Bioproduction of ochratoxin A and penicillic acid by members of the Aspergillus ochraceus group

Abstract

Various strains of species belonging to the Aspergillus ochraceus group (A. ochraceus, A. sclerotiorum, A. alliaceus, A. ostianus, A. melleus, and A. sulphureus) can produce two mycotoxins, ochratoxin A and penicillic acid, on liquid media and in cereal grains. The quantity of each toxin produced is influenced by temperature; low temperature (10 and 20C) favor penicillic acid synthesis and higher (28C), ochratoxin A production. Generally penicillic acid is produced in yields about one to three magnitudes greater than ochratoxin A. A simple fluorodensitometric method for concomitant quantitative analysis of the two toxins has been developed based on conversion of penicillic acid and ochratoxin A to fluorescent derivatives by treatment with ammonia fumes.