DNA fingerprinting analysis of Petromyces alliaceus (Aspergillus section Flavi)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of the Aspergillus flavus pAF28 DNA probe to produce DNA fingerprints for distinguishing among genotypes of Petromyces alliaceus (Aspergillus section Flavi), a fungus considered responsible for the ochratoxin A contamination that is occasionally observed in California fig orchards. P. alliaceus (14 isolates), Petromyces albertensis (one isolate), and seven species of Aspergillus section Circumdati (14 isolates) were analyzed by DNA fingerprinting using a repetitive sequence DNA probe pAF28 derived from A. flavus. The presence of hybridization bands with the DNA probe and with the P. alliaceus or P. albertensis genomic DNA indicates a close relationship between A. flavus and P. alliaceus. Twelve distinct DNA fingerprint groups or genotypes were identified among the 15 isolates of Petromyces. Conspecificity of P. alliaceus and P. albertensis is suggested based on DNA fingerprints. Species belonging to Aspergillus section Circumdati hybridized only slightly at the 7.0-kb region with the repetitive DNA probe, unlike the highly polymorphic hybridization patterns obtained from P. alliaceus and A. flavus, suggesting very little homology of the probe to Aspergillus section Circum dati genomic DNA. The pAF28 DNA probe offers a tool for typing and monitoring specific P. alliaceus clonal populations and for estimating the genotypic diversity of P. alliaceus in orchards, vineyards, or crop fields.