Browsing by Author "Paterson, Russell"
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- Contributions of Micoteca da Universidade do Minho to food mycologyPublication . Rodrigues, Paula; Soares, Célia; Freitas-Silva, Otniel; Santos, Cledir; Paterson, Russell; Kozakiewicz, Zofia; Venâncio, Armando; Lima, NelsonMicoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM) is a collection of fungi established in 1996. Research involving secondary metabolites in the form of mycotoxins is paramount. An objective is to provide authentic strains for research in biotechnology, life sciences and challenge testing. Knowledge, information and training in mycology are promulgated by the biological resource centre. MUM is involved in projects which address the health and quality risks from fungal contamination of grape products (e.g. wine), apples, cheese, chilies, nuts and corn: Fungi in drinking water is of particular concern. Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium expansum and Fusarium graminearum especially are relevant to our work: Associated mycotoxins are ochratoxin A, aflatoxins, patulin, citrinin and zearalenone. We study the earthy off-flavours in wine from Botrytis cinearum and P. expansum. The analytical techniques employed are PCR, HPLC, GC-MS and MALDITOF MS for strain characterization. MUM participates in several European and national projects. Post-graduate studies on mycotoxigenic fungi and food security particularly are important. A key objective is international collaboration. MUM strains are well characterized for toxigenicity, making the collection relevant to its mission and industry. This presentation will describe the progress made in this innovative Portuguese laboratory over 10 years.
- Identification and characterization of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxinsPublication . Rodrigues, Paula; Soares, Célia; Kozakiewicz, Zofia; Paterson, Russell; Lima, Nelson; Venâncio, ArmandoAspergillus flavus is the main producer of the well known carcinogenic aflatoxins. The presence of this fungus and aflatoxins is of huge concern in terms of food safety. The identification of A. flavus is not straightforward due to similarities with closely related species (e.g. A. parasiticus and A. nomius). Also, from the biochemical point of view the closely-related species are able to produce different mycotoxins. In order to clarify the differentiation between species the identification schemes is revisited. Selective media, data from mycotoxins production and molecular biology tools are discussed in order to clarify the concept of A. flavus species.
- Micotoxinas: contributos da micoteca da Universidade do Minho (mum) para a segurança alimentarPublication . Rodrigues, Paula; Soares, Célia; Freitas-Silva, Otniel; Santos, Cledir; Paterson, Russell; Kozakiewicz, Zofia; Venâncio, Armando; Lima, NelsonA Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM), fundada em 1996, tem como missão ser uma colecção de fungos filamentosos com o objectivo principal de manter e fornecer estirpes com qualidade e autenticidade para a investigação em biotecnologia e ciências da vida, e laboratórios de ensaio, actuando também como um centro de conhecimento, informação e formação na área da micologia. Dentro desta missão, a MUM tem estado envolvida em projectos que procuram dar resposta aos riscos alimentares derivados da contaminação fúngica.
- Micotoxinas: contributos da Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM) para a segurança alimentar.Publication . Rodrigues, Paula; Soares, Célia; Freitas-Silva, Otniel; Santos, Cledir; Paterson, Russell; Venâncio, Armando; Lima, NelsonA Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM), fundada em 1996, tem como missão ser uma colecção de fungos filamentosos com o objectivo principal de manter e fornecer estirpes com qualidade e autenticidade para a investigação em biotecnologia e ciências da vida, e laboratórios de ensaio, actuando também como um centro de conhecimento, informação e formação na área da micologia. Dentro desta missão, a MUM tem estado envolvida em projectos que procuram dar resposta aos riscos alimentares derivados da contaminação fúngica.
- Modern polyphasic methods that include MALDI-TOF analyses for fungal identifications and authenticationsPublication . Lima, Nelson; Rodrigues, Paula; Soares, Célia; Santos, Cledir; Paterson, Russell; Venâncio, ArmandoThe identification of species is an important goal in taxonomic mycology. Information about each fungus (e.g. morphological description, physiological and biochemical properties, ecological roles, and societal risks or benefits) is the key element in this process. Identifications can be a long and seemingly never-ending process with frequent revisions of the taxonomic schemes. These changes make identifications even more complicated for the non specialised researchers as each taxonomic group has specialized literature, terminology and characters. This occurs to the extend that identifications can only be undertaken by a narrow group of scientists especially skilled in the "art", which can make the procedures appear to be subjective.