Micromycetes as toxin producers detected on raw material of plant origin grown under various conditions in Lithuania

In 2003–2006, micromycetes – potential producers of mycotoxins – were detected and their taxonomic dependence as well as ability to produce toxins under various growth conditions were assessed. Accumulation regularities of toxin-producing micromycetes in vegetables, fruit, berries, herbs, grain, seeds and their products were found out. Factors determining fungal abilities to produce various toxins and excrete them into food raw material are discussed. Potential producers of toxic secondary metabolites were detected during processing of food raw material of plant origin. Such micromycetes were Alternaria alternata, A. citri, A. cucumerina, Aspergillus candidus, A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, A. parasiticus, A. sulphureus, A. ustus, A. versicolor, Cylindrocarpon destructans, Drechslera sorokiniana, Fusarium culmorum, F. equiseti, F. graminearum, F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. poae, F. proliferatum, F. solani, F. sporotrichioides, Penicillium aurantiogriseum, P. chrysogenum, P. claviforme, P. clavigerum, P. commune, P. corylophilum, P. crustosum, P. expansum, P. funiculosum, P. griseofulvum, P. palitans, P. spinulosum, P. variabile, P. viridicatum. The toxin-producing ability of fungi isolated from food raw material was tested and primary screening of active producers was conducted. The taxonomic position of strains of some toxicogenic fungi using molecular genetic methods was revised. The diversity and peculiarities of isolated micromycetes in relation to substrate specificity, climate conditions and the environment, particularly dustiness, moisture and temperature, are pointed out.