Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of sorbic acid and several derivatives of fatty acids (amides, aminimides, and monoglycerides) upon toxigenic cultures of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. A synthetic medium was inoculated with spores, incubated for 48 h at 27°C, and then supplemented with sorbic acid and fatty acid derivatives. Cultures were then incubated for an additional 5 days. Aflatoxins were extracted, separated, and quantitated. Mycelial mats were dried, weighed, and analyzed for lipid and mineral content. Cerulenin (8 μg/ml) was the most effective fatty acid derivative examined, reducing mycelial growth by 37% and completely inhibiting extracellular accumulation of aflatoxins. Other derivatives, in decreasing order of effectiveness, included M‐20 (an aminimide), lauribic, and lauricidin. Mycelia grown in the presence of fatty acid derivatives contained less phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine, cholesterol, and triglycerides, but more cardiolipin, phosphatidyl choline, free fatty acids, fatty acid esters, and diglycerides. Levels of monoglycerides and cholesterol esters remained essentially unchanged. Inhibition by sorbic acid was nonspecific, affecting both mycelial growth and extracellular aflatoxin accumulation to approximately the same extent. Utilization of fatty acid derivatives for determining mechanisms of aflatoxin accumulation and lipid biosynthesis appears promising.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.