Agriculture

Study data from King Faisal University update knowledge of food agriculture and environment

  2009 JUL 2 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "Fourteen Aspergillus flavus and three A. niger strains were isolated from seeds of lupine (Lupinus albus L.), mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), faba bean and field bean (Vicia faba L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris). The aflatoxin production of isolates was tested by two different bioassay methods as measuring the inhibitory effect on okra seed germination and bacterial growth," scientists writing in the Journal of Food Agriculture & Environment report.

  "Toxic effect has different degrees including delay of seed germination, yellowish plant and inhibition of Bacillus subtilis growth. Autoclaving of fungal filtrate, freezing or microwaves has no effect on bacterial growth inhibition. B I and 132 aflatoxins were found in all fungal filtrates with concentrations ranging from 38 to 496 mu g/litre (the permitted limit is 20 mu g/litre), and G I and G2 aflatoxins were also produced by some isolates," wrote A.H.A. Alabdalall and colleagues, King Faisal University.

  The researchers concluded: "Results proved the stability of such toxins."

  Alabdalall and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Food Agriculture & Environment (Production of aflatoxins by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger strains isolated from seeds of pulses. Journal of Food Agriculture & Environment, 2009;7(2):33-39).

  Additional information can be obtained by contacting A.H.A. Alabdalall, King Faisal University, Faculty Science Girls, Dept. of Botany & Microbiology, El Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

  The publisher of the Journal of Food Agriculture & Environment can be contacted at: Wfl Publ, Meri-Rastilantie 3 C, Helsinki, FI-00980, Finland.

  Keywords: Electronics, Microwaves, Food Agriculture and Environment, King Faisal University.

  This article was prepared by VerticalNews Agriculture editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, VerticalNews Agriculture via VerticalNews.com.