Toxicological study of fungi isolated from starches intended for human consumption.

A total of 310 fungal strains isolated from starches intended for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals were tested to determine their toxicity to Brine shrimp (Artemia salina L.) larvae and Bacillus megaterium NRRL 1 366. Of them, 82 proved toxic for both biotests, 173 (82 + 91) toxic for at least one of the tests. The system based on the use of Brine shrimp larvae proved to be the more sensitive of the two assayed. Results are stated also for the different species of each genus.