Effects of oilseed substrates (ground nyjer and flax seeds) on the growth and Ochratoxin A production byAspergillus carbonarius

Aspergillus carbonariusis one of the major Ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungus. Nyjer and flax seeds are important oilseeds that are used for both human and animal consumption, but they are highly susceptible to fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination. The objectives of this study were to determine the growth and OTA production byA. carbonariuson ground nyjer and flax seeds with water activity levels ranging from 0.82 to 0.98 a(w)at three incubation temperatures (20, 30, 37 degrees C). It was found thatA. carbonariuswas not able to grow on the two types of oilseeds with 0.82 or 0.86 a(w). Also, the fungus was not able to grow on flax seeds with high water activity (0.98 a(w)). The OTA was only detected on flax seed samples with 0.94 a(w)at 20 degrees C. On nyjer seeds, the highest concentration of OTA (271 mu g/kg) was detected from samples with 0.98 a(w)incubated at 20 degrees C for 5 days, while on flax seeds the highest OTA (146 mu g/kg) was found on the seed samples with 0.94 a(w)incubated at 20 degrees C for 15 days. Linear regression models also indicated that 0.98 a(w)was optimal for both fungal growth and OTA production on nyjer seeds. Overall, ground nyjer seed is better than flax seed to support growth and OTA production byA. carbonarius.