%0 Journal Article
%A Patiño Álvarez, Aurora Belén
%A Medina, Á.
%A Domenech Lucas, Miriam
%A González Jaén, María Teresa
%A Jiménez, M.
%A Vázquez, C.
%T Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification of Penicillium brevicompactum, a grape contaminant and mycophenolic acid producer
%D 2007
%@ 0265-203X
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/98309
%X Penicillium brevicompactum is a ubiquitous fungal species that contaminates diverse substrates and commodities and produces an array of metabolites toxic to human and animals. The present work has obtained evidence, by liquid chromatography (LC)-ion-trap mass spectrometry, of the ability of P. brevicompactum strains isolated from grapes to produce mycophenolic acid, a potent immunosuppressor. In order to facilitate early diagnosis of this species on commodities for human and animal consumption, a rapid, sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for P. brevicompactum was developed. The specific primers were designed based on the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacers of rRNA genes) multicopy region. This method provides a useful aid to detect the presence of this fungal species in grapes and other commodities in order to prevent the toxins produced entering the food chain.
%~