USE OF UV PHOTOGRAPHY TO IDENTIFY AFLATOXIN-PRODUCING STRAINS OF ASPERGILLUS-FLAVUS AND ASPERGILLUS-PARASITICUS

UV photography in glucose, yeast extract (GY) agar medium was tested a s a simple and rapid method for the distinction of aflatoxin-positive from aflatoxin-negative strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasitic us. In the UV photographs aflatoxin-producing moulds were identified a s grey or black colonies, whereas aflatoxin-non-producing moulds appea red as white colonies. Of the aflatoxin-positive strains detected by t he UV photographic method, 10% was confirmed by extraction of the GY a gar medium and mould mycelium in chloroform, extracts which were analy sed subsequently using thin-layer chromatography. Confirmation of afla toxigenic strains was achieved by biosynthesis on liquid medium yeast extract sucrose (YES) broth.