Aspergillus flavus and Soil Fungi Aflatoxin Production Potential Using Coconut Medium in Al Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia

Aflatoxins, potent carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, pose significant food safety risks. This study found that 82.4% of A. flavus isolates from Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia, were aflatoxigenic, with production levels classified as high, medium, or low. The research used Coconut Agar Medium (CAM) to screen for aflatoxin production and identified A. flavus as a prevalent fungus in the region's agricultural soils. No significant association was found between aflatoxin production and geographical origin, suggesting strain-specific toxigenicity rather than environmental factors. The study highlights the need for integrated soil-management strategies to mitigate pre-harvest contamination risks, particularly for date palms, and supports CAM as an effective screening tool.

Alhilal, J., Alhumam, N. A., & Fadlelmula, A. (2026). Aspergillus flavus and Soil Fungi Aflatoxin Production Potential Using Coconut Medium in Al Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Pathogen Research, 15(5), 66–72. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpr/2026/v15i5485