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Quantification of Fungal Colonization, Sporogenesis, and Production of Mycotoxins Using Kernel Bioassays
10:01

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

Published on: April 23, 2012

Mold spectrum of four cereal brands of the German crop 1995

M Weidenbörner1, M Berleth, J Krämer

  • 1Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie, Universität Giessen, Germany.

Die Nahrung
|June 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) were measured in 80 cereal grain samples. Fungal analysis revealed Alternaria and Cladosporium as dominant genera, with potential mycotoxin contamination discussed.

Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Mycology
  • Food Science

Background:

  • Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) are significant components of cereal grains.
  • Understanding the mycoflora associated with cereal grains is crucial for food safety.
  • Previous research has explored fungal contamination in grains, but EPS-specific analysis is less common.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) concentration in German cereal grain samples from the 1995 harvest.
  • To identify and characterize the total and internal mycoflora of high-EPS winter wheat and rye.
  • To assess the impact of surface disinfection on mycoflora determination.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) in 80 cereal grain samples.
  • Fungal isolation and identification on malt-salt agar (5% NaCl).
  • Surface disinfection of grains using 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to determine internal mycoflora.

Main Results:

  • The study investigated the EPS concentration in 80 cereal grain samples from the 1995 German harvest.
  • Dominant fungal genera identified were Alternaria spp. and Cladosporium spp., with Aureobasidium pullulans, Fusarium spp., and Epicoccum purpurascens present in lower amounts.
  • Surface disinfection significantly reduced the number and types of fungi detected, indicating its effectiveness in differentiating external and internal mycoflora.

Conclusions:

  • Alternaria and Cladosporium species are the primary fungal contaminants in the investigated cereal grains.
  • The presence of these fungi raises concerns about potential mycotoxin contamination in the cereal harvest.
  • Further research is warranted to evaluate the mycotoxin levels associated with these fungal genera in cereal grains.

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