title: Production of alternariol and alternariol methyl ether by Alternaria alternata grown on fruits at various temperatures.
abstract: Two toxigenic strains of the fungus Alternaria alternata (ATCC 56836 and ATCC 66868) were grown on surface-disinfected, fresh, ripe fruits and tested for the production of alternariol (AOH) and alternariol methyl ether (AME). Examined fruits included strawberries; red and green seedless grapes; concord grapes; red delicious, golden delicious, and gala apples; and blueberries. After inoculation, fruits were incubated at 4, 10 degrees C, or room temperature (approximately 21 degrees C) for up to 3 weeks. At weekly intervals, duplicate samples were analyzed for AOH and AME by using liquid chromatography. Results indicated that A. alternata and its metabolites were not a major problem in strawberries due to the presence of fast-growing molds like Rhizopus and Botrytis that outgrew and possibly inhibited Alternaria. Both Alternaria strains showed limited growth on apples, although fast-growing molds were not present after surface disinfection; AOH and AME were produced only by the ATCC 56836 strain on the golden delicious and gala varieties, (ranging from <0.1 to 5 microg/g and <0.1 to 14 microg/g for AOH and AME, respectively). Restricted growth of both strains without toxin production occurred in blueberries, whereas moderate growth and AOH (<0.1 to 3,336 microg/g) and AME (<0.1 to 1,716 microg/g) production took place in grapes.
authors: Division of Natural Products, Food and Drug Administration, Washington, DC 20204, USA. vht@cfsan.fda.gov
authors: V H
authors: VH
authors: Tournas
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Stack
mesh_terms: D000528:Alternaria / Q000378:metabolism*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology*; D007783:Lactones / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; C005197:alternariol; C018206:alternariol monomethyl ether