Genetics and Genomics of aspergillus Fla VUS.

Aspergillus flavus is the most infamous species among the over 185 known species within the genus Aspergillus. It is not only one of the most abundant and widely distributed soil-borne molds that can be found anywhere on earth but,also produces aflatoxins, among the most carcinogenic natural products ever discovered (Jelinek et al., 1989). A. flavus is a saprobe capable of surviving on many organic nutrient sources like plant debris, tree leaves, decaying wood, animal fodder, cotton, compost piles, dead insects and animal carcasses, stored grains, and even human and animal patients (Klich, 1998). Its optimal range for growth is between 25 – 37°C, but it can grow in a wide range of temperatures from 12 to 48°C. The ability of the fimgus to grow at relatively high temperatures of the fungus contributes to its pathogenicity in humans and other warm blooded animals. For most of its life-cycle, the fungus exists in the form of mycelia or asexual spores known as conidia. Stress from adverse conditions such as lack of adequate nutrients or water, causes the mycelia to form resistant structures called sclerotia. The fungus over-winters either as spores, as scierotia or as mycelia in debris. Under favorable conditions scierotia germinate directly to produce new colonies or conidiophores with conidia (Bennett et al., 1986; Cotty, 1988; Chang et al., 2002) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]