USE OF CHLORELLA IN MYCOTOXIN AND PHYCOTOXIN RESEARCH

Chlorella pyrenoidosa has been shown to be sensitive to a number of coumarin-related compounds, including aflatoxin. In a liquid system the growth of Chlorella was measured turbidimetrically and the concentration of toxin giving half-maximum growth determined. Aflatoxin B1 was active at 4 μg. per ml. In an agar plate system paper disks containing test solutions were placed on agar plates uniformly seeded with Chlorella and zones of inhibition determined. Aflatoxin B1 at 12.5 μg. per disk showed inhibition. By inoculating Chlorella agar plates with mold cultures, the production of toxic substances could be demonstrated by the appearance of zones of inhibition preceding the mycelial growth. Toxic substances present in mushrooms or in red and brown algae could be demonstrated by placing fresh specimens directly on the agar surface. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.