MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Aspergillus flavus TOXIGENICITY IN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES IN INDONESIA

Toxigenic Aspergillus flavus is a primary producer of aflatoxin in Indonesia, and its presence can lead to the contamination agricultural commodities. This poses risk export-targeted commodities, potentially resulting their rejection. Therefore, this study aims characterize molecular profile nativeA. isolated from several Indonesian products, with major focus on toxigenicity toxin production. A total 18 A. collections were nutmeg, ground peanut, cacao, coffee bean, corn, white pepper, soil peanut plantation. Species identification was carried out using morphological approaches. The isolates characterized based amplification gene clusters, while production assessed through growth simulation 10% coconut broth media followed by HPLC quantification. result showed that all confirmed as sequence analysis ITS region. 11 (61%) toxigenic produced 1-2 types aflatoxin, varying concentrations high, moderate, or low levels AFB1. High AFB1 seven namely BIO3313, BIO33212, BIO3361, BIO33404, BIO3338, BIO3352, BIO3344, had concentration ranging 76.78 2241.06 µg/kg, three (BIO3314, BIO3312, BIO3381) below 1 µg/kg. Twenty-nine pairs gene-specific sequences successfully amplified single band, some non-specific patterns non-toxigenic isolates. Based results, it concluded completed clusters variations deletion observed both However, no specific target could effectively distinguish two groups. Two BIO3393 BIO33403 exhibited large be potential candidates for biocontrol agents.