Colorimetric determination of patulin produced by Penicillium patulum.

A quantitative method has been developed for the determination of patulin, a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium patulum. The fungus was grown separately in well defined liquid minimal medium, and on rice and bread for 15 days. Patulin was extracted with ethyl ether and determined colorimetrically, using phenylhydrazine hydrochloride. Recovery of pure patulin added to bread and rice was also studied. The lower limit of detection was 1 microgram/g.