Aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 and Aspergillus parasiticus MTCC 411 under laboratory conditions

A method has been developed for the production of aflatoxin by growing Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 and Aspergillus parasiticus MTCC 411 on maize and rice substrates where the effect of moisture, temperature and incubation period was studied. The highest production of aflatoxin (0.995 g/kg maize) by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 was recorded at 35 per cent moisture and 30°C temperature in 7 days of incubation period, whereas, in case of Aspergillus parasiticus MTCC 411, maximum aflatoxin production (0.665 g/kg maize) was recorded at 30 per cent moisture and 30°C temperature in 14 days of incubation period. On rice substrate, the maximum production of aflatoxin (0.835g/kg rice) by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 was recorded at 30 percent moisture and 30°C temperature on 7 days of incubation period, however, in case of Aspergillus parasiticus MTCC 411, maximum yield of aflatoxin (0.605g/kg rice) was recorded at 35 percent moisture and 30°C temperature on 14 days of incubation period. The mycotoxigenecity of Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 was higher as compared to Aspergillus parasiticus MTCC 411 and the maximum yield of aflatoxin was obtained between 30 and 35 per cent moisture and at 30°C temperature on 7 days of incubation for Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 and 14 days of incubation for Aspergillus parasiticus MTCC 411.