DETOX-FUNGI: Early detection and control of toxigenic fusarium species and ochratoxigenic fungi in plant products

TECHNOLOGICAL PROBLEM The aim of this project is to prevent and reduce consumer's health risk derived from mycotoxin contamination in food and feed. This will be achieved through: (1) development of molecular diagnostic methods for an early detection of toxigenic Fusarium species and ochratoxigenic fungi in plant products, (2) new and more sensitive immunological tests for detection of mycotoxins in food, (3) biochemical and molecular studies to characterise genes responsible for ochratoxin A synthesis. This multidisciplinary project will assure food safety by detecting and preventing micotoxin risk exposure. It will also provide support to health and environmental policy-making and public information. The objectives are: To clone mating-type genes from Gibberella To obtain molecular detection methods (biochips, species-specific quantitative PCR, NASBA) for detection of fumonisin and beauvericin producing Fusarium species To obtain molecular detection methods (biochips, species-specific quantitative PCR, NASBA) for enniatin and trichothecenes producing Fusarium species To develop specific monoclonal antibodies to beauvericin and enniatin and relative producing Fusarium species To develop Robust quantitative PCR detection system for ochratoxin A producing fungi To clone genes responsible of OTA biosynthesis EXPECTED RESULTS Methodologies and tools (biochips, probes, monoclonal antibodies) to detect and prevent fungal and toxin contamination in food and feed. Knowledge regarding the gene/s involved in toxin biosinthesis and fungal sexual reproduction. Data which could help agro-food SMEs and consumer association in reducing mycotoxin risks in plant products and agro-food chain. APPLICATIONS Provide tools for reducing and controlling the risk of mycotoxins in plant products and in the subsequent food chain obtaining agro-industrial products with a major added value which lead to a better economic development of rural areas (farmers, animal breeders, etc.)