Semi-industrial methods of production and measurement of aflatoxin in rice media

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most important fungal toxins that can contaminate food and feed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different methods of measurement and production of AF on the rice media for the implementation in the research studies. Reference strains of Aspergillus flavus obtained from fungi collection of the Centre of Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Iran (PTCC NO: 5004 (IR111)) proliferate on Potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and used for in vitro studies. Also, growing fungus was transferred to the rice media for production of AFB1. The results showed that the major environmental factors affecting production of AFB1 in rice cultivation are temperature and incubation conditions (ambient light level). In addition, aflatoxin production under the same humidity conditions in the dark environment with temperature of 24oC reaches to the greatest possible extent. In contrast, the worst circumstances to produce AF, were detected a bright environment with temperature of 40oC. The study revealed that temperature and light are main factors in the production of AF.