Effect of Calcium Propionate and Water Activity on Growth and Aflatoxins Production by Aspergillus flavus

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Abstract
ABSTRACT:  The efficacy of calcium propionate at 2 different doses (0.5% and 1%) against growth and aflatoxins production by Aspergillus flavus (A‐2092) was investigated in vitro on Czapek yeast extract agar at different levels of water activity (a w ) in the range of 0.94 to 0.996a w . A. flavus spores germinated on all calcium propionate and a w treatments; however, 1% calcium propionate at 0.94 a w delayed the germination process for up to 10 d. The growing rate of mycelia was slower (0.28 mm/d) at 1% calcium propionate and 0.94 a w . Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) were also produced minimally (36.1, 1, 1.86, and 1.01 ng/g of media, respectively) at the aforementioned dose rate of calcium propionate and water activity. It was concluded that addition of calcium propionate and a w amelioration can prove effective tools for suppressing the germination, growth rate, and aflatoxins production by A. flavus in substrate.

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