Abstract
Coix seed is a valuable crop with both medicinal and edible uses, significantly impacting economic and medical sectors. However, its contamination with fungi and mycotoxins poses serious health risks when used medicinally. Thus, identifying fungi in Coix seed and controlling fungal toxins is crucial. This study employs high-throughput sequencing to detect fungi in Coix seed samples and analyze their correlation with mycotoxin content. Our findings showed no fungal infection from seed filling to maturity, but a diverse fungal community was present in mature seeds, the relative abundance of the dominant fungal phyla varied across different regions. In GZQL, YNFYA, and GD, the Ascomycota phylum dominated, and in LN and GXBS, Basidiomycota was the predominant phylum. These genera showed significant correlations with aflatoxins, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol, indicating their potential as mycotoxin producers. Analysis revealed that Bacillus had a negative correlation with all detected mycotoxins. Antagonistic experiments demonstrated that Bacillus strains effectively inhibited aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus. This study provides essential data for preventing fungal growth and mycotoxin accumulation in Coix seed, ensuring its safe use in medicine and as food. These findings provide essential data for developing targeted strategies to prevent fungal growth and mycotoxin accumulation in Coix seed, ensuring its safe use in both medicinal and dietary applications. By enhancing our understanding of the microbial dynamics in Coix seed, we can improve food safety and public health outcomes, reinforcing the importance of continued research in this field.