Elimination of the toxic effects of patulin on Bacillus subtilis and B.megaterium by irradiation.

The bacteriological toxicity of patulin irradiated in aqueous solutions was investigated using two strains of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and B.megaterium. The results of the plate cultivation test showed that the growth inhibition of both strains decreased in relation to absorbed dose. A dose of 1.8 kGy was sufficient to eliminate the bacteriological toxicity of patulin at an initial concentration of 125 micrograms/ml. There was good correlation between the concentration of patulin in the irradiated solution as measured spectrophotometrically and that calculated from the diameter of the inhibition zone.