Investigation of aflatoxin production in three different Aspergillus species

Barbara Tóth-Buella; Levente Horváth; László Kredics; Csaba Vágvölgyi; Tamás Papp; Tibor Bartók; Mónika Varga; András Szekeres

doi:10.14232/abs.2024.1.38-45

Authors

Barbara Tóth-Buella University of Szeged https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6086-8819
Levente Horváth Fumizol Ltd., Szeged, Hungary
László Kredics University of Szeged https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8837-3973
Csaba Vágvölgyi University of Szeged https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0009-7773
Tamás Papp University of Szeged https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8211-5431
Tibor Bartók Fumizol Ltd., Szeged, Hungary
Mónika Varga University of Szeged
András Szekeres University of Szeged https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1651-4623

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14232/abs.2024.1.38-45

Keywords:

Aspergillus parasiticus, aflatoxin, cultivation conditions

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by molds, particularly by Aspergillus species, with their production influenced by various environmental and other factors. The growth and physiology of fungi are affected by factors such as temperature, water activity, and time. The aim of this study was to identify the best aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus strain among known mycotoxigenic species and isolates and to fine-tune specific cultivation conditions to achieve the highest aflatoxin yield. For this purpose, aflatoxin production was tested in isolates belonging to Aspergillus pseudotamarii (1), A. minisclerotigenes (1), and A. parasiticus (3). The presence and quantity of aflatoxins were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Among the examined strains, A. parasiticus SZMC 22361 proved to be the most suitable toxin-producing strain. Our findings suggest that the optimal conditions for aflatoxin production by this isolate on a maize substrate involve a water-to-substrate ratio of 1:1 (m/m) over a production period of approximately one week.

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