First global registration of an isolate producing aflatoxin B1 from the fungus (Rhizopus microsporus) from stored grains and nuts in Iraq

This study delineates the mycotoxin-producing capabilities of Rhizopus microsporus strains isolated from stored grains and nuts. Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1, are significant due to their deleterious effects on human and animal health and their economic impact on vital agricultural commodities. Employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification, one isolate was confirmed to produce aflatoxin B1 and was associated with R. microsporus. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and ammonia gas tests substantiated the isolate’s toxin-producing ability. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quantified aflatoxin B1 concentration, revealing a yield of 395.19 PPb. This study’s findings are unprecedented, marking the first known instance of such isolates producing toxins globally. DNA extraction from fungal hyphae, PCR analysis, nucleotide sequencing, and submission to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database further corroborated the isolate’s classification as R. microsporus. The isolate was formally registered in the Gene Bank with serial number OP205376.1, representing a notable contribution to Iraqi and international scientific communities.