Calmodulin gene as good voucher as MALDI-TOF ICMS to identify portuguese isolates of aspergillus section flavi

Abstract

Aspergillus is a large genus, with a complex and ever evolving taxonomy. Section Flavi is one of the most significant Sections in the Genus. Taxonomy and species identification is subject of great interest for scientists aiming to clarify the species concept and limits within the section. Furthermore, this Section comprises both toxigenic and non-toxigenic species/strains, with great interest to biotechnology and food industry. Various genes, namely the rRNA (internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial LSU-rRNA regions), calmodulin and ~-tubulin genes, have been widely reported as good markers for Aspergillus species identification, because they are rapid and cost-effective