Aflatoxin is Degraded by Fragmented and Intact Mycelia of Aspergillus parasiticus Grown 5 to 18 Days with and without Agitation.

Mycelia of Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 degraded aflatoxins B and G Initially 9-day-old mycelia appeared to effectively degrade both aflatoxins; however, later experiments indicated that rates at which 9-day-old mycelia degraded aflatoxins B and G varied even though the mycelia were produced and evaluated under similar conditions. A comparison of the ratio of rates at which mycelia of different ages degraded aflatoxin B and G suggests that more than one mechanism may be involved in degradation of aflatoxin by the mold. Mycelia produced when incubation was quiescent or with agitation degraded aflatoxins B and G. Fragmenting of mycelia greatly increased their ability to degrade aflatoxin, thus suggesting that the degrading factor(s) is/are intracellular constituent(s) of the mycelium.