To determine whether ochratoxin is produced by species of Aspergillus other than A. ochraceus, 44 strains representative of the nine species composing the A. ochraceus group were grown on both pearled wheat and cracked corn in duplicate shaken flasks at 28 C for 5 days. Rice was a poor substrate for production of ochratoxin. Molded substrates were extracted with acetonitrile-water; partially pu...

The goal of the study was to evaluate the ability of filamentous fungi to biotransform the pentacyclic triterpene lupeol. The microbial transformations were carried out in shake flasks in different media. Experiments were also run with control flasks. Samples of each culture were taken every 24 hours, extracted with ethyl acetate, and analyzed by GC-MS. The biotransformation of lupeol by Asperg...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin which is a common contaminant in grains during storage. Aspergillus ochraceus is the most common producer of OTA. Essential oils play a crucial role as a biocontrol in the reduction of fungal contamination. Essential oils namely natural cinnamaldehyde, cinnamon oil, synthetic cinnamaldehyde, Litsea citrate oil, citral, eugenol, peppermint, eucalyptus, anise and...

The majority of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus fungi are immunosuppressive agents, and their cytotoxicity may impair defense mechanisms in humans. The objective of the study was evaluation of the cytotoxicity of fungi isolated from an environment where inpatients with impaired immunity were present. The materials comprised 57 fungal strains: Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger: Aspergi...

One hundred forty-four microorganisms previously isolated from coffee fruit (Coffea arabica) were grown on casein agar to evaluate their proteolytic activities. Fifty percent of filamentous fungi, 52.5% of bacteria and 2.6% of yeasts were able to secrete proteases. Positive isolates were further examined in liquid culture for their protease activities by hydrolysis of casein at different pH val...

Article history: Received on: 24/02/2016 Revised on: 12/04/2016 Accepted on: 07/05/2016 Available online: 28/06/2016 Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have potential antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. The synthesis of AgNPs have been reported using several chemical and physical methods which are not friendly environment. Therefore, our technique has focused on the synthesis of AgNPs ...

This paper deals with the biosynthetic capacity for ochratoxin A (OTA) production by Aspergillus ochraceus E'G isolate derived from A. ochraceus CBS 108.08 strain, during 2007. Preliminary analysis of fungal potential for the production of OTA were performed according to the modified method of F i l t e n b o r g et al. (1983). Toxin production was tested in the following liquid media: (i) gluc...