Morphological changes in strains of Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fries and Aspergillus parasiticus Speare related with aflatoxin production.

Two strains of Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fr. and two strains of A. parasiticus Speare were cultured on crushed moist wheat (Triticum durum var. Pané no. 257) for aflatoxin production studies in correlation with morphological changes. The toxicogenic strains were adapted to the substratum by means of successive transfers at regular intervals (72 h.) The amount aflatoxins synthesized by the toxicogenic strains decreased gradually after succesive subculturing. The decrease was accompanied by marked morphological changes. One of the strains studied, A. flavus NRRL 3251, lost completely the capacity of aflatoxin synthesis after several subcultures, presenting at the same time strong morphological variations. A. flavus CBS 120.62 also lost its toxicogenicity after six subcultures.