson Bodhi003, Neosartorya fischeri (Wehmer) Malloch and Cain Bodhi004, and Neosartorya fischeri (Wehmer) Malloch and Cain in controlling Chinese kale black spot disease caused by A. brassicicola under field conditions.

Methods: A. brassicicola and four antagonistic fungus strains were cultured separately on a PDA plate and incubated at room temperature for 14 days. Ten mL of sterile water was poured into a culture plate, and the spores were gently scraped from the mycelium with a sterile loop to obtain a spore suspension and afterward adjusted to a final concentration of 106 spores mL&minus;1.

Result: The results showed that spore suspensions of 106 spores&nbsp;mL&minus;1 of T. flavus Bodhi001, T. trachyspermus Bodhi002, T. flavus Bodhi003, N. fischeri Bodhi004, and N. fischeri effectively controlled black spot disease in field trials and resulted in a significant reduction in black spot incidence compared with the unprotected control. Meanwhile, the spore suspension of T. flavus Bodhi001 revealed the greatest suppression of black spot incidence, causing 10.23% and 42.93% disease reduction, compared with the negative control, indicating promising preventive activity against A. brassicicola. Based on our results, T. favus Bodhi001 is a promising biological control agent (BCA) in controlling A. brassicicola causing Chinese kale black spot disease.

Field Efficacy of Antagonistic Fungi against Black Spot Disease of Chinese Kale

<div>Background: Aspergillus niger and A. flavus cause rotting, damping-off, loss in germination and toxification of oil seeds. Aspergillus is a common mold in tropical and Sub-tropical countries and causes aflatoxin contamination. A. flavus and A. niger were responsible for storage rot of groundnut. In addition to storage rot, aflatoxin contamination also leads to adverse effects on consumer health. Therefore, present study was conducted to estimate the impact of both A. niger and A. flavus on seed quality parameters of groundnut. 
 
Methods: Effect of major seed borne fungi A.niger and A. flavus on seed quality characters of thirteen different genotypes of groundnut was observed in the present study. All the seedling quality characters were measured as per ISTA guidelines.&nbsp; 
 
Result: On an average A. niger caused 25.14, 25.18, 43.99, 26.20 and 44.75 per cent reduction in seed germination, seedling length, seedling vigour index I, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index II, respectively, over the control whereas A. flavus caused average per cent reduction of 22.38, 24.23, 41.18, 23.92 and 40.95 in seed germination, seedling length, seedling vigour index I, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index II, respectively, over the control.</div>

Biological Control of Chili Anthracnose Disease using Talaromyces flavus Bodhi001

Molecular Characterization of Aflatoxin Biosynthesis Genes of Aspergillus flavus from Peanuts Production Area

Comparison of Aflatoxin Yield from Peanut Isolate of Aspergillus flavus with Other Isolates

Single Marker Analysis in Groundnut for Tolerance to in vitro Seed Colonization by Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Contamination

Phosphate Solubilizing Endophytic Yeasts of Soursop and its Suppressive Effect on Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus

Phytochemical Profiling and Cytotoxic Potential of Senecio flavus n-Hexane Extract using in vitro and in silico Approaches

Detoxification assessment of Aflatoxin in Aspergillus flavus under the effect of Calendula officinalis Linn’s methanolic extract

Effect of Mycotoxins Produced by Fusarium moniliforme and Aspergillus flavus Associated with Wheat Grains Cultivated in the Al-Muthanna Desert and Used as Poultry Feed

Field Efficacy of Antagonistic Fungi against Black Spot Disease of Chinese Kale

Effect of Aspergillus spp. on Seed Quality Characters of Groundnut