GROWTH AND AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION BY ASPERGILLUS-PARASITICUS NRRL-2999 AS AFFECTED BY THE FUNGICIDE IPRODIONE

Spores of Aspergillus parasiticus strain NRRL 2999 were inoculated into yeast extract sucrose broth containing different levels of iprodione (0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mug/ml) and incubated at 25-degrees-C for 4, 7, 10, 14, and 21 d. Iprodione inhibited mold growth and subsequent toxin production, beginning at the 5 mug/g level up to 7 d of incubation. Results showed that as the iprodione level increased, more time was required by the organism to initiate mycelial development. At any given time, the lower the iprodione level, the more dry mycelial weight and aflatoxin production (B1, B2, G1, and G2) were observed.