Production of aflatoxin and its partition between the medium and the mycelium ofaspergillus parasiticus during incubation under various conditions

European Food Research and Technology - Spores of an aflatoxigenic strain ofAspergillus parasiticus were inoculated into a glucose-salts medium which was incubated with and without shaking at...     

Production of aflatoxin B1 and G1 by Aspergillus parasiticus on silica gels.

Silica gels were prepared by acidifying alkaline silicate solutions with phosphoric or tartaric acid. Various combinations of glucose, sucrose, yeast extract, and salts were included in the gels an nutrients. Maximum production of aflatoxins B1 and G1 occurred when silica gel (0.4 to 0.5 cm deep in a petri dish) containing 20% sucrose and 2% yeast extract, and gelled with tartaric acid, was inoculated with approximately 120 to 12000 spores of Aspergillus parasiticus per plate; and plates were incubated at 28 degrees C for 10 days.     

Release of aflatoxin from the mycelium of aspergillus parasiticus into liquid media

Summary Spores of an aflatoxinogenie strain ofAspergillus parasiticus were inoculated into a glucose-salts medium and incubated at 28° C for 5 days when both mold growth and aflatoxin production were nearly maximal. The mold mycelium thus produced was recovered by filtration, washed three times with distilled water, placed in a nitrogen-free liquid medium (so growth was not possible), and held for 45 h. Samples of medium were tested periodically for aflatoxin content to determine release of toxin by the mycelium. When the mycelium was in a medium with 5% glucose and was held at 7° C; 17, 33, 39, and 56% of the aflatoxin from the mycelium appeared in the liquid after 1, 9, 21, and 45 h, respectively. Aflatoxin B₁ was lost by the mycelium more slowly than were B₂, G₁, and G₂. At 28° C, values for the same time intervals were 27, 60, 70, and 76%, respectively, and at 45° C they were 32, 71, 71, and 79%. At 28 and 45° C, aflatoxins G₁ and G₂ were lost by the mycelium more rapidly than were aflatoxins B₁ and B₂. Elimination of glucose from the medium at 28° C hastened, and use of 50% instead of 5% glucose markedly reduced release of aflatoxin by the mycelium during early stages of the incubation period.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Medium mit Glucose und Salzen wurde mit Sporen eines Aflatoxin bildenden StammesAspergillus paraciticus geimpft und bei 28° C für 5 Tage im Inkubator gehalten, bis sowohl das Wachstum des Schimmelpilzes als auch die Produktion von Aflatoxine den Höhepunkt erreichten. Das Pilzmycel wurde abfiltriert, 3 mal mit destilliertem Wasser gewaschen und in ein Stickstoff-freies, flüssiges Medium gebracht, um ein weiteres Wachsen unmöglich zu machen. Stichproben wurden von dem Medium periodisch gezogen und der Gehalt an Aflatoxine bestimmt, um den Verlust an Toxin aus dem Mycel zu erhalten. Wenn das Mycel in einem Medium mit 5% Glucose bei 7° C gehalten wurde, dann erschien in der Flüssigkeit 17, 33, 39 und 56% des Aflatoxins aus dem Mycelium nach 1, 9, 21 und 45 Std. Aflatoxin Bi ging aus dem Mycelium langsamer verloren als B₂, G₁ und G₂. Bei 28° C waren die Werte für dieselben Zeiträume 27, 60, 70 und 76% und bei 40° C 32, 71, 71 und 79%. Bei 28° C und bei 45° C verlor das Mycelium die Aflatoxine G₁ und G₂ schneller als B₁ und B₂. Das Mycelium gab die Aflatoxine schneller bei 28° C ab, wenn das Medium frei von Glucose war. Wenn das Medium 50% Glucose anstatt 5% enthielt, wurde der Verlust an Aflatoxine vom Mycelium im Anfangsstadium der Inkubationsperiode wesentlich verringert.

     

Microwave irradiation of hazelnuts for the control of aflatoxin producing Aspergillus parasiticus

In this study, the effects of microwave treatment on hazelnuts artificially contaminated with aflatoxigenic fungi were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The physical quality attributes (color, moisture loss, and sensory attributes) of microwave treated hazelnuts were also evaluated. A significant 3-log reduction in Aspergillus parasiticus contamination was observed after 120 s treatment, no or similar changes were observed during the storage of microwave treated hazelnuts under the storage conditions. While taste and odour of microwaved in shell hazelnuts were unaffected during treatment and subsequent storage, microwave treatment duration of 120 s was found to be capable of reducing fungal count of A. parasiticus on in-shell hazelnut without any noticeable change in nutritional and organoleptic properties of nuts. Based on this and the earlier study, a hybrid process is proposed, where UV-C surface treatment and vacuum assisted microwave are combined with air drying to increase the shelf life and control the quality.Industrial relevanceA hybrid industrial process is proposed, where UV-C surface treatment and vacuum assisted microwave treatment are combined to increase the shelf life and control the quality of hazelnuts.     

Growth and biosynthesis of aflatoxin by Aspergillus parasiticus in cultures containing nisin

Nisin, 200 or 5000 Reading units/ml, was added to Aspergillus parasiticus cultures. The cultures were incubated at 28 degrees C for 3, 7 or 10 days and analyzed for mycelial dry weight, pH and accumulation of aflatoxin B1 and G1. During the first 3 days of incubation, dry weight, pH decrease and aflatoxin accumulation were suppressed by nisin, when compared with similar values for the nisin-free control. After longer incubation, differences in dry weight nd pH values decreased, whereas accumulation of aflatoxin in the nisin-containing cultures surpassed that of the control.     

Growth and biosynthesis of aflatoxin by Aspergillus parasiticus in cultures containing nisin

Summary Nisin, 200 or 5000 Reading units/ml, was added toAspergillus parasiticus cultures. The cultures were incubated at 28 °C for 3, 7 or 10 days and analyzed for mycelial dry weight, pH and accumulation of aflatoxin B₁ and G₁. During the first 3 days of incubation, dry weight, pH decrease and aflatoxin accumulation were suppressed by nisin, when compared with similar values for the nisin-free control. After longer incubation, differences in dry weight and pH values decreased, whereas accumulation of aflatoxin in the nisin-containing cultures surpassed that of the control.

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Wachstum und Aflatoxin-Biosynthese von Aspergillus parasiticus in Nisin-enthaltenden Kulturen

Zusammenfassung Nisin (200 oder 5000 Reading-Einheiten/ml) wurdeAspergillus parasiticus Kulturen zugegeben. Die Kulturen wurden bei 28 °C für 3, 7 oder 10 Tage bebrütet und auf Mycel-Trockengewicht, pH und Aflatoxin-Inhalt geprüft. Während der ersten drei Tage wurden das Wachstum und die Aflatoxin-Biosynthese durch Nisin etwas gehemmt, nach längere Incubation jedoch gefördert.

     

Inhibition of growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus by citrus oils

Summary Aspergillus parasiticus was inoculated into grapefruit juice and a glucose-yeast extract medium; both contained 500–7000 ppm of citrus oils that were incorporated into the media by sonication. Orange and lemon oil were more inhibitory to mold growth and aflatoxin production than was d-limonene, the main constituent of the two peel oils. After 7 days at 28° C, 2000 ppm of lemon and 3000 ppm of orange oil in grapefruit juice afforded maximum suppression of mold growth and toxin formation. When the glucose-yeast extract medium was used, 3000 ppm of either oil were needed to achieve the same result. After 4 days at 28° C, orange oil at 3500 ppm in either medium markedly inhibited mold growth (as evidenced by dry weight of mold mycelium) and aflatoxin production (only 14 and 1% of the amount normally produced in the juice and artificial medium, respectively). Higher concentrations of orange oil further reduced mold growth and aflatoxin production and also delayed the onset of sporulation, if it occurred. Although aflatoxin was detected in all samples, only 0.2 to 0.5% of the amount found in controls (without the citrus oil) was present when the medium contained 7000 ppm orange oil. The mold consistently grew, albeit very poorly, on the glass at the liquid-atmosphere interface even when the substrate contained a large amount of citrus oil.

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Hemmung des Wachstums und der Aflatoxinproduktion von Aspergillus parasiticus durch Orangenöl, Citronenöl und d-Limonen

Zusammenfassung Pampelmusensaft und ein Glucose-Hefeextrakt-Medium wurden beide mit 500–7000 ppm Orangenöl, Citronenöl oder d-Limonen angereichert und dann mitAspergillus parasiticus beimpft. Wachstum und Aflatoxinproduktion des Pilzes wurden stärker durch die Öle als durch d-Limonen gehemmt, obwohl dieser der Hauptbestandteil der beiden Öle ist. 2000 ppm Citronenöl bzw. 3000 ppm Orangenöl in Pampelmusensaft genügten zur starken Hemmung der Wachstums- and der Aflatoxinproduktion vonA. parasiticus während 7 Tage bei 28° C. Wenn Glucose-Hefeextrakt als Nährboden diente, dann wiesen bei 3000 ppm beide Öle gleiche Hemmung auf. Wenn beide Nahrboden nur 4 Tage bei 28° C gehalten wurden, dann waren 3500 ppm Orangendl notwendig, um Wachstum and Aflatoxinproduktion zu hemmen. Pampelmusensaft mit einem Orangenöl-Gehalt von 3500 ppm enthielt nur 14% der Aflatoxin-Menge des beimpften Saftes ohne Öl. Das Medium mit Glucose, Hefeextrakt und Orangendl hatte nur 1 % des Aflatoxin-Gehaltes der Kontrolle. Höhere Konzentrationen von Orangenöl hemmten noch stärker und verzögerten den Beginn der Konidienbildung. Wenn das Medium 7000 ppm Orangenöl enthielt, dann konnte nur geringes Pilzwachstum und Aflatoxinproduktion (0,2–0,5% der Kontrolle) beobachtet wurden; das minimale Wachstum des Pilzes geschah an der Grenzfläche Nährboden und Atmosphare.

     

Growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus in a medium at different pH values and with or without pimaricin

A glucose-yeast extract-salt medium containing 0, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 or 20 micrograms pimaricin/ml with an initial pH of 3.5 or 5.5 was inoculated with Aspergillus parasiticus WB 108 and incubated at 15 degrees or 28 degrees C. The pH, weight of mycelium and amount of aflatoxin produced were determined after 3, 7, and 10 days and after 14, 21, and 30 days when incubation was at 28 degrees or 15 degrees C, respectively. Increasing the concentration of pimaricin in the medium with an initial pH of 5.5 decreased the amounts of aflatoxin B1 and G1 produced after 3 days of incubation. When the initial pH of the medium was 3.5, no growth or toxin production occurred after 3 days of incubation in the medium containing 7.5 micrograms or more of pimaricin/ml. The presence of 20 micrograms of pimaricin/ml inhibited growth and toxin production after 7 days of incubation. When cultures were incubated at 15 degrees C, there was a lag phase which extended from 9 to 16 days, and the amounts of aflatoxin produced decreased with an increasing concentration of pimaricin. Pimaricin did not completely inhibit the growth and aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. Pimaricin, in combination with a low pH, low temperature or 4% or 6% NaCl, initially caused slow mycelial growth and low toxin production, but the mold overcame the inhibitory effects and produced substantial amounts of mycelium and toxin.     

Mathematical models to predict kinetic behavior and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus under various temperature and water activity conditions

Mathematical models were developed to predict fungal growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus. Fungal growth and aflatoxin concentrations were measured. The Baranyi model was fitted to fungal growth and toxin production data to calculate kinetic parameters. Quadratic polynomial and Gaussian models were then fitted to μ_max and LPD (lag phase duration) values. The ranges of temperature and a _w values showing a μ_max value increase were 15–35°C and 0.891–0.984, respectively. LPD was only observed when the temperature was 20–35°C with a _w=0.891?0.972. The μ_{max growth} value increased up to 35°C with \(b_w = 0.2\left( {b_w = \sqrt {1 - a_w } } \right)\) , then values declined. LPD_growth values increased as the b _w value increased. The μ_max value for aflatoxins increased up to 25°C, but decreased after 30°C, indicating that the developed models are useful for describing the kinetic behavior of Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production.     

Effect of anilinopyrimidine resistance on aflatoxin production and fitness parameters in Aspergillus parasiticus Speare

Mutants of Aspergillus parasiticus resistant to the anilinopyrimidine fungicides were isolated at a high mutation frequency after UV-mutagenesis and selection on media containing cyprodinil. In vitro fungitoxicity tests resulted in the identification of two predominant resistant phenotypes that were highly (R₁-phenotype) and moderately (R₂-phenotype) resistant to the anilinopyrimidines cyprodinil, pyrimethanil and mepanipyrim. Cross-resistance studies with fungicides from other chemical groups showed that the highly resistance mutation(s) did not affect the sensitivity of R₁-mutant strains to fungicides affecting other cellular pathways. Contrary to that, a reduction in the sensitivity to the triazoles epoxiconazole and flusilazole, the benzimidazole carbendazim, the phenylpyrrole fludioxonil, the dicarboximide iprodione and to the strobilurin-type fungicide pyraclostrobin was observed in R₂-mutant strains. Study of fitness parameters of anilinopyrimidine-resistant strains of both phenotypic classes showed that all R₁ mutant strains had mycelial growth rate, sporulation and conidial germination similar to or even higher than the wild-type parent strain, while these fitness parameters were negatively affected in R₂ mutant strains. Analysis of the aflatoxin production showed that most R₁ mutant strains produced aflatoxins at concentrations markedly higher than the wild-type parent strain. A considerable reduction in the aflatoxin production was observed on cultured medium and on wheat grains by all R₂ mutant strains, indicating a possible correlation between fitness penalties and aflatoxigenic ability of A. parasiticus. The potential risk of increased aflatoxin contamination of agricultural products and their byproducts by the appearance and predominance of highly aflatoxigenic mutant strains of A. parasiticus resistant to the anilinopyrimidines is discussed.     

Inhibitory effects of Satureja hortensis L. essential oil on growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus

In an effort to screen the essential oils of some Iranian medicinal plants for novel aflatoxin (AF) inhibitors, Satureja hortensis L. was found as a potent inhibitor of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) and G1(AFG1) production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999. Fungal growth was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Separation of the plant inhibitory substance(s) was achieved using initial fractionation of its effective part (leaf essential oil; LEO) by silica gel column chromatography and further separation by reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). These substances were finally identified as carvacrol and thymol, based on the interpretation of 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Microbioassay (MBA) on cell culture microplates contained potato-dextrose broth (PDB) medium (4 days at 28 degrees C) and subsequent analysis of cultures with HPLC technique revealed that both carvacrol and thymol were able to effectively inhibit fungal growth, AFB1 and AFG1 production in a dose-dependent manner at all two-fold concentrations from 0.041 to 1.32 mM. The IC50 values for growth inhibition were calculated as 0.79 and 0.86 mM for carvacrol and thymol, while for AFB1 and AFG1, it was reported as 0.50 and 0.06 mM for carvacrol and 0.69 and 0.55 mM for thymol. The results obtained in this study clearly show a new biological activity for S. hortensis L. as strong inhibition of aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. Carvacrol and thymol, the effective constituents of S. hortensis L., may be useful to control aflatoxin contamination of susceptible crops in the field.     

Novel techniques for controlling the growth of and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus in packaged peanuts

The effects of modified atmosphere packaging involving oxygen absorbents, storage temperature and packaging film barrier characteristics on the growth of and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus in packaged peanuts was investigated. Mold growth was barely visible in air-packaged peanuts using a high gas barrier film (ASI) while extensive mold growth was observed in peanuts packaged under similar gaseous conditions using a low barrier film (ASIII). Incorporation of an oxygen absorbent (Ageless type S) inhibited mold growth in peanuts packaged in film ASI, while mold growth occurred in peanuts packaged with an absorbent/carbon dioxide generator (Ageless type G) in film ASI and in all absorbent-packaged peanuts in film ASIII. Aflatoxin B₁ production was detected at levels greater than the regulatory limit of 20 ng g^-1 in air-packaged peanuts using film ASI at 20°C and 25°C with the maximum level of aflatoxin (52·95 ng g^-1) being detected in air-packaged peanuts using film ASIII. However, aflatoxin production in all absorbent-packaged peanut samples was less than the regulatory level of 20 ng g^-1 irrespective of the barrier characteristics of the packaging film. Discoloration was more intensive in air-packaged peanuts in film ASIII especially at 25°C and 30°C than those packaged under similar or modified gaseous conditions using film ASI. This study has shown that oxygen absorbent technology is a simple and effective means of controlling the growth of and aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. However, the effectiveness of these absorbents is dependent on the gas barrier properties of the packaging film surrounding the product.     

Aflatoxin can be degraded by the mycelium of aspergillus parasiticus.

Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 were degraded by the 8- and 16-day old but not by the 4-day old mycelium of a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus. The 16-day old mycelium degraded the toxin more rapidly than did the 8-day old mycelium. Degradation of toxin by the mycelium was similar at pH 2.5 and 6.0.     

Interaction of water activity and temperature on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in irradiated maize seeds.

The effects of aw (0.90, 0.95, 0.98) and temperature (25 degrees C, 30 degrees C, 35 degrees C) on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus growing on irradiated maize seeds, were examined. Highest levels of aflatoxin were produced by A. parasitious at 25 degrees C and 0.98 aw and by A. flavus at 30 degrees C at 0.95 and 0.98 aw. At 0.90 aw toxin production was consistently low for both species at all temperatures. Temperature cycling of A. flavus between 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C each for 12 h resulted in higher aflatoxin synthesis than when incubated either at 25 degrees C or 35 degrees C.     

Potential use of phenolic antioxidants on peanut to control growth and aflatoxin B1 accumulation by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus

Food‐grade antioxidants: butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl paraben (PP) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (10 and 20 mmol g^?1) and all the mixtures of these chemicals were tested for inhibitory activity on the growth of and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) accumulation by Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus on irradiated (7 kGy) peanut grains. Also, the influence of these treatments was evaluated in different water conditions (0.982, 0.955, 0.937a_w) at 11 and 35 days of incubation at 28 °C. Water activity (a_w) affected the fungal growth, no fungal development was observed at the highest stress water condition (0.937a_w). Butylated hydroxyanisole at 10 mmol g^?1 level and all the mixtures with PP and/or BHT were significantly effective (P = 0.05) in increasing lag phase and reducing growth rate and colony forming units per gram of peanut of both Aspergillus section Flavi strains and AFB₁ accumulation. The application of BHA at concentrations of 20 mmol g^?1 alone or with PP and/or BHT totally inhibited fungal growth at 11 and 35 days of incubation. The results suggest that the addition of these chemical mixtures on peanut grains at low levels has potential to impact synergically on the control of Aspergillus section Flavi. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Cycling Temperatures on Aflatoxin Production by Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus in Rice and Cheddar Cheese

Initiation of growth, sporulation and aflatoxin production at cycling temperatures took less time than at 15°C but more than at 18°C and 25°C. A. parasiticus produced more aflatoxins on rice under cycling temperatures than at 25°C, 18°C or 15°C, while A. flavus produced less aflatoxin under cycling temperatures. A. parasiticus produced more aflatoxins on cheese under cycling temperatures than at 18°C or 15°C, but much less than at 25°C. A. flavus produced less aflatoxins on cheese under cycling temperatures than at 18°C and 25°C. Both organisms produced trace amounts of toxins at 15°C on cheese. Preincubation at 25°C for 2 days before temperature cycling did not increase aflatoxin production on rice but increased production on cheese. The rate of aflatoxin production on cheese decreased as the temperature decreased. No growth, sporulation or aflatoxin production was observed at 5°C on either rice or cheese.