Fungi associated with dried fish in Sri Lanka

The mycoflora of dried-salted fish from markets in Kandy, Sri Lanka was studied with emphasis on visibly spoiled dried fish. A total of 61 fungal isolates from 25 dried-fish were isolated and identified. The most prevalent fungus was Aspergillus niger. Species of Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. glaucus, A. restrictus, Aureobasidium spp. Basipetospora halophila (a genuinely halophilic fungus) Cladosporium herbarum, Gliomastix, spp., Penicillium chalybeum and Penicillium expansum were present. The isolated fungi did not grow in synthetic media containing more than 30% sodium chloride. Aureobasidium spp. and Gliomastix spp. did not grow on dried-fish under laboratory conditions. The protective exoskeleton appeared to prevent fungal growth on dried shrimp. The A. flavus strains isolated were not aflatoxigenic.