The connection between the Penicillia and Aspergilli and mycotoxins with special emphasis on misidentified isolates.

Species of Penicillium and Aspergillus are the most potent mycotoxin producers, but the connection between species and profiles of mycotoxins has been obscured by many misidentifications of fungal isolates, especially in Penicillium. Available producers of known mycotoxins in the two important genera were examined concerning identity and production of secondary metabolites using thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. 152 isolates of Penicillium were reclassified, leaving the connection between species and mycotoxin profiles much clearer in this genus. Earlier data on mycotoxin production by different taxa were confirmed by analyzing several isolates of each taxon.