Soilborne fungi of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera in a preserved region of the brazilian cerrado biome

Abstract

Conducting studies on the fungi that are present in the soils of preserved biomes of natural ecosystems is important; such research leads to knowledge regarding the biodiversity of species and to the discovery of new products of importance to human health. However there is little information about the biodiversity of the filamentous fungi in the cerrado biome of Brazil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium present in the preserved soils of the Brazilian cerrado. Thirty soil samples were collected during periods of high and low rainfall in three different regions. The filamentous fungi present in the soil were isolated using a serial dilution technique and were incubated in two culture media, Dichloran Glycerol (DG-18) and Corn Meal Agar (CMA). A total of 183 isolates belonging to the Aspergillus (82) and Penicillium (101) genera were identified. The following species were the most abundant: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ostianus and Penicillium citrinum. Species of Aspergillus and Penicillium that are potentially toxigenic and of biotechnological importance are naturally present in preserved areas of the Brazilian cerrado.