ARS | Publication request: Sterigmatocystin production by nine newly described Aspergillus species in section Versicolores grown on two different media

Submitted to: Mycotoxins
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 30, 2013
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sterigmatocystin is a toxin made by certain molds in the Aspergillus group. It is carcinogenic and in large doses it is acutely poisonous to cattle. Molds making this toxin are often found on improperly stored forage crops and cereal grains. We recently discovered and named several new molds related to a group whose members often make sterigmatocystin. In this study, we determined that at least seven of the nine new molds produce sterigmatocystin. This information will be useful in assessing the potential for mycotoxin contamination of stored grains, other foods, and indoor air.

Technical Abstract: Nine recently described Aspergillus species and four known species in section Versicolores were tested for their ability to produce Nine recently described Aspergillus species and four known species in section Versicolores were tested for their ability to produce sterigmatocystin (ST) on two liquid media, Czapek w/20% Sucrose Broth and Yeast Extract Broth grown in the dark for one week at 25°C. Detection and quantification of ST were performed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry. Limit of detection was 3 ng/mL and limit of quantification was 10 ng/mL. Nine newly described Aspergillus species from various substrates, A. amoenus, A. creber, A. cvjetkovicii, A. fructus, A. jensenii, A. puulaauensis, A. subversicolor, A. tennesseensis and A. venenatus in section Versicolores were found to produce sterigmatocystin. Production was confirmed in recently collected isolates of A. protuberus and A. versicolor. A. austroafricanus and A. tabacinus were not found to produce sterigmatocystin.