Effect of diurnal temperature cycles on the production of aflatoxin.

Exposures to short periods of high temperature (40 to 50 C) in each 24-hr diurnal temperature cycle (average temperature ca. 25 C) reduced growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and production and accumulation of the aflatoxins when compared with cultures held continuously at 25 C. In contrast, diurnal cycles with an average temperature of ca. 25 C but with minima as low as 10 C did not appreciably affect either growth or toxin production. The ratio of production of aflatoxin B to aflatoxin G increased as the maximal temperature was raised but remained essentially unchanged with decreasing minimal temperatures.