Genetically Stable Atoxigenic Aspergillus Strains to Manage Pre- and Post-Harvest Aflatoxin Contamination

Aflatoxins are toxic substances produced by certain fungi found on crops like corn, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts. The contamination of peanuts by aflatoxins is a significant food safety concern, leading to restrictions on both export and domestic use of peanuts as food or animal feed. While some peanut genotypes resistant to aflatoxin have been identified in research, none demonstrate complete resistance and still accumulate aflatoxins that surpass U.S. food safety levels. The economic impact of aflatoxin contamination is significant. In the United States alone, peanut producers lose $25 to $58 million annually, while the corn industry faces losses of $280 million per year. Across all affected industries, including peanuts, corn, tree nuts and cotton, the total economic impact exceeds $1 billion. To address this problem, Clemson inventors have created genetically stable (non-reversible) atoxigenic Aspergillus strains for use as a biopesticide, ultimately reducing aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, corn, and cotton.