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Submitted to: Mycopathologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/1994 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: A new method for growing a fungus that produces aflatoxins in preharvest corn has been developed. The method involves growing the fungus on a glass fiber disc containing the growth medium and affixed to a needle within a humidified vial. The method allows small amounts of compounds to be tested for effect on the growth and aflatoxin production of the fungus. The procedure will aid in testing extracts and compounds from lines of corn showing resistance to the fungus so that the specific factors involved in resistance may be identified. Technical Abstract: A new method for growing Aspergillus flavus for experimental studies is presented. The system consists of a humidified vial with a thick septum pierced by a pin on which a glass fiber disc is affixed. The disc contains the test solution and inoculum plus medium. The method has been used in studies to assess the effect of variations in culture conditions on production of aflatoxin B1 (AFT). It was found that AFT level was affected by method of inoculating the disc, the amount of medium placed on the disc and type of disc material. The results for different types of glass fiber discs was compared with AFT produced by fungus grown in liquid medium or on paper discs. There was a 14-fold increase in AFT for one type of disc over the vial culture. A crude phosphotidylcholine preparation was found to result in a 4-fold increase in AFT at a concentration of 0.7% of the medium. |
