Jp. Rao et C. Subramanyam, Requirement of Ca2+ for aflatoxin production: inhibitory effect of Ca2+ channel blockers on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999, LETT APPL M, 28(1), 1999, pp. 85-88
Aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 was inhibited whe
n Ca2+ channel blockers, i.e. verapamil and diltiazem(> 1 mmol l(-1)), were
included in the culture medium. Inhibition was not accompanied by growth i
nhibition, nor was the [C-14]-glucose uptake by the organism altered. Howev
er, both the compounds inhibited [C-14]-acetate incorporation into aflatoxi
n B-1 in a dose-dependent manner and decreased sporulation of the organism.
Even though a nutritional role for Ca2+ has not been demonstrated unequivo
cally in fungi, the present study suggests the importance of Ca2+ in the pr
oduction of these secondary metabolites.