The effect of different wavelengths of light on polyketide metabolism in Alternaria alternata

Abstract

The effect of visible light on alternariol content in the mold Alternaria alternata was investigated. When the mold was irradiated with white light at moderate fluence rates the mycelia contained little or no alternariol in comparison with dark controls. This reduction of alternariol content in mycelia was due primarily to blue light, although red light also resulted in a slight decrease. The results show that red light above 700 nm also inhibits alternariol synthesis. The suppressive effect of blue light was fluence rate dependent; however, very low fluence rates also caused inhibition. Growth and conidiation were not affected by the light treatments.