STACHYBOTRYS ATRA GROWTH AND TOXIN PRODUCTION IN SOME BUILDING-MATERIALS AND FODDER UNDER DIFFERENT RELATIVE HUMIDITIES

Growth of Stachybotrys atra and its toxin production on some building materials and in animal fodder were studied at relative humidities ran ging from 78 to 100%. Toxins were detected by biological assays and ch emical methods. Strong growth of the fungus and presence of macrocycli c trichothecenes, mainly satratoxins G and H, were detected on wallpap er and gypsum boards and in hay and straw at saturation conditions. On pine panels, S. atra grew well, but neither biological toxicity nor p roduction of macrocyclic trichothecenes was observed.