The effect of pH and NaCl on the aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus

Aspergillus parasiticus causes adverse effects on its consumers of food infected with this fungal toxins by producing aflatoxin B1. In this study, the effects of different treatments of pH and NaCl concentration on the growth and toxin production of this fungus was investigated using three methods including coconut-agar medium, TLC, and HPLC. Based on our examinations, the aflatoxins produced by this fungus had fluorescence effect under UV light. The highest growth and production toxin of A. parasiticus was, respectively, occurred at pH 6 and 5 and NaCl concentration of 3 and 0 percent. High concentrations of salt suppressed this fungi growth and consequently its toxin production. Aflatoxin B1 was the most common toxin produced by A. parasiticus. As a result, by controlling these two factors, the growth and aflatoxin production of this fungus can be largely inhibited to avoid its adverse effects.