Indian Journal of Science and Technology
DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2008/v1i3/3
Year: 2008, Volume: 1, Issue: 3, Pages: 1-5
Original Article
N. Banu1 , S.Sridhar2 , J. Muthumary3 and R. Rengasamy3
1Vel’s college of science, India
2Pepsico India Ltd., Chennai, India
3Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai – 600 025, India
*Author for the correspondence:
R. Rengasamy
Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany,
University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai – 600 025, India
Aspergillus flavus is the widely reported food-borne fungus and the most important mycotoxin source in the world’s food supplies. A new approach using algae- Spirulina platensis (blue-green alga), Ulva faciata (green alga) and Sargassum wightii (brown alga) was experimented to control the growth of A. flavus and its aflatoxin B1 production. Among the three algae, S. wightii was found as most suitable biocontrolling agent. The optimum biomass concentration of the alga to detoxify the aflatoxin B1 and inhibition of the fungal mycelial growth was worked out in a controlled condition. An algal biomass of 1.8% (in final concentration) of S. wightii effectively eliminated (100%) aflatoxin B1 and total inhibition of the fungal growth of A. flavus was also achieved concomitantly. The experimental results were encouraging for possible application of algal biomass as biocontrolling agent to recuperate aflatoxin contaminated food and feed commodities
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