GENETIC DIVERSITY AND MACROMORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY OF Aspergillus ISOLATES FROM GARLIC COLLECTED IN DIFFERENT BRAZILIAN STATES

The presence of fungi in products of biological origin represents a risk factor for human and animal health, considering the potential production of mycotoxins with carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic and nephrotoxic properties. Garlic (Allium sativum L), is a spice widely used in cooking, known for aromatic and phytotherapeutic properties. From harvesting to storage, the garlic is susceptible to infection by mycotoxin-producing fungi. The literature indicate higher incidence of fungi of the Aspergillus genus, highlighting Aspergillus section Nigri. However, there are few reports of garlic infection for other Aspergillus sections. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of infection of Aspergillus section Cremei, Flavi and Circumdati, and to evaluate the genetic variability of these fungi isolated from garlic commercialized in 8 Brazilian states. A total of 93 isolates morphologically characterized as Aspergillus sections Cremei, Flavi or Circumdati were isolated from garlic marketed in the 8 Brazilian states. The highest incidence of fungi these sections was found in the state of Bahia. The states of Bahia and Santa Catarina, had the Aspergillus section Cremei as the predominant one, however, the presence of Aspergillus section Flavi was verified only in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and the Amazonas. Aspergillus section Circumdati was present in 4 of the 8 Brazilian states, with higher incidence in the São Paulo state. From the 93 isolates, 44 were selected for evaluated the genetic variability by RAPD-PCR (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA - PCR). The dendrogram showed high genetic variability among the 44 isolates. At 50 % of similarity the isolates were grouped in three distinct groups (I, II and III). A total of 33 isolates were harbor in the I group, 3 isolates were harbor in the II group, while 8 isolates were harbor in the III group. The I group harbor Aspergillus section Cremei, presented high incidence among 8 Brazilian states, with a predominance in the South and Southwest regions. The results allowed to verify that there is a high incidence of Brazilian garlic infection by Aspergillus section Cremei, with high genetic variability in the several states. The fungi infection of Aspergillus sections Circumdati and Flavi had a lower incidence in this substrate.