Effect of a w and CO₂ level on Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in high moisture maize post-harvest
2008
Giorni, Paola | Battilani, Paola | Pietri, Amedeo | Magan, N (Naresh)
The potential for using modified atmospheres of 25-75% CO₂ (balanced with N₂) and water activity (a w, 0.95, 0.92) to control Aspergillus flavus development and aflatoxin B₁ production has been evaluated (a) on synthetic medium and (b) on maize grain during storage for up to 21 days at 25 °C. On agar medium up to 75% CO₂ at both 0.95 and 0.92 a w significant inhibition of growth was obtained (P <0.05). In stored grain inoculated with spores of A. flavus there was significantly higher populations of the species at 0.95 a w than 0.92 a w. Up to 75% CO₂ resulted in an inhibition of the populations of A. flavus isolated from the grain. Contrasting aflatoxin B₁ production was obtained on agar and in stored maize grain. On agar, greatest amounts were produced at 0.92 a w, while more was produced at 0.95 a w on maize grain. Overall, the efficacy of controlled atmospheresx a w showed that treatment with 25% CO₂ could be sufficient to efficiently reduce A. flavus development but at least 50% CO₂ was required to obtain a significant reduction of aflatoxin synthesis.
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