[Penicillium-species fungi--producers of ochratoxin A in grain]

The occurrence of ochratoxin A and ochratoxigenic fungi in the commercial batches of various domestic grains (wheat, rye, barley, corn and rice) has been studied. Penicillium cyclopium, P. viridicatum and P. chrysogenum isolated from grain synthesized on a sucrose-yeast medium predominantly patulin, penicillic and kojic acids. Only 4.4% of the fungal isolates were able to synthesize ochratoxin A. The concentration of the mycotoxin accumulated by the fungi was less than 500 micrograms/kg. 230 samples of wheat and 502 samples of corn were examined. The analysis showed that ochratoxin A was present in 0.9% and 0.1% of samples tested, respectively. The mycotoxin accumulated in grain mainly during its spontaneous heating and was concentrated in mold-damaged kernels.