RT Journal T1 EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON OCHRATOXIN A PRODUCTION IN COMMON CEREALS BY ASPERGILLUS SPECIES A1 R. Ali A1 M. Ismail A1 J. A. Bhalli A1 A. Mobeen A1 Q. M. Khan JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JO JAPS SN 1018-7081 VO 23 IS 5 SP 1316 OP 1320 YR 2013 FD 2013/10/01 DO DOI NA AB

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a naturally occurring fungal metabolite produced by some species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. OTA being nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, hepatotoxic and immunosuppressive imparts many human and animal health hazards. In this study OTA production was observed at different temperatures (5ºC, 10ºC, 20ºC, 30ºC and 40ºC) in three substrates (corn, rice and wheat) by A. ochraceus and A. sulphureus. These two fungal species were grown on aforementioned substrates for three weeks separately. It was quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) using the florescent detector. The samples were considered positive for OTA if the peak was obtained at the retention time of 6.34 minutes. OTA was produced at all studied temperatures and in all substrates but the maximum OTA production was observed (1.87±0.021 µg/g) at 30ºC in corn by the Aspergillus ochraceus where as it was minimum at 5ºC in wheat by both species i.e. A. ochraceus (0.19±0.021 µg/g) and A. sulphureus (0.09±0.046 µg/g). Our results indicate that production of OTA by both species of fungus A. ochraceus and A. sulphureus depends upon temperature and substrate and the production in cereals was significantly higher than the maximum permitted level in cereals (5ng/g) as described by the European Union regulation commission and other agencies in the world.

K1 Ochratoxin A; Temperatures; Cereals; Aspergillus species PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2013-JAPS-515