Aspergillus parasiticus Growth and Aflatoxin Synthesis on Florunner Peanuts Grown in Gypsum-Supplemented Soil

Cindy L C Reding; Mark A Harrison; Craig K Kvien

doi:10.4315/0362-028X-56.7.593

Aspergillus parasiticus Growth and Aflatoxin Synthesis on Florunner Peanuts Grown in Gypsum-Supplemented Soil

J Food Prot. 1993 Jul;56(7):593-594. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X-56.7.593.

Authors

Cindy L C Reding¹, Mark A Harrison¹, Craig K Kvien²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602.
² Department of Agronomy, Coastal Plains Experiment Station, University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia 31793.

PMID: 31113045
DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X-56.7.593

Abstract

Five levels of gypsum supplementation (0, 550, 1100, 2200, and 4400 kg ha^-1) were applied to peanut fields 35 d after planting. After the growing season, peanuts were harvested, ground, and inoculated with 1 × 10⁷ Aspergillus parasiticus (NRRL 5139) conidia. After 14 d at 25°C, aflatoxin was extracted and quantified by thin-layer chromatography. Fungal growth was assayed using a modified chitin assay. Peanuts from gypsum-supplemented fields at each level of supplementation supported significantly less aflatoxin production when compared to control peanuts (no calcium supplementation). Results from the chitin assay showed a decrease in fungal biomass which correlated with the decreased aflatoxin synthesis.