Effect of water activity and temperature on production of aflatoxin and cyclopiazonic acid by Aspergillus flavus in peanuts

It is well known that some isolates of aspergillus flavus are able to produce cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in addition to aflatoxins. CPA producing strains of A. flavus are frequently isolated from substrates such as peanuts and maize, indicating that this toxin could be a common metabolite and thus is likely to be present in some aflatoxin contaminated foods. Natural co-occurrence of both toxins has been detected in peanuts and it has been hypothesized that the presence of both toxins in food and feeds may result in additive or synergistic effects.