This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Paster, N Articles by Menasherov, M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Paster, N Articles by Menasherov, M Agricola Articles by Paster, N Articles by Menasherov, M

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1988 February; 54(2): 540-543

Inhibition of T-2 toxin production on high-moisture corn kernels by modified atmospheres.

Department of Stored Products, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel.

ABSTRACT

The fungus Fusarium sporotrichioides, capable of producing T-2 toxin (T-2), was grown on irradiated corn kernels remoistened to 22% and kept in atmospheres of different CO2-O2 combinations. The production of T-2 was totally inhibited under 60% CO2-20% O2, whereas only trace amounts were detected when the gas combination was 40% CO2-5% O2. Under all other combinations tested, the amount of T-2 produced was reduced by 25 to 50% as compared with the control. Fungal growth was not inhibited by any of the gas mixtures examined, and the growth rate (measured by direct plating, dilution method, and CO2 production) was almost identical to that in grains kept under air. It is concluded that although F. sporotrichioides is tolerant to high CO2 levels, T-2 formation on corn can be inhibited by CO2 concentrations less than that required to inhibit fungal growth.