Molecular detection of Penicillium griseofulvum as the coastal pollution indicator

Abstract:

Abstract: [ Objective ] PCR method was used to detect Penicillium griseofulvum, a dominant species in marine contaminated sediments and thereby to deduce the contamination degree. [ Methods ] According to differences in internal transcribed space (ITS) sequences of Penicillium genus and specific IAO sequence, we designed species-specific primers AS1/RS4 and IAO1/IAO2 of Penicillium griseofulvum and established the corresponding PCR systems. By using PCR and nested-PCR，the detection sensitivity was compared. [ Results ] The primers could exclusively amplify destined DNA fragment from environment. Using AS1/RS4 as primers, the detection sensitivity could be 10 fg/μL and 10 spores. The detection sensitivity for the sediments was 102 spores/0.25g sediments. While the detection was unsensitive when using IAO1/IAO2 as primers. [ Conclusion ] It is feasible that the species-specific primers be used as probes for the detection of environmental pollution dominant species, Penicillium griseofulvum, because the frequency of occurrence and amount of this strain could preferably indicate the pollution degree.