Effect of Corn Steep Liquor on Mycelial Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Aspergillus parasiticus

TLDR: Although both growth of the fungus and aflatoxin production are stimulated by the addition of corn steep to the basic medium, the stimulation of toxin production is much greater than fungus growth.

Abstract: Total aflatoxin concentrations produced by Aspergillus parasiticus, isolate 64-R8, in Czapek9s broth fortified with corn steep liquor increased proportionately as the concentration of corn steep was increased from 0.5 to 8.0% (v/v) until maximal growth, as measured by dry mycelial weight, was reached. Thereafter, aflatoxin concentrations declined more rapidly than the rate of autolysis of mycelial material. Data are presented which indicate that the concentration of corn steep liquor also affects the ratio of production of aflatoxin B1 and B2 to that of aflatoxin G1 and G2. Further, this ratio also varies with time of incubation. Although both growth of the fungus and aflatoxin production are stimulated by the addition of corn steep to the basic medium, the stimulation of toxin production is much greater than fungus growth.