The present study reports on the natural mycobiota occurring in cocoa beans, paying special attention to the incidence of fungal species that are potential producers of mycotoxins. The results show that predominant fungi were different species of the genus Aspergillus belonging to section Flavi and Nigri. Of the 214 strains of Aspergillus section Flavi collected from cocoa beans, 120 were ident...

620 Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains from 472 sick and healthy persons were studied for their adhesive activity (AA) in direct agglutination of trypsin-treated sheep erythrocytes. Toxigenic strains had more active AA than non-toxigenic ones which was not dependent on the presence of toxin in the culture. Neither biotype nor serotype of the strains correlated with their AA. Several lysotypes ...

Fungal infection and mycotoxins contamination in food feed products cause significant economic losses to the agricultural industry. Although efficacy of synthetic fungicides is unquestionable, there are serious issues associated with their application agriculture. Improper and/or prolonged these may emergence resistant fungal populations, carry-over chemicals human diet adverse effects on non-t...

nigella sativa (n. sativa) grows in various parts of the world, particularly in iran. it has been traditionally used as a folk remedy to treat a number of diseases. the seeds of this plant contain moisture, proteins, carbohydrates, crude fiber, alkaloids, saponins, ash, fixed oils and essential oil. the major components of the essential oil are thymoquinone, p-cymene, trans-anethole, 2-methyl-5...

The effects of antimicrobial food additives on growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus sulphureus NRRL 4077 and Penicillium viridicatum NRRL 3711 were investigated. At pH 4.5, growth and toxin production by both A. sulphureus and P. viridicatum were completely inhibited by 0.02% potassium sorbate, 0.067% methyl paraben, 0.0667% methyl paraben, and 0.2% sodium propionate. At pH 5.5, 0....

Plant-derived compounds for reducing the mycotoxin load in food and feed have become a rapidly developing research field of importance for plant breeding efforts and in the search for natural fungicides. In this study, toxigenic strains of Fusarium culmorum and F. graminearum sensu stricto were exposed to sinapic acid on solid YES media at levels close to those reported in wheat bran. Fusaria p...

This is a review of exposure conditions, clinical presentation, and morbidity of children and adults with indoor fungal exposure such as toxic Stachybotrys chartarum. Indoor exposure was characterized using different methods including microscopic, culture, cytotoxicity screening tests, and chemical analyses. Clinical case histories and physical and laboratory findings are presented of children ...