Development of Aspergillus parasiticus and formation of aflatoxin B1 under the influence of conidiogenesis affecting compounds.

The influence of various inhibitors of hyphal growth, sporulation and biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1 in Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL2999 was studied. 6-Thioguanine, DL-ethionine, fluoroacetic acid and phenylboric acid, inhibitors of maturation of fungal conidiophores and of conidiogenesis, were added at various concentrations to malt extract agar. Lower concentrations of 6-thioguanine and DL-ethionine did not inhibit the growth of hyphae and the sporulation. Phenylboric acid reduced conidiogenesis more than hyphal growth. The yields of aflatoxin B1 were significantly reduced. Additions of fluoroacetic acid did not greatly affect the growth of hyphae but totally inhibited the production of conidia and concurrently significantly reduced the formation of aflatoxin B1. An interrelation between conidiogenesis and onset of secondary metabolism in A. parasiticus is evident.