AFLATOXIN AND CYCLOPIAZONIC ACID PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS-FLAVUS ISOLATED FROM CONTAMINATED MAIZE

Seven truck-loads of maize were tested for mycotoxin contamination. Aflatoxin was identified in all 7 at concentrations from 3 ng/g-501 ng/g (aflatoxin B1 + B2). Cyclopiazonic acid was identified in 4 loads with concentrations from 25-250 ng/g. Deoxynivalenol was found in 4 of 5 loads tested, over a range of 46-676 ng/g. Ninteen isolates of Aspergillus flavus from the samples were tested for ability to accumulate cyclopiazonic acid and aflatoxin in liquid culture. Fourteen produced cyclopiazonic acid (0.5-135-mu-g/mL), 12 produced aflatoxin (0.01-0.70-mu-g/mL, aflatoxin B1 + B2), and one aflatoxin-producing isolate did not produce cyclopiazonic acid.