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Quantification of Fungal Colonization, Sporogenesis, and Production of Mycotoxins Using Kernel Bioassays
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Quantification of Fungal Colonization, Sporogenesis, and Production of Mycotoxins Using Kernel Bioassays

Published on: April 23, 2012

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Patulin Production by Some Fungal Species in Relation to Water Activity and Temperature

M D Northolt1, H P VAN Egmond1, W E Paulsch1

  • 1Laboratory for Zoonoses and Food Microbiology and Laboratory for Chemical Analysis of Foodstuffs National Institute of Public Health, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

Journal of Food Protection
|March 1, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Water activity and temperature significantly impact fungal growth and patulin production. Penicillium expansum, Penicillium patulum, and Aspergillus clavatus exhibit varying minimum water activity and temperature ranges for patulin synthesis.

Area of Science:

  • Food microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Food safety

Background:

  • Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by several fungal species, posing a risk to food safety.
  • Understanding the environmental factors influencing patulin production is crucial for risk assessment and control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined effects of water activity (aw) and temperature on the growth and patulin production of Penicillium expansum, Penicillium patulum, and Aspergillus clavatus.
  • To determine the minimum aw and temperature ranges for patulin production by these fungi.
  • To assess patulin accumulation and fungal invasiveness in different apple varieties.

Main Methods:

  • Malt agar media with adjusted aw using sucrose or glycerine.
  • Incubation at various temperatures to determine growth and patulin production ranges.
  • Inoculation of apple varieties to assess rot and patulin accumulation.

Main Results:

  • Minimum aw for patulin production: P. expansum (0.99), P. patulum (0.95), A. clavatus (0.99).
  • Temperature ranges for patulin production: P. expansum (0-24°C), P. patulum (4-31°C), A. clavatus (12-24°C).
  • P. expansum caused rot and patulin in apples; patulin accumulation varied by apple variety. P. patulum did not invade Golden Delicious apples.

Conclusions:

  • Water activity and temperature are critical factors influencing fungal growth and patulin production.
  • Different fungal species and strains exhibit distinct environmental optima for patulin synthesis.
  • Strain variability and apple cultivar significantly affect mycotoxin accumulation and fungal invasiveness.

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