Abstract
The aim of the present work was to determine the influence of Alternaria alternata upon aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus.
A mixture of spores of both strains was inoculated in sunflower seeds at 0,90 aw, and incubated for 42 days at 28 °C ±1.
The cultures were observed and analyzed every 7 days to determine the infection level of the seeds and the production of aflatoxins. Results showed that when the seeds were inoculated only with Aspergillus parasiticus, 100% were infected from the 7th day.
When Aspergillus parasiticus and Alternaria alternata were simultaneously inoculated the infection level of the seeds was 100% for Aspergillus parasiticus following 7 days of inoculation and 0% for Alternaria alternata. After the 14th day of inoculation there was no significant difference in the infection percentage of both strains (approximately 80% of each one). As far as toxin production is concerned a remarkable decrease was observed when seeds were inoculated with both strains simultaneously.
In accordance to the results, Alternaria alternata would not compete with Aspergillus parasiticus in colonization of seeds but would either degrade the aflatoxins by Aspergillus parasiticus or compete for aflatoxin biosynthesis precursors. Alternaria alternata could also secrete some substance that specifically inhibits aflatoxin synthesis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boller RA, Schroeder HW. Influence of Aspergillus candidus on production of aflatoxin in rice by Aspergillus parasíticus. Phytopatology 1974; 64: 121–123.
Boller RA, Schroeder HW. Influence of Aspergillus candidus and Aspergillus chevalieri on production of aflatoxin in rice of Aspergillus parasíticus. Phytopatology 1972; 63: 1507–1510.
Burroughs R, Seitz LM, Sauer DB, Mohr HE. Effect of substrate on metabolite production by Alternaria alternata. Appl Envir Microbiol 1976; 31: 685–90.
Ehrlich K. Effect on aflatoxin production of competition between wild-type and mutant strains of Aspergillus parasíticus. Mycopathología 1987; 97: 2, 93–96.
Ellis MB. Dermatiaceous Hyphomycetes Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, Surrey, England, 1971.
Haggblom P. Production of alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether and morphology of Alternaria alternata. Trans Br Mycol Soc 1981; 77: 6–20.
Hesseltine CW. Mycotoxins and other fungal related food problems advances in chemistry series 1976: 149: 1–22.
Horn BW & Wicklow DT. Factors influencing the inhibition of aflatoxin production in corn by Aspergillus niger. Can J Microbiol 1983; 29: 1087–1091.
Horowitz W. Methods of analysis of the association of official analytical chemist. 12th Edition. Association of official analytical chemist, Washington D.C. 1975; pp. 460–461.
Huynh VC, Lloyd AB. Synthesis and degradation of aflatoxins by Aspergillus parasíticus. I-Synthesis of aflatoxin B1 by young mycelium and its subsequent degradation in aging mycelium. Aust J Biol Sci 1984; 37: 37–43.
Marth EH, Doyle MP. Update on mold degradation of aflatoxin. Food Technology 1979; 33: 81–86.
Mujica MT, Bracalenti BJ. Eliminación de aflatoxinaB1 ‘in vitro’ por crecimiento de hongos competitivos. Rev Lat-Amer Microbiol 1985; 27: 169–174.
Raper KB, Fennell DI. The Genus Aspergillus, Baltimore, 1965. The Williams & Eilkins, Co.
Scott PM, Stoltz DR. Mutagens produced by Alternaria alternata. Mutation Res 1980; 78: 33–40.
Stinson EE, Billis DD, Osman SF, Siciliano J, Ceponis MJ, Hesiler EG. Micotoxin production by Alternaria species grown on apples, tomatoes and blueberries. J Agric Food Chem 1980; 28: 960–963.
Vandegraft E, Shotwell OL, Smith ML, Hesseltine CW. Mycotoxin production affected by insecticide treatment of wheat. The American Association of Cereal Chemist 1973; 50: 243–378.
Varsavsky E, Dalcero AM, Chulze S, Ramos B. Aflatoxinas y hongos toxicogénicos en semillas de girasol. La Alimentación Latinoamericana 1981; 130: 58–60.
Varsavsky E, Chulze S, Rizzo I, Dalcero AM. The occurrence of aflatoxin in sunflower seeds in Argentina. Int Conference on Mycotoxins, Cairo, 1983 (Personal Comunication).
Weckbach LS & Marth EH. Aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasíticus in a competitive environment. Mycopathología 1977; 62: 39–45.
Wicklow DT, Horn BW, Shotwell OL, Hesseltine CW & Caldiwell RS. Fungal interference with Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination of maize grown in a controlled environment. Phytopathology 1988; 78: 68–74.
Wicklow DT, Hesseltine CW, Shotwell OL & Adams GL. Interference competition and aflatoxin levels in corn. Phytopathology 1980; 70: 761–764.
Widstrom NW, Wilson DM & McMilliam WW. Aflatoxin contamination of preharvest corn as influenced by timing and method of inoculation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 1981; 42: 2 p. 249–251.
Windels CE, Windels MB & Kommedahl T. Association of Fusarium species with picnic beetles on corn ears. Phytopathology 1976; 66: 328–331.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dalcero, A., Chulze, S., Etcheverry, M. et al. Aflatoxins in sunflower seeds: Influence of Alternaria alternata on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus . Mycopathologia 108, 31–35 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436781
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436781