Effect of aluminium and nickel on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus

Effect of nickel and aluminium was studied on aflatoxin and lipid production by two strains of Aspergillus flavus in a sucrose-asparagine-salts medium. Inclusion of aluminium in the medium established an inverse relationship between aflatoxin and lipid production. At lower concentrations aluminium stimulated aflatoxin production, whereas at higher concentrations it stimulated total lipid production. Nickel at higher concentrations resulted in an increase in total aflatoxin production. However, no definite correlation was observed between total aflatoxin and total lipid production when nickel was included in the medium.