The influence of fat and lean tissues of country cured hams on growth of Aspergillus Parasiticus and production of aflatoxin

Experimental studies were undertaken to determine the influence of ham tissue type on growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and production of aflatoxin. There was no detectable aflatoxin produced on lean or fat tissue incubated at 10, 21, or 32 C. for 14 days. This would suggest that ham tissue will not support growth of A. parasiticus or aflatoxin production under these conditions. However, these data do not eliminate the possibility that ham tissue actively inhibits mold growth and toxin production. Therefore, experiments were performed in which ham tissue was added to a control media.Production of aflatoxin in a control nutrient broth was influenced by the presence of ham tissue. A mean of 6.174 µg of aflatoxin was produced in 75 ml of the broth. Incorporation of 5 grams lean tissue increased aflatoxin production to a mean level of 7.862 µg, but incorporation of 5 grams adipose tissue decreased the amount of aflatoxin to 4.044 µg.These data indicate that the lack of aflatoxin production on fat tissue may be the result of inhibition of aflatoxin biosynthesis or dilution of nutrients. The lack of growth on lean tissue is more likely the result of some other presently unknown factor.