INHIBITION OF AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION BY SURFACTANTS

The effect of 12 surfactants on aflatoxin production, growth, and coni dial germination by the fungus Aspergillus flavus is reported. Five no nionic surfactants, Triton X-100, Tergitol NP-7, Tergitol NP-10, polyo xyethylene (POE) 10 lauryl ether, and Latron AG-98, reduced aflatoxin production by % to 99% at 1% (wt/vol). Colony growth was restricted by the five nonionic surfactants at this concentration. Aflatoxin produc tion was inhibited 31 to 53% by lower concentrations of Triton X-100 ( 0.001 to 0.0001%) at which colony growth was not affected. Triton X-30 1, a POE-derived anionic surfactant, had an effect on colony growth an d aflatoxin production similar to that of the five POE-derived nonioni c surfactants. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an anionic surfactant, an d dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, a cationic surfactant, suppressed conidial germination at 1% (wt/vol). SDS had no effect on aflatoxin pr oduction or colony growth at 0.001%. The degree of aflatoxin inhibitio n by a surfactant appears to be a function of the length of the hydrop hobic and hydrophilic chains of POE-derived surfactants.