New PCR method to differentiate species in the Aspergillus niger aggregate

The DNA that encodes the 5.8S gene of the ribosomal RNA and the two interge nic spacers ITS1 and ITS2 of the two proposed type strains of the Aspergill us niger aggregate (A. niger and Aspergillus tubingenis) have been sequence d. By comparison of sequences we have found Chat both species could be diff erentiated by RsaI digestion of the PCR products of the mentioned regions. This method could be a useful tool in the identification of strains of the A. niger aggregate, especially in studies that involve a large number of is olates. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Publishe d by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.