title: Study of the Effect of Methyl Jasmonate Concentration on Aflatoxin B(1) Biosynthesis by Aspergillus parasiticus in Yeast Extract Sucrose Medium.
abstract: Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) is a carcinogenic metabolite produced by certain Aspergillus species on agricultural commodities. AFB(1) biosynthesis is affected by jasmonic acid and also by its methylester (MeJA), a plant growth regulator derived from linoleic acid. This study reports the effect of MeJA on the growth of A. parasiticus and AFB(1) output in yeast extract sucrose (YES) medium when added at three different concentrations; namely, 10(-2) M, 10(-4) M, and 10(-6) M. AFB(1) determination was performed by immunoaffinity and HPLC. MeJA at 10(-4) and 10(-6) M concentrations had no significant effect on mycelial growth but did affect AFB(1) production after the 7th day of incubation; on the 12th day, AFB(1) production was increased by 212.7% and 141.6% compared to the control samples (addition of 10(-6) M and 10(-4) M MeJA, resp.). Treatment of A. parasiticus cultures with 10(-2) M MeJA inhibited mycelial growth and AFB(1) production as well. These results suggest that the effect of MeJA on AFB(1) biosynthesis by A. parasiticus depends on the MeJA concentration used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zogra-fou, 15784 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dido Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Meimaroglou
authors.forename: Dia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galanopoulou
authors.forename: Panagiota
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Markaki