Molecular and biochemical characterization of patulin producing and non-producing Penicillium species in apples fruits from Morocco

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the study of the basic biology and genetics of toxigenic Penicillia because of their natural occurrence in food products and of the toxic effects of their secondary metabolites on humans. Among Penicillium species, Penicillium expansum is a well-known postharvest pathogen causing decay of apple fruits during storage and it is also responsible for patulin biosynthesis, a mycotoxin that exhibits a number of toxic effects in mammals. In this study, authors report the isolation of patulin-producing Penicillia in apples collected in different markets in four localities in Morocco.