Effect of different antioxidants and free radical scavengers on aflatoxin production.

Different antioxidants and free radical scavengers on aflatoxin production are analysed. The different compounds at different concentration were used: buthylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), buthylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), α-tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), reduced glutathione, cysteine, cysteamine. The above compounds were tested in culture ofAspergillus parasiticus supplemented with carbon tetrachloride, a potent stimulating agent of aflatoxin biosynthesis.Cysteamine and BHA highly inhibited the aflatoxin production induced by carbon tetrachloride, the inhibition decreased by lowering the concentration.On the contrary, vitamin E, vitamin C, reduced glutathione and cysteine further enhanced the carbon tetrachloride stimulating effect. The addition of the above compounds did not significantly affect the growth of the fungal mycelia.